Copa and Cogeca underline need for sustainable solutions
Speaking at a Summit on the Future of Agriculture organised by the Financial Times in London, Copa and Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen said “The challenges of fighting climate change, pests and diseases and feeding a growing population with limited resources is sparking new thinking, technology and business models across the agriculture sector. Copa and Cogeca - the European farmers and European agri-cooperatives - desperately need better, more sustainable solutions for farming. We need better genetic material for seeds and livestock. We need a good supply of plant protection products, veterinary pharmaceuticals, machinery, data processing. Biotechnology is widely used and it is considered scientifically safe. But unfortunately, the European public has reservations when it comes to biotechnology used in food production which really needs to be overcome”.
“The farming community is struggling between the international market realities and European consumer trends and preferences. All too often, EU farmers face much higher input costs than the market or retailers are willing to cover. This is partly due to market uncertainties. But we remain optimistic in future technology. For instance, New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) will provide opportunities for the EU farming sector, provided that each of the technologies are assessed on their own merits. We support our European businesses to develop new, innovative solutions for farming, in particular taking into account our European conditions. Survival of European agriculture requires superior knowledge and use of the latest innovative technologies, in line with consumer trends and expectations. Going back to the basics, to the middle ages, is not an option”, he concluded.
For more information:
Copa Cogeca
www.copa-cogeca.eu