Brussels, 16/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - EU agriculture ministers will meet from Sunday 20-Tuesday 22 May in Mainz, the capital of the German land of Rhineland-Palatinate, to discuss the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and a number of sectors currently undergoing reform (wine, fruit and vegetables). German Agriculture Minister Horst Seehofer will chair discussions at this informal meeting, which will be attended by Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Mariann Fischer-Boel.
Sunday and Monday will be given over to various receptions and visits to farms. The following day, ministers will hold their working meeting which will be devoted to challenges to be met by rural regions. Just as at their previous informal meeting in Finland (see EUROPE 9273), member states are expected to set out their differences on the improvements to be brought to the CAP in 2008 and 2009, during the health check on this policy and the mid-term review of the EU budget as a whole (receipts and expenses, including agriculture). In addition, behind the scenes, ministers will be able to discuss matters of importance at the moment, such as the reform of the fruit and vegetable sector (a political agreement is expected in June), and the wine sector (the Commission will adopt its legislative proposal on 4 July).
What roles will farmers play in the next ten years? How should our rural regions develop? What changes are desirable to better align the CAP with the challenges faced by people in rural regions? These are the main questions ministers will be asked to answer on Tuesday 22 May in the debate on conditions of life in Europe's rural regions (“Foster diversity, quality and innovation”). To inform the discussion, the German presidency has set out a number of principles in a discussion document.
Future challenges in rural regions. After noting that rural regions are the soul of Europe, the document says that agriculture, forestry and fisheries only have a long-term future in lively rural regions. These sectors live from their integration with the local region, its economy and its social connections. “This is a core element of the European farming model and this a central concern in the Common Agricultural Policy,” the presidency says.
A CAP for growth, employment, quality and environmental mitigation. At the start of the 21st century, the economic outlook for sustainable farming, forestry and fisheries is good, say the authors of the document, who state, too, that, in rural belts surrounding conurbations, demand for services comprising landscape conservation, leisure, recreation and environmental mitigation will increase. The presidency also believes that security of supply continues to be vital to Europe, including through increased use of renewable resources. Burgeoning global demand for food and renewable resources also presents European farming with export opportunities.
The document encourages the EU and member states to give greater, active support to the development and transfer of knowledge and to investment in research and education. “Innovation needs a more predictable legal environment and less red tape.” Additionally, the state should, the presidency says, set limits in the form of standards for food safety, the environment and animal protection. When environmental or animal protection standards exceed international levels, European farmers “rightly expect appropriate safeguards”.
The new rural paradigm. The OECD describes a “new rural paradigm” in a 2006 report of the same name. This report stresses regions rather than sectors, and investment rather than subsidy. “Instead of using state aid to even out regional disparities, increasing numbers of countries within and outside the OECD are targeting improvements in regional competitiveness”.
Fruit and vegetables and renewable resources on agenda at SCA
The Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) will also meet in Mainz on Monday 21 May to discuss a number of technical aspects of the reform of the fruit and vegetable sector. The Agriculture Council intends to conclude its discussions of this matter at its next meting in Luxembourg on 11 June. In addition, the SCA experts will discuss the industrial use of renewable resources. (lc)