Farmers say no to market proposal

EUROPEAN farmers have made 50 proposals to slash EU red tape in agriculture, but they have rejected a commission proposal for a single Common Market Organisation (CMO).

COPA and COGECA, the European umbrella bodies for farm organisations, said their proposals are guided by more clarity, less form-filling, greater co-ordination, reasonable inspections and revised sanctions. A position paper will be sent to Agriculture Council president Horst Seehofer, Farm Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel, the European Parliament and the permanent representations of the EU member states.