During a recent event in Paris, representatives of the main political parties in France running for the European elections were questioned by farmers on various key agricultural issues. With the adoption of the government’s agricultural orientation law by MPs in a first reading on Tuesday evening, discussions focused on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which makes up about a third of the European Union budget, with France being the main beneficiary. The next Members of the European Parliament will have to decide on the future funding for farmers, whether it should be tied to environmental regulations, renegotiate free trade agreements, and provide tools to ensure fair prices and support for young farmers.
The recent crisis in the agricultural sector has raised concerns and highlighted a lack of trust in the European Union among farmers. This prompted various agricultural organizations to organize a panel discussion with representatives of the main political parties to address these pressing issues. The discussions mainly revolved around the direct payments from the CAP, with different parties proposing varying approaches. For example, the Socialist-Place publique list suggested shifting towards “employment and ecological utility aids”, while the Les Républicains list emphasized the importance of maintaining competitiveness through hectare-based aids.
Representatives from different parties shared their perspectives on the future of agricultural aids, with some suggesting linking them to activities on the farm and others focusing on modernization and expansion. Environmental standards were also a hot topic of discussion, with the European Green Deal being a point of contention among farmers. While some parties supported the environmental goals of the EU, others were skeptical and proposed alternative approaches to balancing environmental concerns with the needs of farmers.
The issue of free trade agreements was also addressed during the discussions, with some parties advocating for the termination of current agreements and others proposing mechanisms to ensure imported products meet the same standards as European farmers. The diversity of opinions and proposals reflected the complexity of the challenges facing the agricultural sector in Europe, from balancing economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability to addressing the needs of young farmers and ensuring fair prices for agricultural products.
Overall, the event provided a platform for farmers to engage with political candidates on crucial agricultural issues, highlighting the importance of finding solutions that benefit both farmers and the environment. The outcome of the European elections will have a significant impact on the future of agriculture in France and the EU, with decisions on the CAP, environmental regulations, and free trade agreements shaping the direction of agricultural policy for years to come. It is clear that the agricultural sector will continue to be a key priority for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to address the challenges and opportunities facing European farmers in the coming years.
