09/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - Europe must regulate the agriculture sector and give the Regions real room for political manoeuvre. That, in short, is what came out of a debate on the common agriculture policy (CAP) held in Brussels on Wednesday 8 October on the initiative of four regions from the west of France (Bretagne, Pays de la Loire, Poitou-Charentes and Basse-Normandie). These regions want: - a regulatory power at European level; - EU food independence; - agricultural activity that is financially attractive, diversified and eco-friendly; - the rural development pillar to be purely agricultural and agri-food; - a CAP that puts the promotion of quality and focus on the regions at its heart. The four regions claim that 20 agricultural holdings go under every second in Europe. (L.C./transl.rt)