(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, JAN 23- Rice farmers from all over Europe
(Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Bulgaria, Romania, Portugal and
Hungary) have reiterated their request to activate the safeguard
clause in order to reduce imports of duty free rice from some
least developed countries such as Cambodia and consider rice as
a 'sensitive' good in trade negotiations.
The farmers met in Brussels at the 2nd forum of the European
rice sector. In addition to these aspects, the chairman of their
organization, Paolo Carrà, underlined ''the need to discuss
other proposals, such as the country-of-origin labeling, the
request for extraordinary EU measures and funds dedicated to
this sector''. ''The quantities in stock and imports from
countries that are not a benchmark in terms of respect of basic
human rights are putting unbearable pressure on prices - the
president of European rice farmers Bertrand Mazel - therefore,
we must have a more offensive attitude to protect the sector''.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the ministries of
the French, Spanish and Italian farmers and MEPs, such as Paolo
De Castro, Tiziana Beghin, Salvatore Cicu, Alberto Cirio, Angelo
Ciocca, and the assistants of Lara Comi and Mara Bizzotto.
(ANSA)
© Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved