Conference „Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after the year 2013. The chance or the threat for Poland?”

December 13, 2013 in the seat of the National Association of Dairy Cooperative of Inspection Association in Warsaw the conference titled ”Common Agricultural Policy after 2013. The chance or the threat for Poland?” took place. It was organized by the Independent Self-governing Work Association of Individual Farmers “Solidarność”.

The honorable patronage over the conference was taken by: the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Marek Sawicki and the chairman of the Senate Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Senator Jerzy Chróścikowski.

In the session the following members took part: the representatives of European Parliament, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the chiefs of agricultural association organizations, agricultural chapters, the representatives of academic society, institutes and organizations connected with agriculture, the representatives of agri-food industry, media, and also farmers from the whole country. Among them were: Janusz Wojciechowski – Vice-chairman of the European Parliament Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development, Maria Zwolińska – the General Advisor of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Waldemar Guba – Deputy Director of European Union Department and International Cooperation of Ministry of agriculture and Rural Development, Professor Andrzej Kowalski – the Director of Agricultural Economics and Food Economy – National Research Institute, Professor Stanisław Kowalczyk – the Main Quality Inspector of Agri-food Products, Professor Michał Sznajder -  Dean of Economic and Social Department of the University of Life Sciences in Poznań and also Marcin Kulicki – the Director of the National Sugar Company, the Director of Sugar Manufactures’ Association Board  in Poland.

The opening of the conference was done by the NSZZ RI “Solidarność” Jerzy Chróścikowski. The objective of the meeting was the discussion over the issue of Common Rural Politics future after 2013, especially in the context of European Union Announcement ”CAP in 2020: to cope with challenges connected with food, natural resources and territorial differences” and also issue of working out of the Polish position related to the above mentioned matter and Polish Presidency’s aims, especially in the agricultural area. The conference was also the occasion to deepen the knowledge about analysis of issues connected with the agricultural functioning on the uniform European market.

The conference program covered the following presentations:

1. The speech of Minister of Agriculture representatives :

• Maria Zwolińska – the General Advisor of MARD
• „Common Agricultural Policy after the year 2013 – Chosen discussion elements in the context of European Commission Announcement ” – Waldemar Guba – the European Union Department and International Cooperation (MARD)

2. „What budget after the year 2013?” -  prof. dr hab. Andrzej Kowalski – IERiGŻ – PIB.

3. „The effects of milk quotas liquidation for Polish dairying” – prof. dr hab. Michał Sznajder – the University of Life Sciences in Poznań.

4. „The position of Sugar Manufactures’ Association Board  in Poland, related to the sugar market future in connection with realized reform of the market" - Marcin Kulicki, the Director of Board ZPC, the Director of KSC S.A

5. "Common Rural Politics after the year 2013 – the safety and food quality” - prof. Stanisław Kowalczyk, the Chief Inspector IHARS.

6. „Farmers income stabilization in the future of CAP” - Jerzy Chróścikowski - The Chairman of the Senate Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In conclusion with the discussed topics, and also the whole problematic theme undertaking of the future Common Agricultural Policy after the year 2013 in the context of  its importance for Poland, the necessity of keeping the previous was underlined, commonly worked out statement in this quest. It says about the up keeping of the common budget designed for agriculture on at least the previous level, leaving the historic payment ceiling for the objective criteria which will ensure alignment of direct support levels, simplifying the future CAP, better articulation of the future CAP aims and preserving the effective the market intervention mechanisms with the aim of counteracting against negative effects economic crisis.

The Conference “Common Agricultural Policy after the year 2013. The chance or the threat for Poland?” was the occasion of idea exchange and experiences connected with the quests related to the Common agricultural policy  and to extension, and  knowledge systematizing in this area.

The conference was co-financed from the National Rural Network sources, which are in the disposition of the Central Secretariat  of  National Rural Network.