"In the coming years, the future EC,
after the next elections, will necessarily have to make new
reforms in the field of agriculture because without reforming
this sector, it will be almost impossible to continue the
process of enlargement of the European Union, especially towards
the countries of the Western Balkans." That is what Franz
Fischler, former European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural
Development - from 1995 to 2004 - and Austria's minister of
agriculture - from 1989 to 1994 -, said today on the sidelines
of his lecture at Friuli University on "Challenges and
Opportunities for Friuli's Agribusiness Sector in the New Global
Context."
The event, which was opened by greetings from University
Rector Roberto Pinton, Luciano Nonis, director of the Friuli
Foundation, and Claudio Cressati, deputy director of the
Department of Legal Sciences, was followed by a panel discussion
with professors at the University of Udine, and representatives
of civil society and business, including Corrado Pirzio Biroli,
former chief of staff at the European Commission.
"At the European level, we need to find new forms of
cooperation within production chains," Fischler underlined,
"because the problem is that the farmer is the weakest link in
this chain. Therefore, we need to think about a better balance.
And this," specified the former EU commissioner of agriculture,
"has to do with the European rules of competition, and the
ability to cooperate within precisely the production chains, and
also with brands and quality products. In this country and also
in this region, Friuli Venezia Giulia, you have very
high-quality products that are known all over the world, so,"
Fischler concluded, "it will be necessary for the European
Common Agricultural Policy to give support and not hinder these
excellent productions.
The former European commissioner delivered some food for thought
on the sidelines, including that "in response to climate change,
there are opportunities for the agricultural sector, which is
the largest terrestrial Co2 sink after the Oceans". "Introducing
new rules and incentives for farmers to 'capture' and store Co2
in soils," he added, "would help farmers and the climate change
issue."
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