eu country brief wolff wkshp
DESCRIPTION
An overview of the European Union\'s position on agricultural liberalization in the 21st century.TRANSCRIPT
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.”