*** FLOOR BROUWERS, JAN VAN DER STRAATEN (Editors): Nature and Agriculture in the European Union. New perspectives on Policies that shape the European Countryside. Edward Elgar Publishing (Glensanda House, Montpellier Parade, Cheltenham, Glos, GL50 1UA, United Kingdom. Tel: (44-1242) 226934 - fax: 262111 - E-mail: info@e-elgar.co.uk - Internet: http: //http://www.e-elgar.com ). "Current Issues in Ecological Economics" series. 2002, 289 p.. ISBN 1-84064-235-1.
"Ecology" initially signified the study of the links uniting the different parameters of the ecosystems. As a result, the sometimes erroneous use of the term means that its has lost some of its power and this phenomenon continues. This book attempts to provide a synthesis of the double link uniting nature on the one hand (in the sense of wildlife and natural, and in opposition to factors sometimes left by the wayside of agriculture) and agriculture (farming carried out by humans). This synthesis also examines the economy and ecology (in the political sense of the term), by way of the pressures exercised by mankind in its quest for rationalisation and optimisation of resources, as well as through man's more or less organised attempts to master its impact on earth.
This approach characterised by the "links" between the different factors of evolution is where the strength of this book lies. It traces the schemas and trajectories, demonstrating the causes - and to a lesser extent, some of the causalities - linking the different phenomena, such as demographic pressure, the increase in price of certain kinds of land, the nutritional facilities for cattle, the various chemical supplements, socio-demographic developments, life styles, together with the resulting effects of which we are aware or which we discover: soil erosion, formerly cultivated land or even regions left abandoned, reforestation, intensification of modes of farming, the dramatic and historical losses in bio-diversity, massive losses of fish and other species, global warming etc. As many different phenomena presented in a normal These phenomena are usually described out of the context that gives rise to and nourished them. Here the effects of the agricultural polices (national and Community) on tourism, fisheries, resources for drinking water, food and other aspects of human life, such as cultural and aesthetic are described.
Painting a picture that is interesting of what Europe used to be like, geographically an historically, the authors reveal a continent that was highly agricultural and very different from France and the Benelux countries, which were already the wheat baskets of Rome. In this part of the continent, the great majority of the landscape is above all the result of the work by human beings, since the Neolithic period, with the marginal exception of land that was too difficult, too arid and too cold or high, such as marshland ice fields and mountain ranges. The customs, knowledge and means available (in constant and accelerated evolution), meant that an intensive use of labour to deal with the symbiosis of nature, encouraged farmers to gradually turn to modes of production that needed less human labour an more capital. This trend also meant more dependency on macro-economic instruments and in the occurrence, more effects on the natural environment, in terms of waste and use of available natural resources. This has reached such a level that governments in the Union have had to deal with serious funding problems in a sector that is cut off from its natural hinterland, namely nature, which it was supposed to domesticate in perfect harmony. The issue of funding signifies attempting to mitigate the systematic destruction of the environment, destruction has been caused by or has been in the name of previous policies.
This picture is not at all reduced to a description of impending natural disaster. The graphs provided, pit evolutionary trends (what will happen if nothing is done to change the current situation) against developments that are planned, observed or sought, in light of proven awareness by the European authorities in this connection.
Pascal Burgeon
*** KARL BRUCKMEIER, WIKING EHLERT (Editors): The Agri-Environmental Policy of the European Union. The Implementation of the Agri-environmental Measures within the Common Agricultural Policy in France, Germany, and Portugal. Verlag Peter Lang (15 Jupiterstrasse, CH-3000 Bern 15. Tel./fax: (41-131) 9402131 - Internet: http://www.peterlang.de ). “Work-Technology-Organization-Society” series, No. 11. 2002, 256 pp.. ISBN 3-631-37512-3.
The integration of environmental considerations in a green Europe was one of the leitmotivs of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy of 1992. This book presents some of the different sociological terrains in which these reforms took place, as well as the attitudes and reactions of those involved in Europe, above all in France, Germany and Portugal where 600 farmers were interviewed. The results demonstrate that more effort is needed by the authorities if the more "environmentalist" direction of policies applied are not just going to end up being significantly marginalised in relation to the overall effort made by the different parties. Aspects such as the industrialisation of farms, with their subsequent de-connection as a corollary, their decisive role in managing nature, as well as the increasing influence of the urban intelligentsia, by way of reforms being worked out, are also discussed.
The authors initially tackle the general European context, before examining studies carried out in France, Germany and Portugal, before looking at the following themes in each country: the national dimension of the environment, the social context in which agriculture is developed, regional aspects or those in the different provinces, together with the respective influences of these regions on national and European authorities and the attitudes of the farmers vis-à-vis of the measures taken or to be taken etc. All these themes are studied, taking into account the cultural and sociological aspects instead of purely rational and analytical. The overall analysis is followed by conclusions that tend to go in the direction already cited, but with some exceptions left to discover in the rest of the book, mainly in the very interesting fifth part, which provides a comparative analysis of the three countries examined closely through the investigation.
