A radical CAP reform is necessary but would not happen without the public pressure
The Conference “The
CAP: have you say” is over. I am quite happy that it was possible
to follow it online without all that travel to Brussels. For example
it was even possible to go and move the electric fences of my sheep
during the lunchbreak – something that would not be possible from
abroad.
The most important
part of the conference was the presentation of the results of the
public consultation that had ended in May. Of course only a short
overview could be presented there, but luckily the report itself has
also been made available on the web. It is clear from the document
that public views on CAP differ a lot. However the support for a
radical reform is clear.
In is noteworthy
that the question “To what extent does the current CAP successfully
address these environmental challenges?” (the previous question was
about environmental challenges faced by agriclture) was replied “not
at all” by the majority of the respondents (46% of the total). Only
8% of the respondents consider that the current CAP successfully
address these environmental challenges “To a large extent” and 6%
“To a fairly good extent”. Even more significant is the consensus
between the farmers and other respondents on this matter.
The case for a
radical CAP reform is thus clear, if we are talking seriously about
sustainability and policy coherence. Listening to the politicians and
top civil servants however one did not get the impression of
readiness for a real change. The civil society has therefore to keep
the pressure up – having participated in the public consultation is
not ehough.
Post author: Aleksei
Lotman
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