"Don't forget that Europe imports more food and agricultural products from all over the world than US, Canada and Australia put together, and 85% of African agricultural exports go to Europe," De Castro stressed.
While Europe should continue to be an open market, "the standards and rules followed by EU farmers should be followed even by the people who want to export to Europe," the socialist MEP said, adding that EU farmers would otherwise face unfair competition from the rest of the world.
The United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only allows bottles of wine to be exported to the USA if US rules are followed, "and this is exactly what we have to introduce in Europe," De Castro argued.
In a speech delivered in early March to France's annual agricultural forum, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said it was not normal for European farmers to be required to respect strict rules on issues like traceability, for example, while third countries can export farm products and meat to Europe without abiding by such rules. EU rules and standards need to be imposed on exporters as well, he said, referring to such reciprocity as the "Community preference".
On animal welfare, De Castro noted for example that as of 2012 it will no longer be possible to grow chickens in boxes on EU territory. "It is important that others follow the same standards so that more stringent production requirements in the EU don't merely lead to relocation of production to areas where standards are lower," he said.
Europe to trigger sustainable farming practices worldwide
Emphasising the importance of reciprocal standards and rules, De Castro argued that reciprocity can even help Europe to push others "in the right direction".
His comments come as the EU prepares itself for a major overhaul of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the post-2013 era, in a bid to tap into agriculture's increasingly recognised potential to mitigate climate change and deliver various other environmental benefits, such as improved soil and water quality (EurActiv 26/01/10; EurActiv 28/01/10).
De Castro believes future CAP payments will be linked much more closely to the delivery of such green goods and services. He also argued that the planned payments for 'environmental public goods' would fall into the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) 'green box' of non-trade distorting measures.
To read the interview with De Castro in full, please click here.