(PBu)
*** FRANCOIS GUILLAUME: Les négociations agricoles à l'Organisation mondiale du commerce. Pour une OMC respectueuse de la diversité des modèles agricoles. Délégation pour l'Union européenne de l'Assemblée nationale (Kiosque de l'Assemblée nationale, 4 rue Aristide Briand 75007, F-75007 Paris. Internet: http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr ) "Les documents d'information de l'Assemblée nationale"series, 598. 2003, 161 pp. 5 euros. ISBN 2-11-116447-X.
Although new negotiations to liberalise agricultural trade are continuing at the WTO, the author of this report, the former French Minister of Agriculture, criticises the fact that there is a "witch hunt" going on in the context of the Common Agricultural Programme. Without getting lost in the 45 years of agricultural exception, which ended at the end of 1994 with the Marrakech Agreement, François Guillaume MP points out that faced with the false image of the "good American student" who receives massive aid for farming, the Cairns group, which calls for integral liberalisation of agricultural trade, the developing countries seeking to be exempted from any kind of discipline in agricultural trade, which is in danger of creating "a tow-speed" WTO, Europe is arguing for wider ranging and more balanced negotiations. Having to confront a common front, which, according to the authors, launches dishonest attacks, the Commission has proposed agricultural reform with which France is unable to agree. "The agricultural model is in danger", affirms the French MP and it thus follows that a European attitude that "takes the offensive" to promote, via the southern countries, WTO recognition of the "agricultural exception", is required so that every country is able to chose and protect its agricultural model.
(MLJ)
*** PIERRE PIGNOT: Les Anglais confrontés à la politique agricole commune. L'Harmattan (5-7 rue de l'Ecole Polytechnique, F-75005 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 40467920 - fax: 43258203). "Acteurs de la science" series. 2002, 171 p., 15 euros. ISBN: 2-74-75-2971-1.
The route taken by Pierre Pignot leads him towards taking an overall approach when it came to the issue of farming. When he joined DG "Agriculture" in 1961, he already had good experience of trade unionism within the sphere of British agriculture and it was in this perspective that he saw the arrival of the United Kingdom to the European Community. This event upset the Franco-German relationship. The author "critically but with some admiration, examines the negotiation methods" of the new arrivals. With this eye-witness account, he gives us a taste of the farming world of the Europe of Six, of those who are presented as being part of "the most European profession of all".
(AD)
*** DIDIER QUENTIN: Vers une nouvelle Europe bleue. Pour une pêche écologiquement responsable et économiquement viable. Délégation pour l'Union européenne de l'Assemblée nationale (see address attached). "Les documents d'information de l'Assemblée nationale" series, No. 344. 2002, 46 pp, 3.50 euros. ISBN 2-11-116259-X.
With 6.7 millions tonnes a year, the Union is the second fishing power in the world. The fishing and fish farming sectors, are, without a shadow of a doubt, an important source of income and jobs for many people in the coastal regions. Nonetheless, the Common Fisheries Policy only represents 0.84% of the Community budget. French MEP Didier Quentin does not like this situation. He likes the reforms being hatched by the Commission on this basis, even less. In this report, he explains that "unjustified gloom-mongering" characterises the policy on fish stocks. The most recent studies on resources appear to suggest that he is wrong in his diagnosis. Nevertheless he manages to provide us with other insights into reforms in this domain.
(LD)
*** THIERRY MARIANI: L'Europe de la navigation aérienne peut-elle prendre son envol ? Délégation pour l'Union européenne de l'Assemblée nationale (see address attached). "Les documents d'information de l'Assemblée nationale" series, No. 392. 2002, 74 p., 3,50 euros. ISBN 2-11-116491-7.
Prompted by the need to increase the effectiveness of the navigation systems in European Union Member States, in an effort to create "a Europe of aerial navigation", this information report examines papers presented by the European Commission as part of the "single European sky package". They aim to correct the dysfunctional aspects of the European navigation systems. Although the different European aerial navigation system have a comparable level of safety, the fact that they are divided up means that they are less productive and profitable than the system in the US.
Thierry Mariani uncovers and comments on the Commission proposals and highlights three major shortcomings. Firstly, he looks at the encroachment on the sovereignty of the states. He then looks at the contradiction between Community jurisprudence and the mechanisms for encouraging economic performance and liberalisation of certain sectors such as the meteorological service. He also highlights the ambiguities affecting the role of Eurocontrol. The rapporteur illustrates some of the solutions to these problems, contained in the draft resolution from the French National Assembly.
(FR)
*** GUY LENGAGNE, DIDIER QUENTIN: De l'Erika au Prestige: la politique européenne de la sécurité maritime contrariée. Délégation pour l'Union européenne de l'Assemblée nationale (see address attached). "Les documents d'information de l'Assemblée nationale" series, no 644. 2003, 194 pp, 5 euros. ISBN 2-11-116625-1.
The Prestige disaster could have been avoided if Member States had followed a series of draconian proposals made by the Commission. The first part of the report contains the measures and reasons for which they were ignore. The second part illustrates the future for maritime safety in Europe.
