This is a crucial time to discuss food and agriculture in Europe since the new policy that is under discussion could be law for about ten years.

As you might know there has been a kick-off conference organized by the European Commission on 19/20 July 2010in Brussels  to make a sort of inventory of all the ideas about the CAP 2013 that have been handed in to Commissioner Dacian Ciolos. Over 600 participants from many European and national stakeholders (agriculture, environment, rural devt, …) and Institutions participated. Several groups from our network also participated, and a proposal for a better CAP drawn up by researchers (see 'Documents') was distributed there. (see 'documents)

The results of the consultation and the conference will be used by DG AGRI ( Directorate General for Agriculture, European Commission) to prepare the communication which will be published around next November.

In the middle of 2011the legislative proposals will be presented by the Commission. Since the Lisbon treaty has now come into force the agricultural policy will be decided with full involvement of the European Parliament, the so called co-decision procedure between Council and EP. The EP already adopted its first report on CAP 2013 (rapporteur George Lyon) in July . That means that till the legislative proposals in summer 2011, this will be a crucial time to lobby for our vision of a new food and agriculture policy, and to try to involve all the relevant stakeholders in the debate. During the decision-making process after that, the debate will be focused on the legislative instruments proposed by the Commission. The decision-making process should take until the end of 2012.

What can YOU do to involve people in your country in these developments and in activities for food sovereignty?   

In the first place: check if other organisations in your country have already signed the European Food Declaration, and liaise with them. It is easier to organise things together with others.
The collecting of signatures is still continuing, so you could use any opportunity to direct people to the site. And you might try to get articles into the newspapers or other media and mention the website. You might also present the declaration to your members of Parliament (including the Members of the European Parliament), and ask their opinion (and write about THAT in the newspapers and on websites!)

 See ‘Best Practices’ on this website for info about 'food sovereingty' activities in Austria and Italy.
 

Please inform us of what has happened and is going to happen in your country!