Freshfel Eport Division vice-president Pino Calcagni has called for the role of traders to be fully recognised in the European Commission’s revision of the Common Market Organisation for Fruit and Vegetables (CMO).
In a discussion with Commission officials, a Freshfel delegation argued that although the 1996 CMO had various positive effects on the organisation of the fruit and vegetable sector, the system failed to reach a number of its original objectives.
Calcagni said: “Less than 40 per cent of the fruit and vegetable production in the EU is realised in the framework of the CMO. This rate could be increased by allowing for additional flexibility within the legislation, as well as harmonising rules across Europe.”
Another major shortcoming identified by Freshfel is the potential distorting effect of marketing activities undertaken by Producer Organisations on the operation of traders. Some 36 per cent of Operational Funds (OFs) are spent on marketing tools.
Calcagni added: “The message that we passed is that the Commission should explicitly and unambiguously recognise in the European legislation the value-adding role played by traders, by creating the possibility for exporters and expeditors to integrate with POs.”
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