The Ulster Farmers' Union was pleased to welcome COPA COGECA General Secretary Pekka Pesonen as its keynote speaker at the 2015 AGM, held at Loughry College on 29th April 2015. COPA COGECA is the representative body for the European Agricultural sector including farmers and agricultural co-operatives from across the European Union. Collectively their role is advisory, decision making, lobbying, collaborative and representative of the European agricultural sector as a whole. The UFU is a member of COPA, along with the other UK Farming Unions who collectively have a permanent representation in Brussels.
Watch highlights Pekka's speech below where he talks about: CAP implementation and the problems it's causing across the EU, in particular in relation to greening; farmers role in the supply chain; and international trade deals.
CAP implementation
Highlights from the first part of Pekka's speech
"How does the CAP enhance you ability to produce more food in a more substantial manner? Serious doubts as to whether this is the case."
"We fully support EU Commissioner's initiative to simplify the CAP and it is main objective of the EU Commission as a whole."
"Member states have implemented the first year of greening (2015) and already have identified certain needs for simplification."
"We know there is an increased risk of errors and increased risk of direct payments not being claimed."
"Commissioner Hogan has already agreed to implement derogation and not apply 7.5% top up penalty for non-compliance with greening but does not remove the risk that 30% could be eliminated from pay check if a farmer does not comply."
"It is unacceptable that 30% [of a direct payment] is being used as hostage especially when farmers haven't received all the relevant information."
"COPA COGECA has sent a letter to the Council Presidency on the greening issue and outlining that the lack of information is not acceptable when 30% of payment is on the line."
"We need to make it [CAP} work but the impossible demands on farmers must be addressed."
Role farmers play in the supply chain
In this part of his speech, Pekka highlights that ongoing good work of the UK's farmers to organise themeselves and explains how the UK is being held up as a model across the EU for our work around the Groceries Code Adjudicator.
International Trade
With TTIP (US/EU trade agreement) negotiations underway, COPA has been heavily involved in representing the view of EU farmers.
Highlights from Pekka's speech
"COPA has been making the case for EU access to the US market for beef and ensure that US authorities recognise the safety of our EU beef."
"An US/EU trade alliance will be important (like Canada and Japan) because it will mean we have a better chance to get a better deal in multi-lateral trade deal negotiations."
"Aim is to seek access [to international markets] but also defend the EU way of producing food."
