30th Congress – Mayen 2006 THE EUROPEAN CHARTER FOR TOBACCO GROWING paving the way for the future - a discussion tool Gaëtan de Royer

The political context ① The reform of the CAP: a major turning point progressive withdrawal by the European Union re-nationalisation of a part of aid the growing importance of the concept of rural development (the 2nd pillar) ② Tobacco CMO: an uncertain future the expiry of the CMO reform in 2010 as from 2013, no longer any specific system in place a lack of clarity concerning the way in which Poland, Hungary and Slovakia will be integrated in 2008 into the CAP regime in general, and the tobacco CMO in particular a similar lack of clarity as regards the entry of Rumania and Bulgaria into the European Union - on their own they represent 25% of current tobacco production

The political context ③ Legal and technical unknown quantities the recent invalidation by the European Community Court of Justice of the new cotton CMO the implementation methods of the reform from 2010 onwards are still vague, especially when it comes to the management of aid within the context of the 2nd pillar

The economic context ① Strong pressure from the competition European growers are lightweights within the world market business is booming for the Brazilians and the Chinese tobacco growing in Europe will never be able to compete with developing countries ② How to better adapt to the market by refocusing on varieties of tobacco that are best suited to the European market quality: the only comparable long-term advantage for Europe

Context Within the general context the profession must: continue to dialogue with national and European public authorities be continually on the look-out for new opportunities continue its contribution to the thought process focus on quality

The aims of the initiative ① To clarify the specific characteristics of European tobacco ② To unite the profession in order to face future challenges/ to focalise the profession around common strategic objectives ③ To create a basis for discussion amongst all those concerned (elected representatives, administrative bodies, industrialists, the media, consumers, and NGOs etc) ④ To form networks and find allies

Methods ① The Charter a document that outlines the commitments of all tobacco growers, regardless of different systems of national aid the presentation of clear and flexible commitments ② The quest for political support from the regional executives of each of the producing countries - they will play a key role in the management of 2nd pillar funds by ensuring that they understand the importance of the initiative, by supporting and encouraging the spirit of the Charter by signing the draft agreement ③ The commitment to dialogue within the context of the expiry date of the CMO reforms on three levels : regional, national, European based on the commitments of the Charter

The Charter - contents Introduction the social-economic importance of the sector the will to listen to the needs of customers, consumers, society and national and European authorities Five commitments the economic factor: to farm in economically balanced conditions the social factor : to ensure that working conditions, particularly of seasonal workers are acceptable the environmental factor: to grow tobacco whilst respecting the environment the commercial factor: to produce tobacco of a quality that meets customers’ needs social/health factors : to take into account health considerations that are linked to the consumption of the finished product from the initial planting stage. Signatories national organisations / UNITAB / and more…

The way forward Validation and adoption of the Charter the UNITAB executive committee has already validated the text formal adoption during the current Congress Bringing the regions on board launch of awareness campaigns directed at executives of producing regions at a national level, and via the representatives office in Brussels the validation of the partnership through the signing of a draft agreement at the end of 2006

30th Congress – Mayen 2006 THE EUROPEAN CHARTER FOR TOBACCO GROWING paving the way for the future - a discussion tool Gaëtan de Royer