The members of the monitoring committee of the Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland, strategy group for rural development, working group on agri-environment payments, working group on animal welfare payments and guidance group on rural network and it's working groups and the local action groups were asked to state their views on how the agricultural policy of the EU should be implemented after 2013. Replies came from Finnish Federation for the Animal Welfare Associations (SEY), the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (SLL), Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira), National Council of Women in Finland (NJKL), Birdlife Finland (BLF), and six local action groups (LAGs). In addition, communication on the consultation was circulated widely. Why do we need a European common agricultural policy? A common agricultural policy is needed to ensure equitable development of rural regions in different parts of the Union despite the natural handicaps or economic situation and preconditions for rural development in different countries. Through a common agricultural policy the values prevailing in the societies within the EU – relating to e.g. environmental protection, conditions of animals or working conditions – are realized better in farming than in a situation where agricultural practices would only be steered by the market mechanisms. Policy is also needed to give even better access than today for those engaged in agriculture to know-how that improves their possibilities to operate in a way desired by the society (SEY). Minimum requirements concerning the environment that are binding on all Member States are also needed (SLL). The agricultural policy which is fundamentally common to all Member States needs to continue. There is severe threat that those Member States who decide to heavily support environmentally sound production will be losing on the free market in the short run (BLF). In the future, too, the main objective must be to secure the food supply by means of economically sustainable agricultural production. Profitable production can be ensured through rural development by e.g. supporting genuinely innovative business ideas and development projects in situations where the funds for development would such funds would otherwise not be available or they would be insufficient (Evira). A common policy guarantees a consistent development of the European countryside, as well as the success of the less-favored areas as well. The consumer confidence in safe foodstuffs may not be betrayed. (NJKL). A common policy should maintain a fair competitive situation between farms and allow to practice agriculture in all parts of the Union. The need for a common agricultural and rural policy brings the EU Member States, residents and rural entrepreneurs on a more equal standing. Now the problem is the predominant position of agriculture in rural development. The concentration of these policies within the EU means that they are not so easily moved by national political ambitions, which may vary very rapidly (LAGs).