ORAMA has asked the Minister of Agriculture to intervene with European authorities, and specifically on July 16, at the Council of Agriculture Ministers, requesting a 0% rate for compulsory set-aside for the sowing of the 2008 crop.

The situation on the grain market is very tight, mainly because for six out of seven years (and very soon for seven out of eight years) world production has fallen short of consumption.  This means the European Union should send out a clear message.
 
This opportunity is also needed for grain-using industries in Europe, the most immediately concerned being the animal feed industry.
 
The request made by ORAMA is only for the sowing of the crop to be harvested in 2008.  Compulsory set-aside should be debated more extensively as part of the review for the CAP Health Check, for which ORAMA will be presenting relevant proposals, taking into account current use of set-aside for energy-producing and environmental purposes.
 
Contact : Pascal HURBAULT, 01 44 31 16 25