Rappel : Ces derniers mois, des mouvements de contestation ont éclaté aux quatre coins de l’Union européenne, de la Pologne aux Pays-Bas, en passant par l’Allemagne et la Roumanie. Dans chaque pays, un élément déclencheur différent : réduction des subventions sur le fioul agricole en Allemagne, coût des carburants et des assurances en Roumanie, importations de céréales ukrainiennes en Pologne. Si le mouvement n’est pas coordonné , les agriculteurs du dénoncent tous des conditions de travail difficiles et un manque de considération de la part des dirigeants politiques. A un peu plus de quatre mois des prochaines élections européennes (6-9 juin), les représentants des agriculteurs mettent en cause certaines politiques de l’Union européenne. dont le Pacte vert européen (Green Deal ), les résultats d’une politique agricole commune (PAC) inégalitair ou encore des accords de politique commerciale.
En septembre dernier, la présidente de la Commission européenne Ursula von der Leyen avait annoncé le lancement d’un “dialogue stratégique sur l’avenir de l’agriculture de l’UE” pour désamorcer la grogne du monde agricole. Ce groupe d’une trentaine de représentants de la chaine alimentaire doit débuter ses travaux le jeudi 25 janvier et rendre ses conclusions au mois de septembre. Présidé par l’universitaire allemand Peter Strohschneider, qui a conduit des travaux similaires dans son pays, le groupe réunit les principales organisations du secteur (exploitants agricoles, coopératives, associations, entreprises, société civile ou ONG) et envisage d’ouvrir la voie à des contributions extérieures.
Les discussions porteront sur quatre grands thèmes : les revenus et les conditions de vie décentes, les questions environnementales et l’adaptation des systèmes de production, l’innovation et enfin la compétitivité du système alimentaire de l’UE.
Table of Contents
The strategic dialogue
The Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture concluded on 4 September after almost eigth months of negotiations involving 29 key players in the agrifood sector. The stakeholders have now presented their recommendations, suggesting that the EU’s agricultural policy needs a fundamental overhaul to create a more equitable industry. What form should this shift take?
In this episode, host Giada Santana and agrifood hub editor Angelo di Mambro analyse the freshly published report and the future of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with comments from an exclusive interview with Strategic Dialogue’s chair Peter Strohschneider.
Le podcast : Strategic Dialogue calls for big changes in EU farm funding.
Michel Barnier’s ‘agricultural’ past
The newly appointed French Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, is a familiar face in Brussels circles as a former MEP, Commissioner for the Internal Market and Brexit negotiator. But for many, his in-depth knowledge of European agricultural issues may come as a surprise.
He was Nicolas Sarkozy’s minister for agriculture from 2007 to 2009.
According to Dominique Chargé, head of Coopération Agricole in France, he has a “thorough knowledge of agricultural and European issues” and “is held in high esteem in Brussels,” adds Christiane Lambert, president of Copa Cogeca, on X.
As French agricultural minister, Barnier insisted on redistributing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). He directed funds from cereal farmers towards livestock farmers, doubled their income, and increased the budget for organic farming.
In many ways, the period from 2007-2009 marked a different era.
Yet, Barnier’s vision of the CAP in 2008 was already aimed at being “more preventive, fairer, and more sustainable.”
Such a vision is not so distant from the one stemming from the final report of the strategic dialogue on the future of EU agriculture published on Thursday (5 September) this year.
The new document mentions a subsidy system that can deliver to those “who need it the most” and incentivise farmers to do more for the environment, strengthening the funds for the green transition.
In 2009, Barnier oversaw the initial phase-out of the milk quota scheme. Given that milk is produced throughout Europe, significant market changes, such as the ‘soft landing’ of quotas, made producers nervous both in France and across the continent.
Despite protests from French producers, Barnier successfully eased tensions with several measures and then set out for Brussels to join the EU institutions.
Given his agricultural and EU experience, can he tune in with the concerns of French farmers, who were at the forefront of the early 2024 demonstrations?
Pressure is coming from all sides. Just as the Commission’s upcoming agricultural plans will be closely watched, Barnier is also anticipated by both French citizens and the farming community.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/michel-barniers-agricultural-past/