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Drought severe in Southern Europe

The move came after Copa-Cogeca cereals working party assessed the situation. Ian Backhouse, Chairman of the Working Party stressed  "In Southern Europe, the drought is severe and only 30% of the EU cereals area is likely to be cultivated. We expect the extra-cost to re-sow the crop to reach around 200 million euros. We consequently urge the Commission to introduce measures for farmers to help them get through this difficult period and to maintain the production capacity of the EU, such as through advance payments and facilitating approval of state aid.

Frost Kill

He continued "Crops are also suffering from frost kill, causing farmers to plan to re-sow their areas which will increase their costs further. Unfortunately, due to the lack of seeds available, farmers will not be in position to plant what the market needs. The exemption for farmers to use farm saved seed in order to alleviate the lack of commercialized seed will help".

Copa-Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen concluded "After one year of the G20 decision, which aimed to increase transparency on the world commodities market, we are still facing huge uncertainty on world demand which gives no clear market signal to farmers. The situation must be impoved".

Oilseeds production could drop.

New Copa-Cogeca estimates for this years EU oilseeds harvest released today show the planting area is stabilising or declining slightly. At the same time, prospects on the world market show production is decreasing, reinforcing the need for the EU to maintain its production capacity.

Frost damage in east Europe

Gerard Tubery, Chairman of Copa-Cogeca Working Party on Oilseeds and Protein Crops said "This years EU-27 oilseeds production is expected to drop slightly by 3.3%, reaching 28.122 million tonnes, and has been showing a downward trend for the past two years. In view of drought and frost kill, these figures could also be revised downwards. At our Working Party , some delegations  complained of frost damage, especially in Poland, Germany and Eastern France, which will badly affect their rapeseed crop. Whilst Spain, Portugal, France  warned of severe drought this year affecting their oilseeds crop. World market forecasts  also  predict a production decline, with harvest prospects for the Brazilian soybean crop down on last year. It is consequently crucial for the EU to maintain its production capacity".

Copa-Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen continued "In view of this, we must have a strong Common Agricultural Policy in the future, with measures to manage the market".  

Full details of cereal production in the EU click here

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