Questionnaire on "Agriculture under the public eye: who is responsible for what?"

		I agree I disagree[1]
		1	2	3	4	5
1	As a result of the concentration process in the food chain, in most Member States retailers increasingly operate as protectors of consumers' interests.				×
2	Both private schemes and State systems have their own control systems. There may be some kind of double check resulting in unnecessary burdens that may hamper the competitiveness of the European agro-food sector.				×
3	The balance of responsibilities between market and government needs to be reviewed in order to achieve a more efficient regulatory environment.	×
4	Consideration should be given to the possibility of using private quality assurance systems as indicators that public objectives on food safety, food quality, environment and animal welfare are being safeguarded.		×
5	Acceptance of greater responsibility by the private sector for ensuring that public concerns on food safety, quality, environment and animal welfare are met, is a condition for greater use of private quality assurance systems		×
6	The role of international trade policy as it relates to agriculture is weakening. Multinationals will build their commercial relationships with suppliers or buyers that best suit their business strategy regardless of a nation's public policy.		×
7	In an enlarging European Union with a wide variety of climates and increasing cultural and regional differences, a "one size fits all" solution becomes more difficult to find.	×
8	Decisions on the implementation of decoupled income payments could be taken at a decentralised level in order to take into account the increasing differences within the EU.	×
9	A greater emphasis on using private control systems and more flexibility for the member states in implementing policies should take place within a European framework designed by the European Commission.		×
10	The European Commission should monitor Member States' compliance with this European framework when implementing European policies and using private quality assurance systems.		×

The results of this questionnaire will be used (anonymously) to structure the debate in the Informal Council.

Please return this questionnaire before August 16^th to:

Doekele Haagsma

Fax: +31703786106

Tel : +31703785225

Email: d.haagsma@minlnv.nl

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[1] Please indicate your opinion with a cross mark on a scale of 1-5. For example indicating 1 means you agree, indicating 5 means you disagree and indicating 3 means you do not have an opinion.