At the start of the plenary session, MEPs commemorate the 60th anniversary of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The ceremony is taking place at an important juncture, with the war in Ukraine bringing into sharp relief how vital it is to guarantee food security, one of the CAP’s main goals. The EU adopted a substantial reform of its CAP at the end of last year, which will enter into force in 2023. Opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President. This transcription is a resultof an authomatic process. Please check against delivery.

Strasbourg

plenary session

ceremony

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

CAP reform (T)

60th anniversary of the Common Agriculture Policy (T)

Ceremony on the 60th Anniversary of the CAP: opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The first item on the agenda is the ceremony on the 60th anniversary of the Common Agricultural Policy. This is an important point, our colleagues. Today we have with us Minister Fesneau and Commissioner Wojciechowski. Few words from my side before we watch a short video. Today we mark the 60th anniversary, Dear Colleagues, of our Common Agricultural Policy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, A monumental policy for our union. Can I ask you, dear colleagues, to keep quiet while you exit the room? So today, as we said, we mark the 60th anniversary. This is a policy that has enabled us to increase productivity, ensure the availability of reasonably priced food and provide fair living standards to farmers.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Colleagues, our Common Agricultural Policy has transformed Europe. Our farmers not only provide us with the food security that we need, they also export around €180 billion worth of agri products to third countries. Europe's quality products have helped feed the world, but we must also consider the challenges that lie ahead.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Only 11% of farm managers in the EU are under the age of 40. Our agri sector is in desperate need of an influx of skilled young farmers that can boost innovation. We need to approach farming with a fresh perspective. We also need to pay closer attention to the quality of our products and sustainability of production process.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, This is why we need to speed up and gear up our efforts to make farming as environmentally friendly as possible. And the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, together with the Farm to Fork Strategy, are tailor made for this purpose. Another challenge is the rising costs of production that will soon lead to higher food prices.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Fertiliser prices rose by 30% since the beginning of 2022. Increases in fuel costs are reaching record levels. Inflationary pressure is having an enormous effect on the day to day management of our 10 million farms in the European Union. And here I must emphasise the immense disruption of trade in grain and cereals as a consequence of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Blockades of ports and an inability to find alternative ways to transport agricultural products in and out of Ukraine has led to higher prices and a sense of instability. The pressure that it has caused on global food supply chains is extremely worrying. If Ukraine is not allowed to toilets fields, we are looking at a global multi year lack of food supplies.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, All these decisions and challenges need a decisive and firm reaction from us. Agriculture is a strategic sector of our economy. And on this milestone anniversary, let me end by paying tribute to all the people behind the success of our Common Agricultural Policy, the farmers, their families, and all other ancillary workers that put a huge effort in the fields. Come rain or shine, they are the true narrators of this success story.