The agricultural sector analyses the situation of the market

Last may, operators of food and agricultural raw materials and its industrial transformers, as well as public institutions and indirectly involved professional associations met in Madrid in order to deepen the knowledge of the situation, described as "extreme volatility and uncertainty" facing the market. Its intention is also the generate discussion on the management of trade and supply of raw materials.

The day began with a presentation by José María Sumpsi, UPM Professor and former Deputy Director of the FAO, who spoke on the agriculture and volatility, accusing the imbalance between supply and global demand as the main cause because of the growth of emerging economies and noting the increase in production as a major challenge.

The day had five groups of work, in which after the exhibition of experts and back debate, arrived to a series of conclusions. The first group treated the subject of the ‘commercialisation/commercialization of cereals', whereas the second, carried by title ‘vegetal Proteins, a very esteemed'. The third group treated the ‘management of the risk and security in the supply' and the chamber, treated in depth the subject ‘production and commercialisation/commercialization of insumos for the production agroalimentaria'. The last of the groups focused in the ‘analysis and prospectiva of the production and consumption agroalimentario'.

This last group precisely left clear that the mentioned volatility “can mitigate by means of the application of mechanisms of management of markets” as it realises/realizes already in other supplies, but described the agricultural politics European like “contradictory and unacceptable”. The reasons of such calificativos were that, as they commented, Europe “allows to go in in our market products that can not produce ‘in situ'. This is applicable –comment– to the OGM and to many other agricultural practices (phytosanitary), graziers (animal welfare) or veterinary (veterinary medicines)”.

In this group included also that "the current orientation of the CAP is not adapted to the new stage, as it highlights broad scope that is planned reform". They also explained that "the European model of production generates additional costs that limit the competitiveness at the international level".

On the other hand, claim that "the protracted situation of the primary sector will lead to the decline in agricultural exports with demographic, economic, social and environmental consequences". They also explained the importance of water as "one of the most limiting factors of growth and development of the countries of this century" and protested against "the gaps in research in agri-food." On this last point, stressed that in Spain and in Europe the deficiency "is notable, whatever elements that are used to compare ourselves with other countries".

Before such an approach, the same five group raised a number of measures taken that could benefit the sector. Within the framework of the CAP, the Panel considered essential "the existence of mechanisms of management of the markets, facilitating the possibility of maintaining stocks of security in basic grains". Also proposed "apply contractual procedures" to solve the shortage of raw materials for animal feed at Spain.

In his view, the European Union "not should renounce biotechnology to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the primary sector", to avoid synchronicity in the authorisations of new events. On the other hand, this working group said that it should be "policies dictated on the control of the so-called meat meal-rethink". They also raised the urgent need to "reorient the CAP, to develop"policies aimed at increasing agricultural production in general and the proteaginosa in particular"."

They were also proposed other solutions such as working in "the balance of the agrifood chain to move efficiently in production costs in each of the links", as "foster the existence of reciprocity for food imports in international organizations" or even "transmit to society the need to increase the production of food in a sustainable way" using best available technologies to ensure supply.