Today, Christiane Lambert, President of FNSEA, was elected President of COPA, the organization which represents European farmers in Brussels, for two years, succeeding Joachim Rukwied (DBV, Germany). She will be accompanied by a team of six vice-presidents representing the diversity of European geography and agriculture.

Following the announcement of her election, Christiane Lambert said, “I am honored by the confidence of my European colleagues, but I am also aware of the responsibilities that fall on this Presidency. Farmers across Europe are worried because there are many uncertainties and challenges. Whether on the CAP, strategies within the framework of the European Green Pact, Brexit or the Recovery Plan, we must find collective responses at a European level in the near future. I am convinced that agriculture is a strategic sector for Europe - the COVID crisis has demonstrated this. Europe must make food sovereignty a strategic objective again and thus restore real ambition to its agriculture and hope to its farmers. This is crucial for the renewal of generations and the arrival of many young farmers. "

This presidency comes at a crucial time for European farmers, when key decisions will be taken in the coming months, starting with the finalization of the next European Financial Framework for 2021-2027, the Recovery Plan, Brexit, the reform of the CAP, and the implementation of the Commission's “Farm to Table” and Biodiversity 2030 strategies.

In line with the orientations of the FNSEA, Christiane Lambert will defend European agriculture that is both productive and sustainable, connected and open to innovations. Agriculture needs "more Europe" and "better Europe", that is to say an ambitious Europe for agricultural production and food for European citizens, a Europe which protects farmers, a Europe that contributes to improving their income and supports them in the agro-ecological transition, a Europe that recognizes the efforts made on the ground and the role of agriculture as an essential solution to climate change.

For this, the collective action taken by COPA is essential, in the common interest of all European farmers and taking into account the diversity of European agriculture.