EU treads carefully in reforming agriculture policy - by Matthys Nieuwehuis
Around one third of the entire European budget goes on agriculture, in total some 40 billion euros. For years, there have been discussions about plans to get this under control, and reduce the spiralling costs of agriculture. It's clear that the European Commission hasn't dared to do anything radical, and has chosen instead to proceed with careful steps, as EC Commissioner Fischer Boel explained: "We must take the faults out of the system that have been there since the very beginning. Then we must adapt the sector to the changes that are taking place at a rapid rate in agriculture."
It looks as Europe's farmers are not going to protest too loudly. At least, no French farmer has emptied his slurry tank against the wall of the EU Commission building. Dutch farmers are also positive. Albert Jan Maat, Chairman of the Dutch Agricultural and Horticultural Organisation, says: "As farmers and market gardeners we're not afraid of reforms. It's essential that you make sure the farmer can produce as much as possible under good conditions. If you look at the environment and animal welfare, then Dutch farmers are already doing well. At the same time, we think there's never a good time to reduce subsidies. The demands in the areas of animal welfare and the environment are very high, and we want to satisfy them, but there mustn't be a shortfall in support."
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