Case: Policy coherence in general

18-12-2009 ACP-EU JPA Question by MEP Klass on Subsidies

Christa Klass (EPP) raises her concern on the future of the EU dairy sector as well as EU subsidies for European farmers obstructing the development of agricultural structures in the poorer countries.

Farm subsidies are extremely controversial because in many cases EU farmers need subsidies for survival, and the EU is not willing to be too dependent on import for their own food security, but the subsidies lead to unfair trade within the international market. Farmers in developing countries, who need to survive without subsidies, cannot compete with the prices that EU farmers can sell their subsidized produce for.

As stated in article 208 of the Lisbon Treaty, EU development policy strives to combat poverty through, social and sustainable development and the integration of developing countries into the world economy. By subsidizing their farmers, the EU is forcing poorer farmers in developing countries into poverty and are impeding developing countries from integrating into the world economy. This incoherence between EUs development policy and agricultural policy is undermining development efforts and needs to be tackled.

For raising her concerns to the EU Commission and for her efforts in making EU policies more coherent we acknowledge Christa Klass as a Fair Politician.

Monitor fair: EPP

 

Parliamentary Question
30 November 2009
18th JPA Session
Question by Christa Klass (EPP) to the Commission

Subject: Farm subsidies
With over 1 billion people in the world suffering from starvation, the economic crisis is hitting the poorest particularly hard, while in other regions with more favourable climates food production is exceeding demand and there is a reluctance to pay a fair price for it. In particular, European dairy farmers are operating at subsistence level and may be forced to cease their activities in many regions.

The European Parliament is seeking to retain in the 2010 budget the appropriations earmarked for intervention in the dairy sector.

Is the commission able to ensure that subsidised dairy products will contribute to combating hunger?

Can the Commission prevent EU subsidies for European farmers obstructing the development of agricultural structures in the poorer countries?

What progress is being made in implementing the development facility?