European farmers to demand subsidies protection

Representatives of European farmers will today urge EU officials to maintain generous agricultural subsidies and keep regulating the supply of agricultural products to guarantee price stability.

Farm subsidies and access to European markets will be at the top of the agenda of the first gathering of an umbrella organisation for European farmers and agricultural co-operatives known as COPA-COGECA.

The meeting will also focus on prospects for European agricultural commodities on the world market in the face of increasing competition.

Europe is under pressure to reduce farm aid as part of efforts to reach a framework for a global trade deal.

“European farmers demand reliable political framework conditions to secure a positive future for their holdings and co-operatives.

“They ask heads of state and governments to consolidate the European model of agriculture and to secure its economic and social viability,” COPA-COGECA said in a statement to be adopted at the conference.