Doc. 8581

25 October 1999

The Common Agricultural Policy and traditional forms of farming

Motion for a resolution

presented by Ms Loule and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and only expresses the views of the members who have signed it

1.       The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has made possible rapid agricultural growth in the countries of the European Union and brought about a "green revolution". This has been to the benefit of some of the more industrialised types of farming typical of northern European countries (meat, milk, grain) and to the detriment in particular of those of the Mediterranean countries (fruit and vegetables, wine, olives) that use more traditional production techniques.

2.       The 1992 CAP reform and the recently approved Agenda 2000 have sought, inter alia, to reduce output in order to avoid surpluses and imbalances between branches of production and between geographical areas and to promote the multi-functional nature of agriculture. However, these reforms may also have the effect of putting traditional production and farming methods in certain countries or branches in difficulty.

3.       These consequences within the European Union may also be felt elsewhere, namely in countries with which the European Union has concluded association or co-operation agreements (countries of central and eastern Europe, ACP countries) through the replacement of uncompetitive traditional production techniques or the import of Community produce that competes with local goods.

4.       Moreover, in the current context of globalisation, the liberalisation of agricultural markets (Marrakech, 1994) and the new WTO negotiations, the tendency would appear to be more towards increased production for the most competitive products - and by the most competitive producers, who receive large financial subsidies for both production and export, thereby further exacerbating the situation of traditional and less profitable producers and products.

5.       In addition to the economic and social impact that such a policy might have, the disappearance of certain traditional production and farming techniques might be in contradiction with other current concerns, such as the preservation of biodiversity (extinction of plant varieties), heritage protection (abandoned farming techniques) and sustainable development (more ecological agricultural practices).

6.       Accordingly, the Assembly recommends that the governments of the member States and the European Union take measures to preserve traditional produce, production methods and farming techniques while pursuing the reform of agricultural policies.

Signed : ¹

Loule, Greece, UEL

Agius, Malta, EPP/CD

Behrendt, Germany, SOC

Ciupaila, Lithuania, LDR

Debono Grech, Malta, SOC

Etherington, United Kingdom, SOC

Ghesquière, Belgium, EPP/CD

Gonzalez Laxe, Spain, SOC

Goulet, France, EDG

Hornung, Germany, EPP/CD

Janowski, Poland, EPP/CD

Mikaelsson, Sweden, UEL

Myrvoll, Norway, UEL

Robol, Italy, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG:European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left

      NR : Not registered in a group