More than 5000 contributions to public debate on future of the CAP
At midnight tonight, the Commission will close the internet-based public debate on the future of the EU's Common Agriculture Policy launched by Agriculture & Rural Development Commissioner Dacian Cioloş on April 12.
In the course of the 2-month period, there have been more than 5 000 contributions received from the general public and various organisations. The most responses have come from Germany, Poland, France, Latvia, Austria and Spain. These figures also include contributions from NGOs and Think Tanks, confirming the interest of civil society in these issues. Relating to 4 basic questions - Why do we need a CAP? What do citizens expect from agriculture? Why reform the CAP? What tools do we need for the CAP of tomorrow? – These responses will now be analysed and collated by external experts. A synthesis will be presented next month at the July 19/20 Conference in Brussels, which will have a further look at these questions on the future of the CAP – see http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-post-2013/conference/index_en.htm. Speaking today, Commissioner Cioloş welcomed the strong public participation, underlining that “the CAP is not just for farmers but for all EU citizens, as taxpayers and consumers”. He reiterated his intention of coming forward with a Communication on the post-2013 CAP in November, stressing that the contributions from the public debate and the conference will feed into the process as the Commission drafts its plans.
