During a meeting held on 7 November with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Cioloș, the President of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), Ramon Luis Valcárcel, underlined the potential of the agricultural sector in delivering smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. He is therefore against any cut to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget.

Ramon Luis Valcárcel, President of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) pointed out that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget must be maintained to help not only protect the livelihood of farmers, but create a more competitive and sustainable market, at a meeting held on 7 November with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Cioloș. Valcárcel also said that the CAP was crucial in supporting farmers to work and live with dignity within a common market whilst minimising their reliance on subsidies. In May 2012, Members of the Committee of the Regions already called for a fairer CAP.

President Valcárcel highlighted that whilst he supported reform of the CAP, its scope should not be reduced. Commissioner Cioloș welcomed the support of the Committee of the Regions for a strong budget for the CAP as proposed by the European Commission. He also added that the CAP plays a decisive role in generating jobs and growth in regions all across the European Union and promotes a balanced development of our rural territories.

Given the importance of the agricultural sector for the EU, it was imperative to stabilise agricultural product costs and manage price volatility, underlined Mr Valcárcel. More regulation was needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the market, create employment, promote growth and protect the environment.