We believe
★ that farmers are entrepreneurs whose business of working the land provides essential services to society: food production, renewable energy, and healthy ecosystems.
★ that, in the same way that Europe has experienced how energy supplies can be used as a political weapon, so too can food supplies. Therefore, Europe needs a vibrant farming industry to provide security from potentially unreliable food trading partners.
★ that the quality of food products in the EU must remain high and equally accessible to all.
★ that citizens must be able to have trust in the food supply chains in Europe and beyond.
★ that good water management is a question not just of public health, but also of security, as water scarcity is a growing problem, including in Europe, and the potential source of future conflicts in the world.
★ in the need to revive rural economies and help to achieve a balanced territorial development of rural communities.
★ in the huge potential of the “blue economy” creating synergies amongst communities and regions along Europe’s coasts, and across national borders.
★ We are committed to the reduction of administrative burden for farmers and other stakeholders including local and regional authorities who are key actors in the common agricultural and rural development policies.
★ that because of its heritage, diversity, and quality of life, Europe’s cities and regions have the potential to create jobs and economic growth by tapping into global tourism markets in a sustainable way.
We will
➔ support organic production and encourage local and regional authorities to promote the spread of organic, and where possible locally produced, food in schools and hospitals through green public procurement at local and regional level.
➔ support the development of aquaculture which is of strategic relevance in achieving the Common Fisheries Policy goals on territorial cohesion, rural development and economic growth.
➔ monitor the phasing out of the milk quota system to ensure that it does not destroy the existence of small producers and jobs in rural areas and have a negative impact on territorial cohesion.
➔ look for ways to help counter the impact of existing or future embargoes on EU farmers.
➔ continue to work for the success of the Atlantic Strategy as a model for the development of the blue economy in other parts of Europe.
➔ work to keep the issue of effective water management on the political agenda to ensure that Europe is prepared for any eventuality and will support the inclusion of necessary water reuse initiatives in the planned revision of the circular economy package in order to reduce the pressures in water-scarce regions.
➔ promote innovation in the tourist industry helping Europe’s cities and regions to create partnerships to attract tourism from other continents.