Brussels launches a “strategic dialogue” with the agricultural sector

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Farmers are sitting at the table. This Thursday the European Commission opened a “Strategic Dialogue” on the Future of Agriculture., The coincidence comes at a time of growing anger in the region, which has spread to several member states.

Ursula von der Leyen has brought together about thirty organizations spanning the entire food chain. For the Chairman of the Commission, it is an important meeting To send a message to farmers just months before the European elections. “Europe has the healthiest and highest quality food in the world. Our farmers work daily in a very competitive global market, and you are often the weakest part of the value chain. And of course you deserve fair remuneration.”The President has given assurance.

Dissatisfaction over the Green Deal is increasing

This is the first contact, although meetings will continue through the summer. Farmers’ income, sustainable development of the sector and competitiveness of livestock farmers and producers. These are some of the topics that will be discussed.

EU environmental standards and competition in global markets are some of its main concerns. To the Chairman of COGECA, one of the leading organizations in the sector, The solution should not be unique. “Farmers today are under a lot of pressure. And they need a change from this top-down approach, which I think we’ve seen, to a more bottom-up approach and there’s no one solution to that. I think it’s important That there’s more money, more basic support and less regulations,” he defended.

The Commission considers that the E.U. 4 million farms have been lost in 10 years. The goal is to chart a clear path for the future of the region. “It won’t provide solutions tomorrow or the day after,” said Peter Meidendorp, president of the European Council of Young, CEJA. “But I think it has the perspective of creating a movement to articulate what agriculture should be like in 2050.” ” Farmer.

Result What emerged from the elections should be analyzed by the European Commission June, Middendrop believes. “So that young farmers can choose: OK, do we want to stay in this field or not, or am I going to do a different job that will probably pay more with less work?” he explained.

next month, Commission to present its climate objectives for 2040, It would be a good time for farmers to see what path the Community Executive takes.