CAP: an agreement at last!

CEETTAR welcomed today the decision of the European Ministers of Agriculture to conclude the lengthy negotiations on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy by formally adopting the political agreement reached in the fall with the European Parliament and the European Commission.

Gérard Napias, the President of CEETTAR recalled: " Over the month-long preparation of this reform, agricultural and rural contractors were able to get some positive amendments in the draft Regulations. However, our efforts do not stop there, because we must ensure that the Commission and the Member States establish the implementation rules allowing the full effectiveness of reform priorities, i.e. competitiveness and sustainability of agriculture and support for economic activities in rural areas."

He added: "An effective implementation of the reform requires an integrated approach, taking into account the diversity of territories as well as of the actors. Agricultural , rural and forestry contractors have always supported the commitment of the EU towards an ambitious common agricultural policy. Their innovative strength and competitiveness will help to carry out these new objectives in terms of agricultural production, production method and rural development. This is the reason why we call on the Commission to guarantee that Member States will adopt measures allowing companies providing technical services to the agricultural, rural and forestry sectors to complete their investment projects and develop their innovative approaches as notably enshrined in the Article 19 of the Regulation on rural development. Eventually, it also seems important that the implementation rules can be put in place in 2014 in order to be fully operational in 2015."

You can download the press release in English and in French