Doc. 9663

17 January 2003

Agriculture and enlargement of the European Union

Motion for a Resolution

presented by Mr Janowski and others

Agriculture remains a very important economic sector in most of the Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC). In Poland for instance, 2.6 million people are employed in agriculture, that is 18.8% of the active population (in comparison with 4.3% in the European Union).

The political and economic transformations in the CEECs in recent years as well as the present economic stagnation hamper modernisation of the agricultural sector and production. The standard of living of rural populations decreased in those countries. The agro-food sector of the CEECs is confronted with new challenges such as the candidature for membership of the European Union and the arrival on their markets of multinational companies.

The present trends in Europe aim at a further reform of the agricultural and rural sector, particularly the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union: reduction of agricultural subsidies, promotion of a multifunctional agriculture and of quality food, etc.

Such reforms cannot but aggravate the crisis in the agricultural sector of the CEECs. Particularly because, during several years, candidate countries to the European Union will receive reduced agriculture subsidies in relation to those of the 15 member countries (only 25% the first year).

The Assembly has already made proposals concerning restructuring of the agricultural sector of the CEECs, with an aim to facilitate the transition period towards a modern market economy. It should again take a stand on the evolution leading to the integration in the European Union of the 10 new countries, which are already members of the Council of Europe.

The Assembly would like to examine the situation of the agricultural sector of the candidate countries to the European Union, in the global framework of the reform of the agricultural policies, and make proposals on that matter.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Janowski, Poland, EPP

Agudo, Spain, SOC

Behrendt, Germany, SOC

Crema, Italy, SOC

de Puig, Spain, SOC

Giovanelli, Italy, SOC

Gubert, Italy, EPP

Libicki, Poland, EDG

Lobkowicz, Czech Republic, EPP

Nazaré Pereira, Portugal, EPP

Velikov, Bulgaria, NR

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: 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