The members of EPP Group wants to keep farms in EU strong and competitive to guarantee high quality food for all Europeans at an affordable price. Members of European Parliament will

debate this week about reform and future of the EU’s agricultural policy.

"We want a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that is good for farmers, consumers and for nature. We believe that without such a balance, we cannot secure European food production and farming", said Peter Jahr MEP and Anne Sander MEP.

“We have reached a fair compromise with which we can protect millions of family-run farms all over Europe, keep rural communities alive and secure jobs in the agri-food sector”, said Peter Jahr.

“On ecological issues, this compromise is even more ambitious than the European Commission’s initial plans. It has a good balance between societal demands and a high level of ambition for the climate and the environment as well. It will enable farming and life in rural communities, and will not desert them to become conservation areas”, added Jahr.

”The new CAP provides better tools to keep agricultural markets fair for everybody, help farmers cope with the crisis and support the development of EU agriculture. It also provides tools to promote agricultural products under quality labels”, said Sander, who is the EPP Group's Shadow Rapporteur for the two laws which govern the financing and management of CAP and regulate the agricultural markets in Europe.

“We want less bureaucracy for farmers. In the past, CAP rules have grown far too complex. Now we want simplification. The new CAP will also ensure equal treatment among farmers”, concluded Sander.

Katrin Goodman,

Photo by Vitor Oliveira, Wikimedia commons.