European Agricultural Policy relevant for regions and cities

On behalf of the cross border MHAL-region (Maatricht-Heerlen-Hasselt-Aken-Luik), the provincial executive of Limburg hosted the conference. Governor Léon Frissen, the president of PURPLE Lenie Dwarshuis and Herman Vrehen (provicial delegate for Innovation and International Affairs of the Province of Limburg) welcomed all guests. The subject of the conference was the announced reform of the European Agricultural Policy, the so-called 'Health Check'. Agricultural experts of the European Commision, the European Parliament, the Ministry of LNV, the Dutch Council for Rural Areas, LTO Netherlands and the 13 PURPLE member Regions participated in the lively debates.

The PURPLE Network presented a position paper describing its vision on agriculture in the near future. PURPLE feels that the importance of the open space around the European cities should be involved in the discussions about climate change and the food supply. Open space has an important function for the production of food , but is also very important for the quality of life and working conditions in metropoles. Therefore, PURPLE wants to be present at the discussions about the European Agricultural Policy.

Several attendees made strong statements. Member of the Europarliament, Esther de Lange warned that the number of citizens of the world that live in famine today reached already 800 million. Considering the growth of the world population as well as the growing demand for food in China and India, the food production has to double in the 15 years to come. That is to say, if we wish to shop in the supermarkets in the same way as we do now.

Trudy van Megen, the vice director of Knowhouse, showed some futurist images of eco-friendly, industrialized agrarian-production parks. She predicted that it would be necessary to develop these parks especially in peri-urban areas in the next years. Though very interesting, some attendees considered this a nightmare scenario.

Herman Vrehen and Frank van Oorschot of the LTO Nethetlands pleaded for more investments and innovation en modernisation of the agriculture sector. According to Herman Vrehen the innovation needs to lead the way to sustainable development and food production, the so called Cradle 2 Cradle approach.

Member of European Parlement Mr Jan Mulder explained the audience about his idea to qualify and label European products that would be consument friendly. This way the consumer knows that these products are produced in an environmental, animal- and human friendly manner.

Alderman from Amsterdam mrs Marijke Vos added her contribution to the debate. 'The European cities and regions have to invest in regional food production". These investments can create opportunities to reduce the healt problems of the city populations. The social legitimation of the agriculture policy is at stake. This policy has to contribute to the social desires considering animal protection, the environment and maintenance of landscapes, especially in the peri-urban regions.