CAP 2020: More deregulation will not solve the problems

Press Release Brussels, 1 June 2016   CAP 2020: More deregulation will not solve the problems... caused by deregulation and short-sighted decision-makers   Following the European agricultural ministers' informal Council meeting on 30 and 31 May in the Netherlands, the European Coordination Via Campesina examined the document "Food for the future - the future of food” proposed by the Dutch EU Presidency to kick-off discussions on the future of the CAP after 2020, as well as the Council's discussions.   Despite its announced openness to the food issue, ultimately, it is a very partial view of the problem that has emerged. In the text, the notion of "demand"- centered on affluent consumers' request for more transparency- omits the issue of access to quality food for millions of poor people in Europe, as well as the health problems related to industrial food. The attention given to the “production” issue also disappointed, since it only addresses modern farmers or those wanting to be, as shown in the passage of the text referring to new ICTs.   Ultimately, the Dutch Presidency is proposing an increase in the free-market and industrial features of our AgriFood system, this despite the hardships endured by many sectors as a result of the abandonment of market regulation tools: Ramona Duminicioiu, Romanian peasant, laments: "no mention is made of the future of millions of small farms and of the agricultural problems that we're experiencing in Romania as well as in many Eastern European countries, especially against land grabbing and the anarchic development of mass distribution. "   Jose-Miguel Pacheco, peasant from Portugal, declares: "policy makers are not learning the lesson given to us by the dairy crisis; what Europe needs is the public regulation of markets and production, not so-called regulation by a market dominated by a handful of multinationals that is currently sending countless producers to the unemployment line ". For Jyoti Fernandes, UK peasant, "an improved CAP must strengthen the innovative systems of direct association between producers and consumers that exist today- networks that are operating despite the complete lack of support from the CAP.” If Europe is to survive while the CAP has a central role in European policies, the Common Agricultural Policy will have to meet the real expectations of people in terms of food, environment, employment, lively rural areas and overcome Free Market dogmatism. In light of the first proposals, we still have much work and grassroots mobilisations ahead of us.   Contacts: Geneviève Savigny +33 6 25 55 16 87 FR-EN-ES Ramona Duminicioiu +40 746 337 022 EN- FR-RO-ES Jose-Miguel Pacheco +35 1 918 736 441 PT-ES Jyoti Fernandes +44 7875849754 EN