Originál tiskové informace z jednání COPA v pátek 8. února

PRESS RELEASE

The EUs enlargement strategy must offer a brighter future for all farmers in both the current EU and the candidate countries

We need a strategy which offers a sound common future for all farmers and for the CAP in the enlarged Europe.

Farmers in the candidate countries must be assured that full integration will mean equal treatment of all farmers throughout the enlarged European Union.

Farmers in the EU must be given the assurance that they will not be expected to shoulder the costs of enlargement.

This was the message of Mr. SONNLEITNER, President of COPA, to EU authorities after a meeting between Commissioner FISCHLER and the COPA Praesidium on 8 February 2002 to discuss the Commissions recently published strategy on enlargement and agriculture.

COPA recognises that there are serious practical hurdles which make it difficult to implement all the elements of the CAP in the candidate countries immediately in 2004. In the meantime it is extremely important to provide adequate funds for structural and social measures to assist farmers in the candidate countries so that they can be fully integrated as soon as possible. The EU authorities must reinforce this aspect of the Commissions proposals.

We are particularly concerned that, once members, the candidate countries uphold the same standards as us in terms of food safety, animal health and welfare and the environment said Mr Sonnleitner. It is essential to maintain consumer confidence throughout the enlarged European Union. There must also be appropriate supply management measures, as already applied in the EU 15, in order to ensure market balance.

There must be a clear distinction between the enlargement process and the mid-term review of the CAP. We call upon the EU authorities to make a firm commitment to implement and finance the phasing in of candidate countries so that they can be fully integrated into a strong CAP said Mr Sonnleitner. This process must not be used as a pretext to alter the CAP to the detriment of farmers in either the EU 15 or candidate countries.

Finally Mr Sonnleitner emphasised the world-wide benefits which would accrue if the process of enlargement was achieved smoothly. It is in the interest of countries throughout the world to help to contribute to a successful outcome and this should be reflected in the current WTO negotiations on agriculture.