Impact of ACP-EU Economic Partnership Accords on agriculture examined

Experts in Economic cooperation between the European Union and the African Union, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) in general and the Economic Partnership Accords in particular, have simplified the terms of the accords for the understanding of regional representatives of farmer groups and civil society organizations involved in the agricultural sector in Cameroon.

The explanations were made during a two-day seminar in Yaounde to evaluate the impact, opportunities and challenges of the accords on the productivity of peasant farmers.

The “Forum les Jeudi de Cotonou”, a forum of non-state actors on the Cotonou Accord and the strategies for cooperation and partnership invited experts who indicated that the accords offers lots of opportunities to farmers as its gives them a wider market to sell their produce at competitive prices in European markets.

They however pointed out some challenges which if not well understood may negatively impact the local producers. “The Economic Partnership accords was signed by the Cameroon government without consulting local producers that is why we have come to have an understanding of its content in order to sensitize civil society associations in the agricultural sector” Rene Nsuh Mbuh, a participant at the seminar said.

The ACP – EU accords which has already been sign by Cameroon exempts custom duties on imports from Europe countries thereby placing local producers at the level of competition with foreign farmers who are better equipped and receive subvention.

In the face of these challenges, the representatives of farmer groups at the seminar are seeking to reach a consensus to elaborate a common declaration to government as well as financial and financial partners.

The meeting was also to cushion the impact and influence the strategy of assistance to small scale producers during the implementation of the accord.