From the earliest days of European unity, agricultural policy has always occupied a central position. Over the years, the policy has undergone various radical reforms and another new radical change awaits us in 2013. The form that the Common Agricultural Policy will take in future is currently being discussed. At the end of the year, the European Commission will put forward a proposal. Three leading Dutch agricultural economists have now compiled a book collecting together the expertise in this field. A large number of Dutch and international authors have provided contributions. The book is right up to date – it even covers the Treaty of Lisbon, which only came into force in December. On 27 January, the book was officially presented to the retiring Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Mariann Fischer Boel. The former Commissioner Frans Andriessen also attended the presentation.
Mariann Fischer Boel:
'From the total GDP of the EU, only 0.43% is spent on agriculture. For that reasonable share of the taxpayers' money, the consumer receives sufficient and healthy food at an affordable price... we should not forget that the CAP has provided value for money.’
‘I have always been against any suggestion to co-finance the agricultural policy. A truly common agricultural policy means a commonly financed policy.’
This book EU policy for agriculture, food and rural areas is published by Wageningen Academic Publishers.
Video: the presentation of the book.