European agricultural regions discuss future policy

Rome – The annual meeting of Areflh (Fruit Vegetable and Horticultural European Regions Assembly – http://www.areflh.com) has taken place in Trento last February 23. The members of this assembly are 27 regions from six European countries (Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Greece) which represent 40% of the European fruit and vegetables production. More than 100 representatives have joined the meeting, in order to discuss sector’s problems and strategies.

First of all, the necessity of a reform in the common European policy for agriculture has been underlined, because of the urgency to compete on the international market. Agricultural sector could face increasing import from non-EU countries by means of an increase in the European supporting funds (from 4,1% to 6%) and of a planning simplification.

Areflh underlines that some actual norms (such as Art. 51) are benefiting large producers instead of specialized ones. Moreover, there are still too much obstacles for European export due to a lack of harmonization in phytosanitary health measures (SPS measures). Areflh members ask also for promotional campaigns, in order to make consumers more and more aware about the benefits deriving from a regular consumption of fruit and vegetables. Integrated production (IPM method) could become a standardized norm in order to assure final consumer about safety and superior quality of European production.

Concerned about the future of those agricultural productions which could be hit the most because of some enlargements in the commerce with non-EU countries, Arefhl proposes some new actions. For example the creation of a European observatory on market and commercial exchanges could keep analysis and outlook on production and consumption always up-to-date. New suggestions have been made also with regard to an enlargement of the coordination committee with the southern countries of the Mediterranean area and with regard to the organization of an European meeting about pear production in Lleida.

Publication date: March 1 2007
Author: Rossella Gigli
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