Sarkozy CAP reform call a blow
Under President Jacques Chirac, France resisted CAP reform, and it was pressure from Chirac that forced EU leaders to agree to keep the present system in place until 2013.
But now that Sarkozy has said he will propose a new Common Agricultural Policy, farmers won’t be surprised if the 2008 CAP ‘health check’ ushers in greater changes than previously expected, because the main “CAP conservative” member state — with which Ireland normally sided in the major negotiations — appears more willing to accept change.
President Sarkozy has indicated he would favour farmers who do not want to live off subsidies, who want to be entrepreneurs and producers.
He said: “The CAP as it exists today cannot meet the challenges of 2013 onwards, everyone knows it, no one is saying it.”
He indicated he wanted to help farmers to break their dependence on handouts, and would ensure farmers are paid a fairer price for their produce, offering more preference over imports and more help to export.
He repeated that he was ready to sink a WTO deal if necessary to defend French interests.
Sarkozy also asked his Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier and Finance Minister Christine Lagarde to define a risk management system for the agricultural sector, based on crop insurance.
He also called for funds to tackle the bluetongue disease affecting northern and eastern France.
He is expected to use France’s turn in the rotating EU presidency from next July to draft a new vision of the CAP.
