EU outlines future of food reform in 2007
targeted for reform in 2007.
Speaking last week in Germany, Mariann Fischer Boel identified fruit and vegetables and wine as the last two sectors yet to be covered by the reform process begun in 2003.
"The year begins next week with our proposals to reform the fruit and vegetable regime," she said.
"Later - around June - we will table our definitive proposals for reform of the wine sector."
Boel said that the EU needed to move away from outdated forms of support to allow producers to become more competitive and market-orientated. But the EU has been criticised in some quarters for the slow progress that has been made.
Denis Verdier, head of France's Wine Co-operatives Union, told BeverageDaily.com that he regretted that the European Commission would not offer legislative proposals on wine reform until at least June.
His comments reveal creeping signs of frustration among wine industry leaders about the length of time taken to instigate reform plans, which aim to drain Europe's 1.5bn-litre wine lake and re-launch wines on the world market.
Boel insists however that the proposals when they come - will strengthen growers, modernise the system of support and encourage consumption.
"Our wines are the best in the world, but we are losing ground to the 'New World' wine producers," she said.
"We need to win back markets, free up our producers to compete by removing some of the obstacles standing in their way, and spend our money more wisely."
The ongoing simplification of the CAP is also high on the agenda for 2007.
"We have already proposed a number of technical changes - not least the planned single Common Market Organisation," said Boel.
"The next step is to look into the system of Cross Compliance - the set of environmental, animal welfare and food quality standards farmers must respect to receive their direct subsidies.
"I am aware of the bad reputation Cross Compliance has among some German farmers.But I believe it is that it is crucial if we are to maintain public support for paying public money to farmers."
Boel's points echoed those made at a recent farming conference in the UK, where she told delegates that while the CAP (common agricultural policy) has already undergone reform, further changes are inevitable. She said that food producers must expect import tariffs to continue to fall over time, and be aware that large, low-cost agricultural exporters are eager to take advantage of this tendency.
"In the agrifood sector, we may spend a lot of time worrying about Brazil," she told the Oxford farming conference.
"But how often do we think about countries such as India, where we tap into only a fraction of the potential demand for wines, spirits and other high-quality goods that we produce so well?"
