The European aspects
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The European Dairy Association supports the EU’s long term vision for the agri-food sector, including the The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). As it noted in its statement, “A strong and well-functioning CAP is crucial for ensuring the EU’s continued global leadership in dairy at milk production and processing level,” according to the EDA.
“Incentivising eco-friendly production while leveraging new technologies and business models will help secure the sector’s long-term future. The clear commitment to continue the EU School Food Scheme is particularly welcome, as it ensures that younger generations benefit from nutritious dairy products, reinforcing the sector’s role in public health and food security.
“A well-functioning single market remains essential for the dairy sector’s competitiveness, ensuring that businesses can operate without the burdens of regulatory fragmentation,” it further notes. The single market is a “formidable asset which we need to continuously preserve, improve and reinvent,” to quote EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
These are very true words. Overall, European agriculture and dairy is an important market and one that has to be preserved and strengthened, particularly in the face of growing pressure from outside players that do not have Europe’s best interests at heart. Events of the last month have shown this to be particularly so and the UK for its part now sees where its friendly neighbour is – the 440 million strong market on its doorstep should be the first point of call, not something to be discarded.
The German elections mean the Europeans also face new challenges, but we welcome the new potential prime minister and wish every success and stability for that country. In a time when things are uncertain, let’s try and nail down what we can. It’s what one does in stormy weather. That being said, perhaps there will be better things after all the tumult.
- Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International.
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