Speech Third Slovenian Rural Parliament

Toespraak | 07-10-2015

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for inviting me to speak here today. It was an invitation I couldn't refuse. With its mountains, forests and grasslands, Slovenia is a country of outstanding natural beauty. 1 of the greenest in the world. I understand why your tourist board stresses the 'love' in the name Slovenia.

But Slovenia is more than a romantic spot. It has a well-educated, hard-working population of 2, 000 000 people. It's also strategically located between eastern and western Europe, making it an excellent logistics hub. Slovenia is a country that the Netherlands likes to do business with. Trade between our countries is expanding fast. In fact, Dutch exports to Slovenia grew by more than 17 per cent last year, reaching the highest level in six years

But our bilateral relations are not only about trade. They’re also about cooperation, especially in agriculture.

Dutch and Slovenian companies are working together on irrigation and water management projects. Our universities are conducting joint research into cattle breeding. And in horticulture, we've created the perfect partnership: between Dutch knowledge and technology, and young Slovenian entrepreneurs. It's led to successful companies like Ocean Orchids and Paradise tomatoes. And I understand more successes are in the pipeline.

All these forms of collaboration show that our countries have common ground. Of course, your country has mountains and mine is flat. Yours is largely rural, mine is highly urbanised. But by and large we face the same challenges. How can we make our agriculture sector more competitive, while securing jobs for the future? What is the role of agriculture in a living countryside? How can we raise production levels and contribute to global food security? How can we make agriculture climate-smart? Can we halve our inputs to boost climate resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

These challenges call for strategic choices at global level, at European level, and at regional, member-state level. These choices are reflected in the new Common Agricultural Policy. The CAP's first pillar contains rules on support for farmers, and establishes a level playing field. This is a key condition for a well-functioning internal market. And for consolidating the position of European agriculture on the world market.

The CAP's second pillar is rural development. This policy aims to make the sector more sustainable and more innovative. And to protect important values, like natural beauty and liveability. At EU level we’ve set the main priorities, but it's up to member states and regions to design programmes geared to their own situation and challenges.

Slovenia was one of the first member states to submit its programme to the Commission and have it approved. This ambitious spirit is typical of your agricultural sector. And your minister. The plan itself is also steeped in ambition. Its aim is to restore, preserve and enhance ecosystems related to agriculture and forestry. And it includes tailormade plans for improving biodiversity and soil and water management in large parts of your country. It also addresses local development in rural areas, which you propose to achieve through training and knowledge transfer to people and businesses. Finally, you want to step up cooperation between farms, processing companies and research institutions. This should lead to new products, shorter supply chains and a level of animal welfare over and above mandatory standards. These are all commendable ambitions.

And it's with regard to that last goal – closer public-private cooperation – that the Netherlands could play a bigger role. We have a lot of experience with cooperation between business (including farmers), knowledge institutions and government. These partnerships have led to deeper understanding and new technologies. Like milking robots, irrigation systems and energy-producing greenhouses. We want to share and apply this expertise with other countries, to take innovation further. Because we’re convinced that innovation is key to a successful agricultural sector in Europe, now and in the future.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Netherlands will hold the Presidency of the EU in the first half of 2016.

As chair of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, I aim to contribute to the sector's success and boost its competitive position. By simplifying regulation, to improve the functioning of the internal market. And by providing more scope for innovation and sustainability.

We can't modernise the Common Agricultural Policy in six months. That will remain a key concern until the CAP review in 2020. With a strong CAP, the European agriculture sector will be able to take on the world. We can contribute to that on a smaller scale too, by working together where possible. And my Slovenian counterpart Dejan Židan and I intend to do just that.

Hvala lepa.

[Thank you.]