The role of the agri-food cooperatives

On 25 March 1957 was signed the Treaty of Rome, where establishing the European economic community. This fundamental document already contained the main provisions which should serve as a framework for development of what was then called (and continues to do so) the common agricultural policy (Cap).

In its founding act, the Commission expressly recognized the importance of the agricultural sector, while expressing its wish to maintain, since the first time a working closely with the representatives of agrarian organizations, which in 1958 was invited to attend as observers to the Conference of Stresa (Italy)which defined the basis for the design of the CAP.

Of as a result, on September 6, 1958 was founded the first representative of European agriculture, the Copa (Committee of professional agricultural organisations). Shortly thereafter, on 24 September 1959, the national agricultural cooperative organizations of member countries created its European representative organisation, the Cogeca (Committee General of the cooperative agricultural in the European Union), which brings together, in addition to agricultural cooperatives, to the fisheries. Then, the Cogeca had six members.

The Secretariat of the Cogeca merged with the Cup on December 1, 1962. Since then, the Organization has suffered six enlargements, still today, integrated, 35 effective members and four members affiliated to the Union. Also it is comprised of 36 member organizations collaborating.

In the context of the recent enlargements of the European Union, the Cup and the Cogeca have been reinforcing together its position as Europe's strongest farming representative organizations. The Cup and the Cogeca have hosted together 38 national agricultural and cooperative organizations of the new Member States. Both organizations are now 76 organizations of States members of the EU.

Cogeca, now called 'General Confederation of agricultural co-operatives in the European Union', currently represents the General and specific interests of some 40,000 agricultural cooperatives employing some 660,000 people, and whose annual global turnover exceeds EUR 300 billion. Since its inception, the Cogeca has enjoyed recognition from the European institutions as the main representative body and, in fact, as spokesman for the sector of the agricultural and fishing cooperatives as a whole.

The agricultural cooperatives in the European Union are an important socio-economic factor in the economic and social fields in general, because they hold a market share of more than 50% of the supply of agricultural inputs; they perform more than 60% of market share in the activities of collecting, processing and marketing of agricultural products.

Features of cooperatives

• They are at the same time associations of individual people and economic enterprises.
• They represent the extension of agricultural activity, allowing farmers to concentrate their power sourcing of inputs and machinery as well as they gather, transform and commercialized the production of its partners.
• Its activities are based on the principles of economic democracy, transparency and solidarity with each other and also with their local rural communities.
• They play a vital role in the adjustment of the production of its partners to the demands of consumers and the improvement of their economic efficiency and position in the market.
• They help to ensure environmentally-friendly quality products of the environment, from production to the market.
• They are important socio-economic actors in rural development, to be guarantors of the economic viability of rural areas, including in the less-favoured regions. To establish and exploit economic rural networks, information and service essential, they form the backbone of Europe's social landscape.

Spain:

During the inauguration of the 6th National Congress of food cooperatives, which was recently held in Zaragoza, the Prince of Asturias underlined in his speech that cooperatives are the only companies able to provide stable employment in rural areas, and to rise the quality of life of these areas and keep the food traditions of our country.

For its part, the Chairman of cooperative agro-food, the Aragonese Ferdinand Marcén, indicated that, effectively, the sector is going through difficult moments, but "is the time to analyze all that is happening in the market, knowing that they are doing the best and"above all, is the time to recover the illusion, making compliance with the fundamental principles of cooperativism. "Together we will be able, once again succeed with success and continue the firm commitment with the future of rural areas and with the thousands of families that are part of it". He also stressed that with this sixth Congress, the idea is foster partnerships and Intercooperation between cooperatives, and to visualize the role of 4,000 Spanish cooperatives and their importance in the food sector.

In this line, the Secretary of State of Rural Environment and water, Josep Puxeu, reiterated the role of cooperatives in the agri-food sector, first agro-industrial sector in Europe and Spain, with more than 1.2 million employees in this country, which occupies and manages 80% of European territory. "If this sector is strategic, cooperatives are clearly the engine", added.