The Positives of European Farming and Regulation System:
The European Food Safety Authority judges all GMOs on a case-by-case basis, requiring the GMOs to obtain authorization through a meticulous process which requires each GMO proposal to go before a committee and be authorized or denied within three months. If authorized, the labeling of the end product reflects the presence of GMOs within the product in order to provide consumers with the knowledge, to further, make an informed decision as to whether or not consume the product. In contrast to the strict regulation of GMOs in the EU, within the US, regulation is comparably favorable to the development of GMOs. The production of GMOs is an important factor in the US economy as the Biotechnology industry contributes significantly to the US economy due to the US being the leading producer of GMO crops. This GMO regime within the US has led to the rise of agricultural behemoths like Monsanto, which control the seed industry with the US. The one year life span of seeds provided by Monsanto require farmers to purchase new seeds annually, often under contract, which is expensive and requires farmers to “go big” in order to survive. The corporate agricultural industry within the US minimizes the profitability for small farms.
The European policies within CAP look to help the "underdog" which in America is the Family Farm. Europe seeks to build their family farms up and encourage them to continue production and to aid in increase of income. In the US, we do not place necessity on these family farms and the USDA has failed at helping the "underdog" but rather encourages the bullying corporate farm, which drives the rural family farms deeper into danger. Europe seeks to expand these rural farms, whereas America seeks to hide them behind corporatized farming that is funded by the federal government.
The European policies within CAP look to help the "underdog" which in America is the Family Farm. Europe seeks to build their family farms up and encourage them to continue production and to aid in increase of income. In the US, we do not place necessity on these family farms and the USDA has failed at helping the "underdog" but rather encourages the bullying corporate farm, which drives the rural family farms deeper into danger. Europe seeks to expand these rural farms, whereas America seeks to hide them behind corporatized farming that is funded by the federal government.
Sources:
http://capreform.eu/family-farming-and-the-role-of-policy-in-the-eu/
http://epthinktank.eu/2014/02/15/future-of-small-farms/
http://ecdpm.org/great-insights/family-farming-and-food-security/promoting-family-farming-european-union/
http://capreform.eu/family-farming-and-the-role-of-policy-in-the-eu/
http://epthinktank.eu/2014/02/15/future-of-small-farms/
http://ecdpm.org/great-insights/family-farming-and-food-security/promoting-family-farming-european-union/
