L'exploitation agricole et son avenir dans la communauté économique européenne

Farms and their future within the EEC - The text below contains extracts from two lectures given to representatives of the agricultural professions of two French Départements during the winter 1970- 1971. In the first part the author describes Me present factures of farms and farmers within the EEC. In particular he points out that the six million or so farms which existed in the Community in 1966-67 were extremely disparate and that most of them provided insufficient incomes for the farmers ; most than three quarters of agricultural work being done by family members. The majority of farmers are old and three quarters of them have no potential successor ; furthermore, the technological level of the farmers is very low. In the second part Mr. Baillet shows what prospects are offered to agriculture between now and 1980 by the proposals of the Commission of the European Communities : by that time farmers will only number 3.2 million, and 1.3 million of them, as a result of the exceptional efforts which are planned, will be at the head of up-to-date undertakings ; still employing 6 % of the population, agriculture will provide about 5 to 6 % of the gross internal product. The author also explains the deep motives behind the Commission's proposals and goes on to describe the complex political manœuvre which faces the EEC Council of Ministers. Finally, he forecasts a marathon session ending with positive results. This marathon did indeed take place in the shadow of the farmers' demonstrations which are now part of history -- and finished on 25 March with an agreement which is outlined in a postscript.