What do the French think of the use of European funds for agricultural policy? The government is preparing to launch a broad public consultation of the French, which will run from March to the end of May, on agriculture, food and the use of European funds for agricultural policy, the ministry said. Agriculture.
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The debate, called “imPACtons”, will be organized by the National Commission for Public Debate chaired by Chantal Jouanno. The modalities will be specified Sunday, during a press conference at the Salon de l'Agriculture in Paris. This consultation responds to a request from the European Commission which wants each Member State to develop its own national strategic plan (PSN), in order to set its priorities and choices for the allocation of agricultural subsidies, in the next CAP 2021-2027.
France, the leading agricultural power in the EU
The conclusions of this consultation will be condensed in a report which will have to be delivered by the summer and sent before September in Brussels. Each State of the Union must send its own NHP. In France, the leading agricultural power in the EU, the amount of European agricultural aid amounts to 9 billion euros per year. Compared to the individual level, this amount represents for some farmers more than their income. The turnover of French agriculture reaches 78 billion euros per year.
On the side of environmentalists, some voices are raised so that the CAP is used more in order to fight against global warming, for the environment and biodiversity, that is to say that the aid would less support the producers themselves. same. The current rise in tensions between urban dwellers and farmers is often linked to these subjects, as shown by the lively debates and clashes over the establishment of no-treatment zones (ZNTs) to reduce pesticides. The NGO Welfarm, which campaigns for the animal welfare of farm animals, welcomed the launch of such a debate.
For Brussels, such a public debate serves to show that the Commission is not above ground and that it takes the temperature of European citizens. On the other hand, certain farmers are likely to feel attacked, in particular due to the increase in environmental complaints. " The debate can also help fight agribashing, " we hope the ministry. The commission will organize major debates in 30 to 40 cities, led by researcher Hilaria Cesario. " They will be open to all citizens, but, in addition, each elected official or each citizen can in turn organize local debates which will be taken into account in the process, " said a spokesperson. Organization kits will be available on a dedicated site.