Brussels, 26/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - Presenting his draft report in Brussels on Tuesday 26 April on how the common agricultural policy (CAP) can improve job creation in rural areas, MEP Éric Andrieu (S&D, France) called for “democratisation” of the policy.
Andrieu, who is the deputy chair of the European Parliament's agriculture committee, says that the CAP reform of 2013 has not created jobs. The second pillar (rural development) has helped diversify economic activities in rural areas. However, the first pillar, which accounts for 80% of CAP spending and includes direct aid and market measures, has “at best, helped to slow the disappearance of small farms and to maintain some jobs but has not created any”.
In promoting intensification of production, the CAP “has had a negative impact on employment in rural areas”, in Andrieu's view. In his draft report, he calls on the member states of the EU to implement a comprehensive generational renewal strategy, supporting young farmers and family-run farms. He also raises the issue of a new social contract with country areas. Andrieu's report will be put to the vote in committee on 14 July. The plenary session vote is scheduled for September, in Strasbourg. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)