Europe: a fallow field?

The revision of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), SET for 2013, is especially notable as it will fall under the co-decision procedure for the first time. As a result, MEPs like José Bové (the Vice-Chair of the Committee on Agriculture) will play a key role.
  
A CHALLENGING LANDSCAPE
  
The stakes are high and far exceed Europe's strict policy framework. The horn of Africa is hit by the worst famine in half a century and the economic and environmental impact of Europe's agricultural policies continue to bite. All questions are up for debate: What role do we see for our farmers in the future?, how can our production adapt to globalization without harming the poor or developing countries and what kind of agricultural model will best preserve the environment?

The intensive agriculture model sought to modernize our countryside, make Europe self-sufficient, and give it a strong lead in trade issues.  "Nature" always seemed to play a secondary role. Today that model is ripe for change.
In Europe, the number of farmers continues to decline with 25% giving up in the past decade, according to Eurostat. Those who farm today, usually do it under more difficult conditions than before (with the exception of large commercial grain farms). Elsewhere, prices are rising, hunger is returning and green algae, oil and chemicals continue to weaken a fragile planet that already looks beyond regeneration.
  
FISHERIES ALSO ON BOARD
  
Fishing is no better. Like agriculture, it is an activity which is seen as critical to Europe.  It is also a professional sector in a deep crisis. Like agriculture it is a European policy that will soon be revised: Commissioner Damanaki made the official announcement on July 13. According to estimates by the European Commission and those of the FAO, 75% of fish stocks are affected by overfishing.
At the moment, Europeans have already completed their annual consumption of domestic  fish and this year's remaining consumption will come from abroad. This is happening while many countries, especially developing countries, depend largely on fishing to feed their own population and are therefore largely deprived of "their" own resources. The Impact on biodiversity also continues but Member States, under pressure from their extremely struggling fishermen, remain reluctant to make major changes.
 
WHAT KIND OF MODEL FOR TOMORROW?
  
It is clear that the need to confront these issues is urgent. The development model on which European countries have prospered needs to be reviewed. The good news is that this revision may lead to a profound transformation within the EU itself. This is a chance to redefine the EU, redefine its functions and powers, and build a new project and collective imagination. We can move beyond the narrow economic functions of yesterday and take on a new political or even federalist slant.  
  
Is this an opportunity to invent a real European public space, deepen democracy and to finally move toward a more perfect Union?


Charles Baillieu
 
[*"Est-Ouest, balle au centre" - a Generation 112 WebRadio program in French]