Leading European rural affairs organisations join forces

FIVE of the leading European rural affairs organisations have joined forces.

The Rural Coalition of Europe has been formed by Copa-Cogeca (representing farmers and agricultural co-ops), CEJA (representing rural youth), ELO (the European Landowners Organisation), FACE (the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU), and UECBV (the European Livestock And Meat Trading Union), representing livestock markets, livestock and meat traders, slaughterhouses, cutting plants and meat preparation plants).

The coalition’s first official meeting took place last month at the headquarters of Copa-Cogeca in Brussels. Copa-Cogeca secretary-general Pekka Pesonen said: “The EU’s rural areas make up 80% of the total area. Agriculture and the EU’s agri-food sector provide over 40 million jobs, mostly in rural areas. Yet the voice of rural stakeholders is often not represented adequately. The Rural Coalition consequently aims to promote and defend the importance of rural areas and stakeholders, including farmers, foresters, landowners, agricultural and forestry workers, hunters and tourism operators.”