INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE VOIVODESHIP IN TORUŃ

The Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union and the future of agriculture in the EU were the main topics of the plenary session of the Regional Social Dialogue Council (WRDS) held on Friday (October 4th) in Toruń. Marshal Piotr Całbecki, who is a member of the European Committee of the Regions and recently prepared two important opinions for the body on food production, shared the latest updates from Brussels on this subject with the council.

“We all need to be aware of what will be happening in the European Parliament and the European Commission in the near future [on this matter]. We must remain vigilant, as there are various lobbying groups across Europe [involved in food production and distribution]. [The opinion I prepared for] the Committee of the Regions, which represents regional and local authorities, is balanced. On one hand, it emphasizes the promotion of organic farming [and short supply chains], and on the other, it addresses sub-regional and regional strategies in agriculture. The rural areas of Poland and Kujawsko-Pomorskie face all the same [negative trends present in other European countries], including rural depopulation. We are discussing all of this today to develop a unified voice and position on the future of European agriculture, which Poland, as the country taking over the presidency of the European Union next year, will be able to present in Brussels. We will advocate for the implementation of all the proposals included in the CoR opinion,” emphasized Marshal Piotr Całbecki in a conversation with journalists before today’s session.

Opening the WRDS debate, the head of the region emphasized that the rules of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy must be deeply revised, and the new policy, effective after 2027, must ensure both the continent’s food security and decent incomes for farmers. He also stated that the revised framework should be developed in dialogue with agricultural communities across Europe.

He pointed out that the functioning of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, including direct payments and funds dedicated to rural development, is currently at risk, with some voices in EU institutions calling for its abolition. He stressed that the Committee of the Regions sees the need to maintain it – as a tool to protect the market, production standards, product quality, and to ensure fair incomes for agricultural producers. He added that the CoR supports the introduction of a guaranteed minimum income for farmers.

The discussion also featured remarks from Ryszard Kierzek, President of the Kujawsko- Pomorska Chamber of Agriculture, who criticized the European Commission for limiting agricultural production in the name of falsely understood ecological concerns.

A new member of the council, Zbigniew Ostrowski, Deputy Marshal of the region and President of the S10 Expressway Association, was appointed today, receiving his nomination from Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

Press Office of the Marshal’s Office

October 4, 2024
Last updated: October 7, 2024