Czeslaw Siekierski re-elected as EU ag chairman

Copa & Cogeca have welcomed the re-election of Czeslaw Siekierski as Chairman of European Parliaments Agriculture Committee and count on him to fight for a strong EU agriculture budget in the future to ensure a viable sector.

In reaction to Mr Siekierski's priorities, Copa & Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen said “I welcome his statements on ensuring that there will be an adequate level of Common Agricultural Policy spending (CAP) funding to support innovation and global competitiveness of our farmers whilst ensuring food security in the EU. CAP spending needs to be kept at least at current levels if we are to meet upcoming challenges”.

He continued “Simplifying the current CAP is also crucial to us, as farmers and their cooperatives are becoming overburdened with red tape and bureaucracy which stifles innovation. It is also good that MEPs will work on future trade agreements and look at their impact. Despite some shortcomings, we welcome the recent trade impact report by the EU Commission which confirms the bad impact that upcoming trade deals could have on the EU beef and rice sector especially the one being negotiated with the EU Latin American Trade bloc Mercosur”.

Wrapping up, he said “We look forward to working with Mr Siekierski on the future CAP to ensure a viable future for our farmers”.

For more information:
Copa Cogeca
www.copa-cogeca.eu