Towards a new common agricultural policy

International conference on the common agricultural policy after 2013, Copenhagen 26 April 2010

The debate on our common agricultural policy is going to accelerate this spring, and with participation of the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural development, the EU-Parliament and the European Agricultural Council the conference here in Copenhagen will high light the most important challenges for the future of the common agricultural policy. The reform is likely to be negotiated during the Danish presidency in 2012, so to me it is evident, that Denmark should contribute to the public debate at this stage.

This month, the EU Commission has launched a public debate on the common agricultural policy post 2013. Proposals are expected in 2011. The Commission, the EU-Parliament and the Council are to agree on a reform before 2013.

As contributors to the conference in Copenhagen I am particularly pleased to welcome the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr.Dacian Cioloş, the chairperson of EU- Parliament committee for Agriculture and Rural development, Mr. Paolo De Castro, the rapporteur on the EU- Parliament’s report on future agricultural policy, Mr. George Lyon, the Polish Agricultural Minister, Mr. Marek Sawicki, Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Mrs. Gerda Verburg the German Minister of Agriculture, Mrs.Ilse Aignerand the French minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Bruno Le Maire.

From Denmark I welcome representatives from politicians and representatives from non governmental organizations, civil society organizations, citizens and members of the press.

I hope and expect that all participants will contribute to the debate in order to shed light on the biggest challenges for the EU farm policy after 2013, and that this conference will be instrumental in the process of drawing up a new common agricultural policy.

Welcome

Henrik Høegh

Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries

Time and place:

Monday den 26 April 2010,12.30 – 17.00

Pyramidesalen, Dansk Industri, H.C. Andersens Boulevard 18, Rådhuspladsen, Copenhagen.

Registration is closed.