A number of EU agricultural and agri-food representative bodies have written to European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Janusz Wojciechowski to highlight their concerns regarding the Annual Work Programme for 2021.
In an open letter which they sent to the commissioner earlier this month, on Monday (December 1), the groups included among their number: COPA-COGECA, the farmer and cooperative representative group; the European Dairy Association (EDA); and the Liaison Centre for the Meat Processing Industry in the EU (CLITRAVI).
Also represented were: the European Liaison Committee for Agricultural and Agri-food Trade; the Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU; the European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders; the European Potato Trade Association; the European Fresh Produce Association; and the International Flower Trade Association.
The chief concerns raised by the represented groups were the overall reduction and “imbalanced allocation of the 2021 Annual Work Programme budget.
In the letter, the groups said:
“Regarding the budget reduction, we would like to underline that the €183 million currently foreseen represents a reduction of more than 9% in comparison to the 2020 Annual Work Programme budget.
This constitutes a reduction far over the foreseen 4% reduction of the overall agriculture budget. In times during which additional support for agricultural products promotion is particularly needed due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the forthcoming Brexit this budget reduction is particularly inappropriate.
Continuing, the letter says:
“Regarding the imbalance of the budget allocation, we would like to stress our concern for the disproportional budget share dedicated to organic production.
Our different sectors are fully engaged in the growth of organic agriculture.
However we fear that the commission’s ambition to dedicate a 30% share of the total promotion budget to an agricultural sector, which today represents only 8% of the total EU agricultural production, could create an unfair disequilibrium.
“While the organic sector certainly has growth perspective, the current budget proposal does not correspond to the market reality.”
The EU associations also claimed that, due to their often small size, it is “uncertain” that organic applicants would have the resources to submit projects that would utilise the programme budget as envisaged.
They further claim that interests for the international market would be “negligible” given the “very small demand”.
In addition, the groups recommend that the commission should examine whether the EU organic logo is recognised and accepted in third country markets before “reserving huge funds”.
We are concerned that disproportionately focusing on a single agricultural practice could prevent the others to further contribute to EU agricultural sustainability, which would reduce the overall capacity of the Promotion Policy to increase sustainability.
“Consequently, we urge you to consider a revised budget proposal for the AWP 2021 in accordance with our concerns regarding its current shortcomings.
“We would like to meet with you – online – prior to the final decision on this dossier to explain our view on this important policy,” the letter says.