CIAA continues to back CAP

The CIAA, otherwise known as the voice of the European food and drink industry, this week clearly expressed its support for legislative proposals that would reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Using the joint CAP and Rural Development Advisory Committees that took place on Tuesday as a podium, the CIAA recalled its broad agreement with the principle of further decoupling support from production. But the group acknowledged that a number of federations and sectors are concerned about the total deletion of the existing link between direct support and production because of the impact this would have on farming and, in turn, on their supply of raw materials. With this in mind, the CIAA warned the committees that a certain degree of market regulation might be necessary to avoid severe market imbalances. At the same time the body confirmed its support for making the payment of decoupled aid dependent on the rules defined at Community level and good farming practices. 'This will reinforce consumer confidence vis-à-vis the conditions for the production of Community raw materials, which are processed into foodstuffs,' wrote the CIAA in a statement this week. On the subject of Europe's current buzzword - sustainability - the CIAA said that it welcomed the reinforcement of rural development measures while at the same time regretting the fact that following 'the decision taken at the Brussels Summit to fix the budget for market measures and direct payments for 2007-2013, the Commission has had to lower the amounts allocated to rural development'.

CIAA continues to back CAP

The CIAA, otherwise known as the voice of the European food and drink industry, this week clearly expressed its support for legislative proposals that would reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Related Topics