Strasbourg plenary session 6-9 September

The state of Europe's farmers will be in the spotlight this week when farmer turned MEP José Bové raises the issue on Monday at the European Parliament. His report investigates the falling incomes of farmers and the rising prices of goods for consumers. In particular he is concerned about the role and influence of the continent's huge supermarket chains. Mr Bové shot to fame in his native France years ago when he drove a tractor through a McDonalds in protest at globalisation. (In a vote on Tuesday MEPs backed his report with a few slight amendments).

Q. In Europe consumers are seeing rising food prices and farmers are suffering from falling incomes. Supermarkets are being accused of making excessive profits. What, in your view, is the situation?

José Bové: The situation is dramatic. When the prices of products fall, consumers do not see any difference. On the other hand, when commodity prices go up on a speculative basis, the increase is passed on to consumers.

Farmers are living more poorly on the sale of their products and the difference is held by the large food processors or by large retailers.

Q. Specifically, what does your report suggest to remedy this?

José Bové: First, we need to address speculation on commodities. The markets operate on the stock. We must get out of a policy based on "casino" commodities.

Secondly, we must look closely at production costs. We can not accept that farmers are paid below their costs of production.

Thirdly, there are strict rules against abuses of dominant positions. A lot of countries, consumer organizations and producers are demanding more transparency.

Finally, we must strengthen the power of producer associations in the negotiations between farmers, processors and distributors.

Q. Your report says that the food waste could reach 30% of food production

José Bové: Today, 30% of food is wasted. This is not acceptable because it is a very large number of people who do not eat their fill in Europe. We must shorten the circuits, promote direct sales and go to a closer proximity between producers and consumers. Finally, we must modify the rules that make you throw away products as seen in supermarkets or the agriculture industry.

Q. Are you satisfied with the contents of this report or would you want him to go a little further?

José Bové: I am very satisfied because we were able to work in the background and interview people who were able to express all viewpoints. The vote on Monday in the Parliament's Agriculture Committee went very well, with the whole Committee supporting the draft.

We now see how this will happen in the Plenary. I feel that industry and large retailers are lobbying to remove what might hinder them in the report.

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José Bové's report will be presented Monday 6 September in the European Parliament with a vote being held on 7 September.