Brussels, 02/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The president of the Auvergne region, René Souchon, is also the Committee of the Regions (CoR) rapporteur on common agricultural policy (CAP). In a press release dated 27 June last, he expressed surprise at the agreement obtained on CAP reform and said that it was “only a partial agreement that did not resolve essential questions”. (Interview by Lucie Marnas/transl.fl)
Agence Europe (AE) - The agreement has been welcomed but you argue it has enormous shortcomings …
René Souchon (RS) - The worst is the lackof any real regulation. The end of milk quotas, for example, with no other regulatory mechanism, spells disaster for producers in difficult zones. The Americans allow milk production restrictions when prices fall… but Europe, no, it doesn't want that.
(AE) - Key questions have been delayed until the overall decision on the financial framework …
(RS) - There is nothing on capping. We're going to continue giving money to an extremely small number of agricultural operators to the disadvantage of several million others. There is not a single word either on external convergence or aid between states. The transfer of aid from the second pillar (rural development) to the first (direct aid) is an aberration because the amounts allocated to rural development are still notoriously too low. It is a step forward because the CAP will be a little more distributive and greening is a positive point but it is not enough.
(AE) - When a budgetary agreement is concluded, how can these subjects be reintroduced?
(RS) - This is going to be very difficult and we are moving towards conflict between Parliament, the Commission and heads of state. It's bound to drag on. They will find a compromise but whether this will be good or not we'll have to wait and see.