Reforming the CAP in favour of small-scale farmers

The European Common Agricultural Policy or CAP is one of the big challenges facing farmers in developing countries who want to market their produce.  This is because the CAP subsidises European farmers and allows them to export produce throughout the world at prices that are lower than the cost of production.  At the same time tariffs are imposed on produce exported to the EU, making it uncompetitive.

The European Union is currently debating reform of the CAP – this process is due to be finalised before 2013.  

However, the UK Coalition Government’s contribution to this debate does not sound promising:  According to Defra the government continues to regard food merely as a commodity and wants to drive down prices still further to ensure ‘greater market orientation and agricultural competitiveness’.  They say that this will enable European Food Processing Companies to compete more successfully in the global food market.  UK Environment Minister, Caroline Spelman has also called for the halting of food exports to be made illegal, even at times of national crisis.

These proposed CAP reforms would flood the world with junk food and do nothing to protect vulnerable farming communities from the impact of ‘low cost’ imports. 

Furthermore, preventing countries suffering from food shortages from banning the export of essential food commodities is likely to lead to increased starvation and political unrest.

A more much radical alternative to the UK government’s proposed, conservative reforms for the CAP can be found here .

This alternative European Food Declaration (or Missing Option) is calling for sustainable, family farming to be emphasised in EU food production with movement towards a food sovereignty framework, as well as changes in international trade in agricultural products according to principles of equity, social justice and ecological sustainability.  It stresses the right of all nations and regions to protect themselves from food speculators and low cost imports.

Most importantly, ‘the CAP should not harm other countries’ food and agriculture systems’.

By signing this Declaration you will be providing hope for small-scale farmers and health-conscious consumers the world over!