MAGAZINE - Copa-Cogeca

April 2012 │ 13
the EU, as many different opinions there are on
this issue. The Commission has also made several
attempts to address this – for instance by setting
up the High Level Forum for a better functioning
food supply chain. I am a member of the Forum
and I value the efforts to improve the functioning
of the food supply chain. It is good that business
organisations as Copa-Cogeca are also represented
in the Forum as you actually represent actors in the
food chain.
I believe that balance in the food chain is best
achieved when the initiative to cooperate comes
from the market actors themselves. And in general,
I believe that it is important that we do not create
administratively or economically burdensome
solutions but rather solutions that are efficient and
create results. Above all, I find it very important
that we do not impose mandatory solutions before
we have identified whether there is a problem and
considered any unintended side-effects solutions
might create on the functioning of the internal
market or the free competition. It is central that
we provide the best possible policy framework for
farmers and business to produce sustainably in both
an economic, environmental and social sense.
What do you think of the EU Commissions Rural
Development Policy proposals and what kind of picture
is emerging on this from Ministers
I believe the Commission’s proposal on the Rural
Development policy has been a good starting
point for our ongoing discussions. However, it is
clear that many Member States wish for a more
simple framework, both from an administrative
perspective, and for the beneficiaries of the
different rural development schemes.
On the same line, it is my impression that Member
States would like to see a framework regulation
with more flexibility to programme funds towards
regional and/or local challenges. As opposed to the
direct payments, the RDP is intended to support
targeted initiatives. As the EU has expanded to 27
Member States, the challenges that the individual
countries face will obliviously vary. I especially
believe the instruments for environmental
measures needs to be strengthened and it should
be possible to support the implementation of other
policies, such as the Water Framework Directive
and Natura 2000.
Further, we need to make the next RDP future
proof. Europe is in a transitional phase, where
we have to prepare our economies for the future
challenges in a globalised world economy.
Therefore the new RDP should contain enough
flexibility and vision to support a green transition
of the European economies. This would benefit
both the environment, job creation and growth.
What sort of proposals do you want or expect to see
from European Parliament on the future CAP, especially
concerning greening
It is difficult to predict, but I think there will be a call
for more flexibility for Member States compared to
the present proposal.
When do you think an agreement can be reached on
the CAP reform package
It is very difficult to predict when we will reach
an agreement but most likely during the Irish
Presidency. For the first time an agricultural reform
will also depend on the process in the European
Parliament. This is decisive and at the same time
new to us in the Council for agriculture –and it
will of cause influence the decision process. One
thing is sure – we are working very hard on making
progress on the reform proposals in order to
advance as quickly as possible.