Brussels, 02/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - The professional organisations and agricultural cooperatives of the EU (COPA and COGECA) have expressed their deep concern about prospects on the rice market in the European Union by 2006 and beyond. They noted the European Commission's determination to "maintain rice production in the EU". As the last reform proposal in this sector (presented in June 2000) fell into disuse after the adoption of the "Everything but Arms" initiative in favour of the less developed countries (providing for the gradual phasing-out of duties from 2006 to 2009), the services under Commissioner Franz Fischler will be proposing review of the current regime at the time of the mid-term revision of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Proposals on mid-term revision are expected in June this year.
COPA and COGECA consider that the competitiveness of the sector and market opening have "a price". The EU must not forget that CAP gives it the task of ensuring equitable living conditions for its farming population", say the farming organisations, which recall that the average European rice farm is smaller than 16 hectares.