Association of private farming of the Czech Republic is a member of European farmers’ organization COPA, which represents more than 23 million farmers and their families from all over Europe. Together with COGECA European organization for agri-cooperatives organized Congress of European Farmers close to Athens in Greece. The title of the congress “Opportunities for European agriculture: Green growth and dynamic markets” was held on 5th – 6th October 2016 to support discussion on various topics in the frame of European agriculture such as how to ensure sustainable, innovative and economical viable agricultural sector in the future.

Interesting discussion during the event ensured speakers from the whole world. For instance European Commissar for agriculture Phil Hogan, representatives of the European Parliament, Chairman for Rural development Czeslaw Adam Siekierski and Werner Schmidt from European Investment Bank. A part of the 28 EU country members and European authorities partners form Switzerland, Island and Norway were participating as well.

High quality of agricultural products

Innovation in practice – adding value and better use of resources was discussed in the first part. Mads H. Dorff a policy advisor for bio economy in Danish agriculture highlighted that farmers should be a part of research and open to changes in Europe as well as to international trade. “It is needed to appreciate the value of agricultural products, after all EU is one of the best producers of milk in the world” said Dorff.

Financing

Other panel discussion was focused on financial innovation for agricultural sector. A project manager Siegfried Popperl from German insurance bank (Bürgschaftsbank NRW) led the dialog. “We support mainly small and medium enterprises and farm succession because without it, it is impossible” he said. Most of the farmers are with their financing satisfied as well as banks. Only in the case when farmers only rent land (not own land) banks do not trust farmers so much. Popperl also highlighted that financing for agricultural sector is crucial especially for development and modernization of the farm, which will enable younger generation to take over.

Every farm has different needs

A member of council GAIA Epicherien, Fotis Chatzipapadopoulos spoke mainly about precisions farming. “We should identify exactly the needs and technologies for every form separately due to targeting particularly profit and social situation” mentioned. “By doing this we could receive basic data from each farm, process it and consequently create practical advice and recommendations for the farmer, which will safe them time and work” added Chatzipapadopoulos.

At the end of the Congress Martin Merrild president of COPA had a couple of words to finish the event. We should fight more against bureaucracy. The effort of the Commissar Merrild acknowledged but he added that this is not enough. European agriculture needs simple and properly targeted rules.