Sógor: The common agricultural policy should take into account the specific needs of each member state
Sógor: The common agricultural policy should take into account the specific needs of each member stateThe Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union does not deal adequately with the problems that result from the differently structured agricultures of the member states that joined the EU after 2004 – pointed out DAHR MEP Csaba Sógor during the debate regarding the future of small agricultural holdings that took place within the Strasbourg plenary session on Monday.
In his speech the DAHR MEP pointed out that Romania is in a particularly difficult position, as 48,5 percent of the agricultural holdings under 2 hectares and 43 percent of the ones under 5 hectares are situated in Romania. The own initiative rapport of polish EPP MEP Czeslław Adam Siekierski on the future of small agricultural holdings was presented during the plenary session of the European Parliament from the 3rd of February. The MEPs voted on the report the day after.
MEPs acknowledged that the situation of the small agricultural holdings in the European Union is getting worse with the crisis. The report makes a reference to the resolution of the EP adopted in 2010, entitled Fair revenues for farmers: A better functioning food supply chain in Europe, which urges supporting regional development and the social aspect of the agricultural model.
The rapporteur stressed the need for the EU to develop a strategy for supporting small agricultural holdings, the goal of which should not be to reduce the number of these holdings through restructuration, especially when the General Assembly of the United Nations declared the year 2014 the International Year of Family Farming.
The speech of the MEP can be read below or viewed here:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getVod.do?mode=unit&language=HU&vodId=1391461061142
“I have to agree with the rapporteur when he says we do not handle the issue of small agricultural holdings and semi-subsistence farms adequately in the Common Agricultural Policy, The agricultural structures of the countries that joined the EU after 2004 is very different than the ones from the old member states. My country is in an especially difficult position, as 48.5 percent of the agricultural holdings under 2 hectares and 43 percent of the ones under 5 hectares are situated in Romania. If we look at the semi-subsistence farms, the situation is even worse: 61.5 percent of all such holdings within the EU are in Romania, and they make up 93 percent of all Romanian agricultural holdings. It is safe to say that if we solely focus on structural reorganisation, the Romanian agriculture will not be able to develop. If we do not pay attention to the historic and economic specificities of member states we jeopardise the competitiveness of the whole sector and the livelihood of farmers already struggling to make ends meet.”
MEPs acknowledged that the situation of the small agricultural holdings in the European Union is getting worse with the crisis. The report makes a reference to the resolution of the EP adopted in 2010, entitled Fair revenues for farmers: A better functioning food supply chain in Europe, which urges supporting regional development and the social aspect of the agricultural model.
The rapporteur stressed the need for the EU to develop a strategy for supporting small agricultural holdings, the goal of which should not be to reduce the number of these holdings through restructuration, especially when the General Assembly of the United Nations declared the year 2014 the International Year of Family Farming.
The speech of the MEP can be read below or viewed here:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getVod.do?mode=unit&language=HU&vodId=1391461061142
“I have to agree with the rapporteur when he says we do not handle the issue of small agricultural holdings and semi-subsistence farms adequately in the Common Agricultural Policy, The agricultural structures of the countries that joined the EU after 2004 is very different than the ones from the old member states. My country is in an especially difficult position, as 48.5 percent of the agricultural holdings under 2 hectares and 43 percent of the ones under 5 hectares are situated in Romania. If we look at the semi-subsistence farms, the situation is even worse: 61.5 percent of all such holdings within the EU are in Romania, and they make up 93 percent of all Romanian agricultural holdings. It is safe to say that if we solely focus on structural reorganisation, the Romanian agriculture will not be able to develop. If we do not pay attention to the historic and economic specificities of member states we jeopardise the competitiveness of the whole sector and the livelihood of farmers already struggling to make ends meet.”
