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We propose a NATIONAL STRATEGY for Agriculture that will support:
(I)
In Planned Development, which presupposes:
economically substantiated Programme with the triptych axis: "Competitive
Agriculture - Regional Development - Social Protection" and
elaborated Policies by product sector and by region.
(II)
The redesign of the Ministry of Agriculture, in order to:
a) Become the farmer's advisor
b) Become a competent negotiator and defender
of Greek interests in the European Union (EU).
c) Meritocracy should replace partisanship.
National Debt: The rescue and development of agriculture should take place
before 2003, the year when the GATT "peace clause" expires.
Need: For a New Relationship between Farmer and State (credibility and
cooperation) with the aim of a major and planned Revision of our Agricultural
Policy.
NATIONAL LEVEL:
Agricultural Policy Council (RDP).
To become a small body with decisive responsibilities, which will provide
solutions to the problems of the rural world, with the aim of promoting a
self-reliant and self-financed agricultural and livestock development.
Agricultural debts.
Settlement of overdue debts of natural persons without the traps of high
interest rates and mortgages/write-off of default interest/abolition of penalty
interest from now on, new financing conditions, incentives for consistent
borrowers and large families, changes in the operating regime of ATE.
Reduction of Production Costs
Transit Oil, VAT on supplies at 8%, exemption on building permits, change of
taxation criteria, reduction of the cost of money.
Registration of the Agricultural Profession & Reconstruction of Cooperatives.
Immediate adoption of a new modern Law on the Operation of ASOs (single ballot
paper - elimination of labor paternity - promotion of Interprofessional
Organizations and Producer Groups).
Young and Homeless Farmers.
Substantial support of Young Farmers but also attraction of young people of
non-agricultural origin, regulation of issues of workers from third countries
and illegal immigrants, as well as resolution of insurance and pension problems.
Agricultural Plot Growth and Alternative Agriculture.
Changes in inheritance law, tax and credit policy for the acquisition of
agricultural land by farmers, early retirement, land parcels and direct
promotion of ecological and energy agriculture.
Exports.
Creation: Register of Importers-Exporters, Single Control Body for Food and
Beverages, Institute of Agricultural Market Products, Offices of Agricultural
Attachés in the major foreign markets and the Commodities Exchange in
Thessaloniki (as Valencia, Spain, Amsterdam and USA).
Pension and Insurance System.
Improvement of the ratio of the premium to the pension of the farmer and full
insurance coverage of all risks of the primary agricultural sector.
Vocational Training - Information.
Promotion of "lifelong education" programs for young farmers, livestock breeders
and fish farmers and the presence of the farmer in the modern "information
society".
Investment Policy - Research - Forests
Doubling of State Budget funds and reallocation (increase) of Community Support
Framework resources for agriculture by 30% aiming at infrastructure projects
(land improvement, water management, transport, product processing), research in
the rural area with emphasis on genetic material and forest protection and
development.
COMMUNITY LEVEL:
Immediate Comprehensive Renegotiation of the Disastrous Tobacco (1992), Cotton
(1995), Rice (1995) and Fruit and Vegetables (1996) Regulations.
Dynamic preventive intervention for regulations already under discussion: oil -
wine / grapes - cereals - milk and dairy products.
Measures for declining areas (mountainous, semi-mountainous, island) and the
protection of the farmer from natural disasters with the creation of a special
Fund (mature issues in informal Councils of Ministers of Agriculture that are
unjustifiably delayed).
An initiative for the protection and preferential treatment of all products of
the Member States that are in deficit at EU level (all the Member States will
support it, while the Mediterranean countries will benefit the most) and at the
same time the revision of the EU Preferential Agreements with Mediterranean
third countries.
Sincere Cooperation with the EU to combat fraud (the main reason for the
adoption of strict and unfair Regulations).
Networking of Greek interests in the Bodies of the European Commission
(development of contacts between Greek State Officials, Producer Groups and
Diplomats with the Commission), in order to explain, influence and prevent
issues before they reach the Councils of Ministers, where the "alliances" are
created, the battles are fought and the decisions are taken.
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