Brussels, 20/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in Strasbourg on Tuesday, the men and women who work in the farming and forestry sectors as well as their associations and cooperative societies produced a statement calling on political leaders to take a “firmer position in international negotiations” on trade liberalisation. In order to make the most of the opportunities provided by the world market without undermining the European agricultural policy, political decisions must take account of two factors, the Congress of European farmers states. These factors are: Agriculture is a unique sector which must not be treated in the same way as all the others, and Europe must be able to guarantee its own sovereignty and food security. In order to avoid “paying twice”, farmers expect political leaders to defend a level of access to the European market enabling European farmers to produce while meeting the standards demanded by European citizens. For this reason, no concessions must be made on market access which jeopardise the 2003 reform of the EU's agricultural policy, farmers warn, also saying there must be acknowledgement that the new system of decoupled direct payments in Europe must not distort competition (see EUROPE 9052 for the assurances given by Commissioner Fischer Boel). Also, they say, it would be “unacceptable” for political leaders to make concessions on export support without receiving equivalent compensation from countries which themselves have a pro-active export aid policy. They stress that a proper agreement can only be reached if non-trade concerns are taken into consideration - for instance the protection of geographical indications. European politicians must ensure that Europe's high environmental, hygiene or animal welfare standards are recognised - be this in the context of market access regulations and labelling or with the help of non-distorting public funds. European farmers are keen to continue their concrete efforts to combat global hunger and malnutrition by above all helping farmers from developing countries to increase their production and promote south-south trade.