MANAGING RESOURCES

Agricultural Policy Agriculture has been a far more prominent issue on the EU agenda than it is on the agendas of most economically developed states. At the heart of EU activities has been the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which began as a system of price supports designed to prevent food shortages. CAP encouraged greater production, but also swallowed large amounts of spending, skewed European and global markets, and raised the ire of environmentalists. Reforms to CAP have switched the focus from quantity to quality, breaking the link between payments and the amount that farmers produce.

Fisheries Policy Though not as expensive or controversial as agricultural policy, fisheries policy has been the target of an equally sustained programme of political attention. Fishing employs relatively few people in Europe, but has knock-on effects for coastal communities and for all EU coastal member states. The Common Fisheries Policy was adopted in 1983, focusing on managing fishing fleets and catches, along with the welfare of the marine environment. But overfishing remains a problem in European waters as it does all over the world, and a more effective global regime is needed.

Fisheries Policy

Environmental Policy The environment came late to the European policy agenda, drawing sustained political and public attention only from the late 1960s. EU policy focuses on sustainable development, and EU activities have focused on air and water quality, waste control, chemicals, and the protection of biodiversity. EU chemicals policy has tightened up controls and management at home and has had global implications by affecting all states that seek access to the European market. The EU has set itself ambitious targets on climate change, but has failed to build a global leadership position.

Environmental Policy