Brussels, 12/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - Opening the Agriculture Fair (Space) in Rennes, France, Nicolas Sarkozy, French President, called on Tuesday 11 September for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to be recast. He promised that the French EU Council presidency during the second half of 2008 would work on modernising the policy which, as it stands, cannot, in his view, “meet the challenges of the post 2013 period”.
The French president said a response to the new objectives of the policy would not be found in a “technical discussion (Ed: to be conducted in 2008) in the context of the CAP review on the famous single farm payment system, decoupling or aid modulation”. He did not hesitate to criticise the content of the current debates held by EU member states with the European Commission. “By dint of stuffing the CAP with incomprehensible terms, no-one has any ambition left”, he said. According to Sarkozy, the “recasting” of the CAP is indispensable for making the policy legitimate once more. He said he wished to prepare “a new political framework for our agriculture in Europe” during French EU presidency (in less than one year's time). In his view, the CAP must meet four objectives: ensure independence and food safety in Europe, contribute to the world food balance, safeguard the balance of rural regions, and take part in combating climate change and improving the environment.
To meet such challenges, the CAP must be established on an unquestionable principle of Community preference, which covers renewed aims, tools and an ambitious budget, the French president explained. He promised to be “intransigent” on the matter during the next EU discussions on the Community budget. Furthermore, he called on the Commission to set in place, without delay, a permanent risk and health/climate crisis management mechanism in the agricultural sector. He also urged for the creation of an intervention fund on health (for example, to meet the concerns caused by bluetongue in sheep) and also for strengthening health controls on European Union borders.
France and WTO. In favour of relaunching negotiations, Nicolas Sarkozy nonetheless warned that he would be “firmly opposed” to any agreement within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that does not serve the interests of France. The president of the French Republic invited other powers (Argentina, Brazil, China and India) to show “reciprocity” in trade negotiations.
Presenting defence of the environment as a daily concern of farmers, Sarkozy considered a new plan for reducing the use of pesticides and fertilisers was essential. He also said he wanted a “real plan for optimal use of biomass” (plant waste). (lc)