A new CAP for development

Although the EU is by far the world’s largest donor of development aid, its Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) impedes EU’s efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, particularly the first MDG, declaring to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. The European Commission has recently released its Action Plan on the Millennium Development Goals, asking Member states to live up to their aid pledges and at the same time has called for a public consultation on the future of CAP. The UN Millennium Campaign organised this meeting to discuss the changes necessary in the CAP to reach the MDGs.

The greatest challenge towards achieving the MDGs is presented in African countries. According to the UN Millennium Campaign Founder, Evelyn Herfkens, although the EU has a responsibility to developing countries, it is inevitable that African countries also invest to reach the MDGs. Reducing poverty will require that dumping in developing countries markets be completely abolished, as local farmers cannot compete with subsidised production. Herfkens also called for more public awareness and greater transparency regarding subsidy allocation.

Alan Matthews, Director of the Institute for International Integration Studies and Professor of European Agricultural Policy, emphasised that the CAP has changed significantly over the last decades. Despite this, the EU still expects African countries to open their borders, but at the same time it subsidises exports. While food price spikes in 2008 showed the vulnerability of poorer countries, slowly increasing food prices could decrease poverty by increasing farmer’s revenues. Alan Mathews emphasised the need to discuss distribution of budgets between Member states and develop criteria for eligibility of subsidies, opening EU borders for imports and eliminating export subsidies and creating an internal African Market.

Teresa Cavero, Head of Research of Oxfam International, stated that EU politicians have lost their credibility; Even though CAP subsidies have been decoupled since 2003, little has changed as production has remained constant and exports have increased. Cavero refuted common arguments relating to European food self-sufficiency or the need to feed the world, stating that the EU is neither a closed market, nor is it the EU’s responsibility to feed the world. Rather, the EU should support developing countries in their own production.

For more information

UN Millenium Campaign

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