The following organisations were represented at the conference:
Slovakia: Rural Platform, Slovak Farmers Association (SFS), a group of Slovakian agricultural advisors
Poland: National Council of Agricultural Chambers (KRIR)
Hungary: The National Association of Hungarian Farmers’ Circles and Farmers Cooperatives (MAGOSZ), Agricultural and Rural Youth Association (AGRYA)
Austria: Austrian Chamber of Agriculture (LKÖ)
Czech Republic: Association of Private Farming of the Czech Republic (ASZ ČR)
Introduction of conference participants:
At the end of the international conference the participants of the conference have agreed to the following conclusions:
1.By definition, family farms have an interest in maintaining the environment, water, soil and biodiversity in the best possible condition for future generations.
2.Family farms are important also due to many non-financial benefits for society. Their specific functions and activities in rural areas are irreplaceable.
3.The system must be open to young farmers up to 40 years. The preservation of generational continuity on the farms is a key priority.
4.Within the framework of the CAP EU, direct payments need to be better unambiguously targeted at the most vulnerable groups of applicants, in particular smaller and middle size farms.
5.Family farms are severely affected by the growing administrative burden, which is difficult for them to cope with given the nature of their activities. It is essential to substantially simplify the administrative requirements linked to support and support-related controls.
The participants of the conference consider the following topics to be of outmost importance to be discussed:
1.Legal definition of family farm and essential support for these business activities not only in the framework of the CAP EU. A guarantee that private property, soil and other means of production are protected.
2.Mandatory introduction of redistribution payments and the capping of direct payments.
3.Exclusion of so-called “eco-schemes” from the capping of direct payments.
4.Benefits of the monitoring of nutrient balance vs. the risk of the excess bureaucracy burden.
5.Fulfilment of the aim of the “genuine farmer” condition implementation and protection of the businesses which have diversified their activities in the past.
6.Introduction of a “small farmers scheme“ enabling a substantial simplification of administration and controls.
Final conclusion from the conference available here:
FINAL CONCLUSION FORM THE CONFERENCE IN TELČ
Power Point presentations from the conference available here:
SLOVAKIA_SPOLOK FARMAROV SLOVENSKA_VIDIECKA PLATFORMA