The strategic dialogue on the future of EU agriculture must not focus solely on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP); it should also address future challenges, such as the forthcoming enlargement of the EU and prospects for rural areas, EU Member States said during the meeting of the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) on Monday 15 January.
The SCA prepared for the debates of the ‘Agriculture’ Council on 23 January on the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture, a dialogue which will shortly be launched by the European Commission.
The delegations also stressed the need, in this discussion, to send a message of stability to farmers and to avoid controversial discussions on sustainability. Other issues raised included crisis management, the importance of R&D and the need for generational renewal.
The Belgian Presidency of the EU Council intends to structure the ministers’ debate with a note containing three questions: - How can EU farmers continue to supply food while generating a decent income on a sustainable basis? - What are the key themes of this strategic dialogue? - What are the expected results?
The precise date of the dialogue and the list of participants will be set shortly, according to the Commission (see EUROPE 13322/7). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)