Competitiveness and environment for the future of agriculture: the unique option for Europe and France
The regional Forum for the Future of Agriculture (FFA) in Madrid in December 2012 asked for a clear engagement in favour of the research and development (R&D) in agriculture; as well as for a better communication of the efforts provided by the farmers to society.
The aim was first to get an analysis of the CAP Reform presented by Commissioner Ciolos the week before, and to focus on agricultural issues in France, with a presentation of the Brazilian agricultural evolution over the past 50 years.
We wanted to follow up the discussion started by the French government which, for the first time, has asked that the current agriculture issues be included in the agenda for the G20 summit of the ministers of agriculture last June. Conscious of the global challenge of having to produce more and better in order to feed man kind, and of the necessity to ensure a sustainable production, we would like to discuss about the necessary tools for farmers to face these challenges. Amongst such tools could be adapted financing measures for greater investments in agriculture and improving the access for farmers to research and innovation.
On top of the challenges mentioned above, the agriculture sector is further complicated by price volatility. Numerous factors such as demographic growth, the fragmentation of farm land, the lower rate of increase in agriculture production, all contribute to increase the divide between offer and demand of food. The food price index established by FAO remains still higher than the peak registered in 2008, at the time when we were in the midst of the food crisis.
With the objective of improving the food and environmental security, both at international and local level, our speakers : Carmel CAHILL, Senior Advisor, Department of Trade and Agriculture, OECD; Franz FISCHLER, former Commissioner for Agriculture, President of the RISE foundation; Yves MADRE, Member of Commissioner Ciolos cabinet, and Mémona Hintermann, senior reporter for France 3 as well as moderator, will focus their attention on three main axes:
I. Global agriculture issues (food challenge, energy challenge, climate change….)
II. A new direction for Europe
III. How to link competitiveness with environmental protection in the French agriculture
Agenda
Oct 18, 2011
Competitiveness and environment for the Future of Agriculture: the unique option for Europe and France
Opening statement
Franz FISCHLER – Former Commissioner to Agriculture, Chairman of the RISE Foundation
SESSION I: « Brazil, an example for the future? » Global agricultural issues
Keynote Address:
Mauricio Antônio LOPES, Executive Director for Research and Development Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food supply (MAPA)
Responses:
Carmel CAHILL, Senior Counsellor, Trade and Agriculture Directorate, OECD
Didier NEDELEC, Director for grain markets, Invivo Union
Michel ORLOFF, Founder& President, Ambika Group
Q&A
Moderator: Mémona HINTERMANN, Reporter, France 3
SESSION II: A new direction for Europe
Opening Address:
Yves MADRE, Member of the Cabinet from Commissioner to Agriculture, Mr.
CIOLOS
Responses:
– Guilhem BRUN, Deputy head of European affairs, international relation services, Ministry of Agriculture
– George LYON, Member of the Committee for Agriculture and rural development, European Parliament
– Denis TARDIT, Director General, Syngenta France
– Corrado PIRZIO- BIROLI, President, European Landowners’ Organization (ELO)
Q&A
Moderator: Eric LE BOUCHER, Head of edition, Enjeux-Les Echos
Lunch
SESSION III: How to link competitiveness with environmental protection in French agriculture?
Keynote Address : Nicolas BAVEREZ
Business lawyer, columnist, Le Point
Responses:
– Christiane LAMBERT, First Vice-Chair, FNSEA
– Laurent KLEIN, Chair, SAF-Agriculteurs de France
– Jean-Claude BEVILLARD, National Secretary, FNE
Q&A
Moderator: Mémona HINTERMAN, Reporter, France 3
Concluding remarks
– Franz FISCHLER – Former Commissioner to Agriculture,
Chairman of the RISE Foundation
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