EP debate about the direct support schemes to farmers
MEPs debated the common rules for direct support schemes for farmers at the July 3rd plenary session of the European Parliament. The subject was put on the agenda of the plenary after a favourable vote from the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
DAHR’s MEP Csaba Sógor expressed his point of view in a written statement. The Hungarian MEP from Transylvania suggested that the EU’s system of direct support schemes to farmers needs to change along with the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. The efficiency of payments has to be increased, while unnecessary bureaucratic burdens must be diminished.
Csaba Sógor made reference to the low quality of life among the farmers of the new member states and stated that agricultural production in the Central and Eastern European member states of the EU depends on maintaining the current level of direct payments.
Here follows the MEP’s statement:
“There is a wide consensus in Europe that the system of direct support schemes to farmers needs to undergo changes along with the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. It seems that we agree on the fact that we need to increase the efficiency of the direct payments and to free producers from unnecessary administrative burdens. Nevertheless, I would like to call attention to the fact that these payments – even if they require a substantial amount of resources – still represent the driving force behind our agricultural policy. This is even more true in the case of new member states, where life standards of producers are very poor and where a decrease in funding would have a negative effect on the region’s agriculture. I think that Europe needs to realize that the vitality of agriculture in its Eastern part is largely dependent on the current level of direct subsidies.”
Csaba Sógor made reference to the low quality of life among the farmers of the new member states and stated that agricultural production in the Central and Eastern European member states of the EU depends on maintaining the current level of direct payments.
Here follows the MEP’s statement:
“There is a wide consensus in Europe that the system of direct support schemes to farmers needs to undergo changes along with the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. It seems that we agree on the fact that we need to increase the efficiency of the direct payments and to free producers from unnecessary administrative burdens. Nevertheless, I would like to call attention to the fact that these payments – even if they require a substantial amount of resources – still represent the driving force behind our agricultural policy. This is even more true in the case of new member states, where life standards of producers are very poor and where a decrease in funding would have a negative effect on the region’s agriculture. I think that Europe needs to realize that the vitality of agriculture in its Eastern part is largely dependent on the current level of direct subsidies.”
