The structural changes in food production, climate change, current sanctions against Russia and increased imports from non-EU countries have increased the price volatility of agricultural products to the harm of farmers. The European Committee of the Regions adopted today the opinion on 'Regulating price volatility of agricultural products' by EPP-CoR Rapporteur Jacques Blanc, Mayor of La Canourgue in France, to voice their concern and call for concrete action in the issue.
The high price volatility of agricultural products has a negative impact on industry stakeholders and rural areas as it leads to repeated crises that result in the disappearance of farmers and deterring young people from farming. It is therefore essential to provide better protection for the producers' incomes to maintain agriculture across the EU, preserve vibrant rural communities and enable European farmers to contribute to European and global food security.
"European farmers are the backbone of our economy and the key actors contributing to the development of our rural societies - therefore local and regional decision-makers should stand up for them in their hour of need. The opinion takes a holistic view on the current situation and suggests many concrete initiatives to rectify the situation,"Rapporteur Blanc emphasised.
The opinion highlights that the industry's self-regulation mechanisms are not effective and an EU-level action is needed to ensure fair buying and selling conditions for European farmers and consumers. The range of risk management tools available to farmers should also be expanded according to the Rapporteur.
"It is important for us to ensure a territorial balance in the EU and that our rural areas thrive, therefore we call on a white paper to focus on these issues. We should also invest in research and innovation. I encourage us as European consumers to support local products and short supply chains. And last, but not least, we need to make sure that agriculture remains as a viable option also for our young through proper incentives," MrBlanc concluded.
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