Action needed on critical EU beef market situation
With the current Russian ban, coupled with the "exceptional dairy market situation", he urged the European Commission to take action immediately.
Following the vote in which he was elected as chairman, Fleury said: "Everyone was unanimous today in the working party in warning that the beef market is in a state of crisis. Prices have plummeted across the EU. The ban imposed by Russia on farm exports, which is weighing heavily on the sector, is down to politics and was not farmers’ or agri-cooperatives’ fault, yet we are the ones paying the price for it.
"Funds must therefore not come out of the CAP budget to solve this crisis. Action must be taken immediately. The Copa-Cogeca working party stresses that the Commission can take emergency measures in view of the exceptional situation."
He urged the Commission to introduce measures "rapidly", which would help to underpin the EU beef market, including support for exports.
"The Commission must pursue a vigorous export promotion campaign and give its support to finding new market outlets. Sanitary barriers and unnecessary obstacles to trade must also be lifted, especially in the emerging economies and developed countries."
He added that the sector must remain competitive, as it has a vital role to play in ensuring growth and jobs, mostly in rural areas. "The Commission must use all means at its disposal in activating emergency measures and finding new market outlets for our quality produce. We will keep up the pressure until solutions are put on the table," he said.
Fleury, from the French Farm Organisation FNSEA, and also president of the National Beef Federation in France, is a beef producer with 190 suckler cows. Andrew Foot from the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales and Verena Schutz from DRV Germany were elected vice-presidents for a two-year term.
