The agm of the assembly of European fruit, vegetable and plant producing regions (AREFLH) held earlier this month in Sint Truiden, Belgium has called for improved crisis management measures for the fresh produce market across Europe.
Delegates were pleased that the assembly’s lobby activity has brought about the introduction of a crisis-management mechanism within the framework of the common marketing organisation (CMO) of the EU fruit and vegetable regime, however they denounced the inadequacy of these measures and called for the introduction of mutual funds, the externalisation of the CMO for free distribution of produce to those in need, the revaluation of withdrawal prices and support for investment allowing better regulation and control of the fresh produce offer.
The members of both the producers’ and the regions’ colleges of AREFLH also emphasized the need to develop and support joint activity between producers' organizations at regional, national and international level.
The assembly also used the meeting to reiterate its position on the importance of reciprocity in third-country trading agreements, in light of the EU’s recent deal with Morocco.
“Rules that European producers follow for the health of consumers and the environment must also be respected by third countries,” an AREFLH statement issued after the agm said.
The assembly also signed up two new Greek production regions at the meeting, western Macedonia and central Macedonia.
Central Macedonia produces more than 1.1 million tonnes of fruit on 113,000ha annually and 500,000 tonnes of vegetables on 20,000ha.
Some 25 per cent of its output is exported. The leading products are apples, melons, pears, peaches, cabbage, broccoli, salads, tomatoes and potatoes.
Western Macedonia is the second most important region for Greek apple production with an output of 70,000 tonnes.
Its other main produce lines are potatoes, tomatoes and peaches.
