eu country brief wolff wkshp

EU’SAG

INTERESTS

April 24, 2010Preparing for a Career in International TradeEU’s Agricultural Sector & Important economic linkagesGalen Bepler

•491 million people, 66 % in the workforce

•Aging population, with a generous welfare system, and a 1 % growth rate

•GDP (PPP) for 2009 is $32,600

•Unemployment is 9.6 %

•Regional Social & Economic Cohesion is a Policy priority

EU’s Economy

AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS

•Generally, a food importer•2006 is sole exception

•Agriculture is a small percentage of EU’s trade

•Fishers have run a trade deficit since 1988

• Ag Links

• Service sector, 75 % of EU GDP

• Machinery, 33 % of manufactures & 11 million people employed.

• Close Relationship with ACP

CAP REFORM• Began in earnest in 2003

• Supports a leaner, greener, more sustainable agricultural agenda

• Is it meaner ?

Interest Groups and Government Agencies

• European Dairy Association (EDA)

• Agricultural Associations – member country level, product level, machinery level

• Sugar, wheat, livestock, land conservation

European Commission – Executive Branch

• Agricultural and Rural Development Committee

• Staff of 1,000 and DG • 13 directorates, dealing with aspects of CAP market measures, rural development policy, financial matters, international relations relating to agriculture

• Every 7 years, 2005 – 2013, 2013 – 2020, etc.

Jean-Luc DemartyNationality: French

Lisbon Treaty • Ratified in 2007

• FTAs will take longer to be ratified

• FTAs now under Commission competence, member states lose sovereignty • Reuters, March 2007

“France said on Tuesday it had brought its national legislation into line with European Union laws on growing genetically modified (GMO) crops, hoping to end a legal battle with Europe's top court.”