Letters from Brussells - April 2024

ICOS president, Edward Carr and IFA president, Francie Gorman signed the joint letter which had a strong focus on legislation and red tape which is breaking farmers.
The signatories are all members of the European umbrella group for farm organisations and co-operatives, Copa-Cogeca. The letter begins: ‘Agriculture and forestry have traditionally served as the cornerstone of the European project due to their strategic significance. Our sectors produce a wide range of commodities essential to all and are key players in ensuring food security for 450 million EU consumers as the world’s largest exporters of food and agricultural goods. Farmers are the first to feel the consequences of extreme weather events while contributing to the green transition by reducing emissions and storing carbon, being the custodians of rural areas and biodiversity.’
It goes on to say: ‘In recent years, the voices of European farmers and agricultural cooperatives have grown increasingly vital, yet our concerns have largely gone unheeded. Instead, many decision makers seem to perceive our sector solely as a problem, overlooking the hundreds of thousands of virtuous sustainability initiatives and neglecting the strategic importance of agriculture and forestry within the European project. This paradigm must shift now!
‘When addressing real issues, we are wasting valuable time allowing polarisation to predominate in policymaking instead of relying on science and practical feedback. European farmers and agri-cooperatives are part of the solution.’
Concerns around the EU’s trade policy and the Green Deal for agriculture are also highlighted in the missive. And there is reference made to the recent spate of farm protests: ‘The increasing number of legitimate farming protests in recent weeks and months highlights the pressing necessity for the European Union to shift the focus back to rural areas, agriculture, and forestry within its policies. Our members support peaceful demonstrations. This cannot be emphasised enough. We will not encourage any action which runs counter to the rules set up by our democratic society.’
The farm leaders also called for simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the halting of the EU Mercosur agreement in its current state, fair income for farmers, and a strong budget in the next Multiannual Financial Framework to support farmers in their implementation of EU environmental legislation.
The letter was sent as stakeholders from across the agricultural and environmental representative organisations sat down for the first meeting of the Strategic Dialogue, which was set up by President von der Leyen. They will continue with their meetings before a report is prepared later in the summer just in time for the beginning of the next EU Parliament and EU Commission. And it looks likely that President von der Leyen will, once again, be at the helm. Will she take heed of farmer concerns? We will wait and see.