(LN)
*** CHRISTIAN PHILIP: Vers un espace ferroviaire européen ? Délégation pour l'Union européenne de l'Assemblée nationale (se address attached). "Les documents d'information de l'Assemblée nationale" series, no. 711. 2003, 58 p., 3,50 euros. ISBN 2-11-116610-3.
A common agreement on behalf of the Parliament and Commission encouraged an acceleration of the opening up to competition of the national and international freight transport networks. Parliament also recognised that the European Railway Agency would have exclusive competency. According to Christian Philip, the agency will "play a central role in the construction of the future integrated railway area". It will also become a supranational body of the European Union. The report therefore examines the second railway package adopted by the Council last December. the author welcomes the measures that have been taken. These measures take into account the need for revitalising European railways. In this perspective, an increase in rights granted to authorised candidates been adopted. This initiative private companies to use available railway services. The goal is also to harmonise safety rules at a European level. Nevertheless, France disagrees with these decisions. It is worried about the participation of certain private bodies that fail to provide all the guarantees for safety on the railways. This report examines the construction of a European railway area. the author also reveals some of the stakes at play and the reasons why France is expected to accept the measures that have been taken. These measures have the makings of a genuine common railway transport policy.
(OWYK)
*** EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985 Luxembourg. Internet: http: //publications.eu.int) has published the following documents:
*** Consolidated Treaties. 2003, 184 pp, 20 euros.
This book looks at the consolidated versions of the treaty on the European Union and the treaty institutionalising the European Community as laid down in the Treaty of Nice, which entered into force on 1st February this year. It also contains the four protocols adopted at Nice (enlargement, statute of the Court of Justice, protocol on the financial consequences of the Ceca Treaty and the coal and steel research funds, the protocol to Article 67 of the Community treaty). The texts are unedited and without comments.
*** Inforegio panorama. DG Regional Policy (Fax: (32-2) 2966003 - E-mail: regio-info@cec.eu.int - Internet: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/regional_policy/index_fr.htm). March 2003, No. 9, 15 pp.
Published in five languages (German, English, Spanish, French and Italian) and available in the eleven languages of the Union on the Internet, this edition of the publications includes an interview with Göran Ekström, president of the European Association for regional development agencies. There is also an article on the "Peace" programme for reconciliation and peace in the north of Ireland, to which a paper is attached on co-operation between a city in the north of Ireland and a city in the Irish Republic. The Czech Republic and the Norte region in Portugal are also examined.
*** Monthly bulletin. European Central Bank (Postfach 160319, D-60066 Frankfurt am Main. Tel: (49-69) 13440 - fax: 13446000 - Internet: http: //http://www.ecb.int ). April 2003, 112 pp. ISBN 92-78-40126-9.
This monthly report from the European Central Bank analyses the economic situation in the Euro-zone. It focuses on the changes in the monetary and financial sectors, developments affecting prices, the labour market and the balance of payments, monetary operations and share movements, inflation, the ageing population etc. Statistics also accompany the publication.
*** Südosteuropa Mitteilungen. Südosteuropa-Gesellschaft (49 Widenmayerstrasse, D-80538 München. Tel: (49-89) 212154-0 - fax: 2289469 - E-mail: suedosteuropa-gesellschaft@t-online.de - Internet: http: //http://www.iom.int ). 2003, No. 1, 113 pp,10 euros. Subscription: 50 euros.
This issue of this well-known German publication focuses on Turkey and its possible accession to the Union and its position in the Iraqi conflict. There are also articles on tourism and ecology in the Dalmatians, the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Herman Gross etc.
*** Paneuropa intern. Paneuropa-Union Deutschland (17 Dachauer Strasse, D-80335 München. Tel: (49-89) 554683 - fax: 594768). March 2003, No. 4, 4 pp. Subscription: 95 euros.
In this issue, Otto von Habsburg poses the question of a calming down in the Caucasus. European collaboration in the Balkans is also tackled.
*** IOM News. International Organisation for Migration (PO box 71, CH-1211 Geneva 19. Tel: (41-22) 7179111 - fax: 7986150 - E-mail: info@iom.int - Internet: http: //http://www.iom.int ). March 2003, 20 pp..
Also published in French and Spanish (and available on the internet site), this magazine focuses on subjects that include child slavery in the Ghanaian peach orchards, the future for former child soldiers in Uganda and the promotion of an image of immigrants that is free from stereotypes and prejudice.
*** Focus on Flanders. Uitgeverij Lannoo (97 Kasteelstraat, B-8700 tielt. Tel: (32-51) 424299 - fax: 401152 - E-mail: frank.vandecaveye@lanno.be).5-11 April 2003, No. 14, 8 p. Subscription: 220 euros.
This English language weekly provides a selection of articles from the Belgian Dutch speaking press. One of the articles looks at a possible conflict between Flemish environmental policy and European rules on competition.
*** Belgium-Russia. 150th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Belgian Embassy in Moscow.
This commemorative brochure a chronological frieze of events beginning in 1830, the year of the Kingdom of Belgium's birth to the present day. The essential elements of relations between the two countries are reviewed, including "Tintin in the Soviet Union".