The CAP, yesterday, today and tomorrow VI: the first tries to change the CAP

1. The CAP, yesterday, today and tomorow
2015/2016
SBSEM and European Commission
6.The first attempts at change
Tomás García Azcárate

2. On changes in public policies I
• Politicians are generally reluctant to real changes.
They avoid them as much as possible if there is
any alternative.
• So changes always happen late, when the
problems have worsened
• Need to build coalitions and to have a deep
knowledge of the real issues and blocking points
of each partner

3. On changes in public policies II
• Always step by steps, with inflexion and not
break-even points
• You never achieve your objectives but it is a
success if you advance in the right direction
• 1968: the Mansholt plan. The montain that
delivered a mouse.

4. The coresponsibility levies period
(1973-1982) I
• First (1973) and second (1975) proposal for a
milk coresponsibility levy for milk
• 1975: "The Commission is working to simplify the
agricultural regulations"
• 1977: Milk coresponsibility levy
• 1980: proposed extension of the coresponsibility
principle to other products such as cereals,
processed fruit and vegetables, beef, tobacco or
wine
the mountain that acouche mouse

5. The coresponsibility levies period
(1973-1982) II
• 1981: The Commission proposes to bring EU
prices closer to third countries prices +
guarantees have to be limited + possible direct
support for small farmers + additional milk levy
• 1982: Council approves guaranteed threshold for
cereals, rice, rapeseed, milk and processed
tomatoes

6. The coresponsibility levies period
(1973-1982) III

7. The coresponsibility levies period
(1973-1982) IV

8. The stabilizers period
(1983-1991) I
• 1983: Stuttgard European Council conclusions on
agricultural budget:
• 1984: Milk quotas

9. The stabilizers period
(1983-1991) II
• 1985: The Green Paper: wonderful analysis;
conservative proposals
• 1986: cereal coresponsibility levy; guaranteed
threshold replaced by Maximum Guaranteed
Quantities (MGQ) for oilseeds
• 1987: Buying intervention prices for cereals
(94%). MGQ for olive oil

10. The stabilizers period
(1983-1991) III
• 1988: MGQ for tobacco; guaranteed threshold for
processed tomatoes, citrus, peaches and
nectarines; intervention threshold for fresh
tomatoes, citrus, peaches and nectarines +
voluntary set aside
• 1988: Financial guideline: agricultural budget can
only increase by the inflation rate and 74% of the
GDP growth

11. If you want to know more …
• DG AGRI webpage:
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/index_en.htm
• My webpage:
http://tomasgarciaazcarate.com
• Twitter: Tgarciaazcarate
• Linkedin: Tomas Garcia Azcarate
• Facebook: Tomas Garcia Azcarate