In response to farmers’ protests, the European Commission is proposing a review of the Common Agricultural Policy and other EU policies. ECVC welcomes the progress on the situation of farmers in the agri-food chain, which is part of our five key demands, but continues to criticise the steps proposed to weaken the CAP. This will only accelerate the industrialisation of agriculture and its negative impact on farmers, society and the countryside.
ECVC welcomes the potential review of the UTP law and the creation of an observatory that includes production costs, margins and business practices in the agri-food supply chain. For it to work, the Unfair Trading Practices directive must include (1) the obligation for prices to cover production costs, including decent remuneration and (2) anonymity for complaints. We need more than promises to progress on this issue: we demand concrete changes to protect farmers.
However, the European Union should not be content with low hanging fruit. These proposals do not adequately address the underlying and root causes that have led farmers to take to the streets. To enable the much-needed transition towards more sustainable and agroecological models, the CAP must once again play a role to regulate the market and allow farmers to make a living from their work.
The simplification measures that are needed must be adapted to support small- and medium-scale farmers and must not drive an increasingly industrialised model. The change must come from more sustainable agriculture and agroecology. This is only possible with numerous peasants and rural workers. For this to happen, we must have fair prices and proper remuneration. It is not possible to settle for measures that fail to address the current climate and environmental problems. Instead, the CAP should focus on helping farmers embark on their transition.
ECVC farmers have been taking to the streets for more than two months and also meeting with policy makers, President of the AGRIFISH council including David Clarinval, the cabinet of Charles Michel, Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen to offer peasant farmer analysis and concrete solutions. These policy makers should prioritise the health and well-being of farmers and citizens and environmental protection, rather than satisfying the interests of multinational actors.
Find out more
An adequate answer to the farmer’s protest: fair prices through strengthening the UTP directive
Farmers and civil society mobilise again in Brussels after Von der Leyen and Clarinval fail to listen
Contact information
Andoni García Arriola
– ES, EUS
ECVC Coordinating Committee
+ 34636451569
ECVC Secretariat
EN, FR, ES , IT, DE
press@eurovia.org
+32 2 217 31 12