CAP ‘could offer solutions to food security and climate change crises’

THE Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) could offer solutions to many of the challenges of tomorrow, such as food security, management of natural resources, climate change, competitiveness and innovation.

That’s what the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian Ciolos, told a committee of the German Bundestag in Berlin.

In his first visit to a national parliament since taking office, he said the CAP is needed to reassure an adequate supply of food in the future.

“The CAP should offer certain stability for farmers and healthy and safe food for the consumers at an affordable price,” he said.

Mr Ciolos underlined that only after answering the question: “Where do we want to go with the agricultural and rural development policy in Europe?” can they look at setting a budget meeting those ambitions.

He stressed the new role the national parliaments have gained by the Lisbon Treaty. He described the new consultation with the national parliaments as an opportunity to contribute to the better functioning of the EU.

Mr Ciolos said this is even more important in the debate about agriculture in the EU because of its diversity and its richness.

On the different market mechanisms, he said going back to the old mechanisms “is not|the solution for the future”.

Nevertheless, he believes market intervention measures should continue to exist as “a real safety net.”