Brussels, 30/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - Unlike farming organisations (EUROPE of 28 June 2003, p.17), the Confederation of the food and drink industries of the EU (CIAA) has stated in a press release that the agreement on reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) will serve the interests of the sector and improve the EU's position in negotiations at the WTO. The CIAA believes that "WTO trade partners will now have to make a step towards a possible compromise". It believes that the latitude provided by this reform in the Doha Development Agenda "should be used by European negotiators only in exchange for equivalent concessions from WTO partners".
The provisions retained on decoupling of aid "represent a decisive step towards opening of the European agricultural sector to market forces", the organisation writes, pointing out that changes made to the initial provisions (total decoupling) "are a response from the Council to the concerns of certain sectors about the impact on their raw material supply". The CIAA notes, however, that the Council's relatively complex result "is unlikely to bring the expected simplification of agricultural policy instruments". It is pleased that the payment of decoupled aid will be linked to the respect of EU standards and good agricultural conditions, and supports the reinforcement of rural development measures. "The agreement reached by EU Ministers response to the long-term objective of the agri-food industry, to promote a competitive, efficient and more sustainable agriculture in Europe", said CIAA president, Jean Martin.