EU must make a sustainable Europe
jan 10 2012
The programme for the Danish presidency of the EU calls for green growth and new jobs in Europe. The Danish Agriculture and Food Council says the goals are promising and has noted the government’s promise to fight for Denmark’s agricultural subsidies.
The Danish government has presented its working programme for Denmark’s EU presidency, and the Danish Agriculture and Food Council is pleased that the government has made a reform of the Common Agriculture Policy a priority for the presidency. It is here that there is a possibility to solve the major health and sustainable development challenges – through growth.
“Agricultural policy must be growth policy. When farmers are faced with green requirements, these must be introduced as measures that foster growth. And in which farmers are able to create a business out of sustainable measures – and thus also jobs. At the same time these must be introduced with respect for the green measures that have already been carried out,” says Danish Agriculture and Food Council CEO Carl Aage Dahl.
The government programme also intends to introduce green growth initiatives across policy areas in order to create more green jobs. But such initiatives must not hamstring competitiveness.
“Sustainable growth initiatives must not inhibit growth and the ability to create jobs. The Single Market must be made to work and there must be equal conditions for competition. So I am appealing to the government to make sure that EU rules are implemented in all member countries. At the same time, global climate agreements should be developed so that the European food industry’s competitiveness can be strengthened. We must secure a strong position for our food companies on the global markets,” Dahl says.
Export green proficiencies
The major growth, climate and environmental challenges of the future require intelligent solutions – and thus massive investment in research and development, Dahl says.
“Europe produces the world’s most climate-friendly foodstuffs. We can only continue to do so if we carry out massive investment in green research and development. This will enable us to export our know-how and at the same time make sure that other countries become more energy efficient. This will enable the food industry to make a decisive contribution to the re-establishment of the European economy and make the world greener,” the Danish Agriculture and Food Council CEO says.
Fighting for agricultural subsidies
The Danish Agriculture and Food Council is gratified with the government’s signals that it will fight for Denmark’s share of the EU budget, including agricultural subsidies.
“We are concerned that agricultural subsidies will be transferred from an effective, climate-friendly agricultural production such as in Denmark, in favour of less efficient farming in East and Southern Europe. So I am enthusiastic that the Danish presidency will fight for Danish subsidies,” Carl Aage Dahl says.
Read more about the Danish governments working programme Europe at work