Agricultural policies in Europe
Recommendation 476
(1967)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly Debate on 25th January 1967 (21st Sitting) (see Doc. 2166, report of the Committee on Agriculture). Text adopted by the Assembly on 25th January 1967 (21st Sitting).
The Assembly,
1. Having noted the report of the Committee on Agriculture on agricultural policies in Europe and recalling its Recommendations 411 (1965) and 452 (1966) on the same matter ;
2. Considering that the ever increasing international interdependence in all spheres of economic and social life requires that member countries mutually adapt their policies, including their agricultural policies ;
3. Considering the urgent task for Europe to contribute efficiently to a solution of the world food problem ;
4. Considering the need to reverse the existing tendency for a proliferation of measures of defence and retaliation in the field of international trade in agricultural products through a continuing confrontation of national policies, with the aim of reaching understanding on the determining elements of agricultural policies and on their common orientation as a prerequisite for a more rational development of agricultural trade and production ;
5. Recognising that the achievement of a common organisation of agricultural markets within the six member countries of EEC constituted an outstanding feature of the integration process within EEC and stressing that EEC assumes great responsibility with regard to a wider understanding on agricultural policies ;
6. Believing that such understanding should not merely represent a compromise on the lowest common denominator but should embrace firm provisions for the development of rational price, production and structural reform policies, while taking into account the need for a normalisation of world markets ;
7. Considering that it would be appropriate as soon as possible to reach agreement on the steps to be taken with regard to agricultural trade after the conclusion of the Kennedy Round, and believing that such agreement could also be useful for the purpose of aligning the position of European countries and groups of countries with regard to the forthcoming UNCTAD Conference,
8. Recommends the Committee of Ministers,
9. A.
to invite the Governments of member States :
a to initiate steps for the achievement of a common orientation of agricultural policies aiming at an equitable exploitation of the agricultural resources of all member States ;
b in this context to explore the possibilities for :
9.2.1 a gradual reduction of intervention in the field of agricultural prices combined with an effective incomes policy for the agricultural community ;
9.2.2 the achievement of freer price formation reflecting the relation of supply and demand, thereby also regulating the balance between various branches of agricultural production ;
9.2.3 further encouragement of the reform of agricultural structures which would enable producers to react more swiftly to altering market situations and freer price development ;
10. B.
to explore with the Council of OECD, through the Liaison Committees of the two Organisations, ways and means of implementing the recommendations as set out under point 8 - A above.
