However varied Mediterranean agricultural systems may be, in principle they are characterized not only by strong geographic and climatic similarities, but above all, by a common historical and cultural heritage. All these common points have given rise to a reinforced Mediterranean identity. Therefore, the emergence of a sense of belonging to the same regional aggregate transcends the few differences that make up the specificity and strength of each of the nations forming this aggregate. It is through the strengthening of sustainable agricultural systems that economic, environmental and social development will occur in the Mediterranean region. Farmers from the North as well as from the Southern shores are key players for this endeavour.

Farmers in both the north and the south of the Mediterranean Basin have accordingly decided to group together within IFAP to develop the benefits of their products. Based on the observation that there is a lack of consideration for the needs of the Mediterranean region in international development policies, farm leaders from both sides of the Basin, have pleaded the urgency of creating a Mediterranean structure within IFAP. Created in 1990, the Committee advocates peace and stability in the region and the strengthening of regional integration between the countries of Southern Europe, North Africa and Middle East. The Committee particularly supports an integrated approach to Mediterranean agriculture aimed at sustainable development and the establishment of a coherent policy.

Long-term Aims

One of the objectives of IFAP's Mediterranean Committee is to enable farmers around the Mediterranean basin to develop a common identity for their products, in recognition of the specific nature and origin of their produce as part of the rural agricultural development of the basin.

IFAP's Mediterranean Committee also aims to give Mediterranean agriculture the attention it deserves in Euro-Mediterranean partnership agreements with a view to establishing a Free Trade Zone by 2010.

Immediate Aims

The IFAP Mediterranean Committee bases its work on a number of established facts:

• The lack of consideration and knowledge shown in international development policies as regards the needs of the Mediterranean region as a whole and even the specific needs of each of the constituent countries.

• Disputes and conflicts of interest exist between the various countries in the Mediterranean basin, often due to disparities in economic development levels, various environmental factors and conflicting demands on water resources.

As a result, the objective of the Mediterranean Committee is to work on the agricultural development of the region in order to reduce the disparities, particularly between the north and south of the basin, by focusing attention on the complementary nature of its agricultures. In order to do so, the Committee urgently needs to resolve three closely interlinked priority problems:

Diversification of production

The Mediterranean basin currently produces the same products: vegetables, fruit, oil, wine, durum wheat, sheep, etc. These products all reach maturity at approximately the same times and are all intended for almost the same markets. Competition therefore becomes keen since production costs vary considerably from one country to another, depending on level of social and economic development.

Improving quality

Quality is characterised by different factors, the most important of which being health and regional typicality. Typicality is essential since a product made in a particular region may have different characteristics from those of the same product produced in another region (specific weather conditions and production processes).

Availability of water

The two above aspects cannot be met without ensuring that farmers have access to water in sufficient quantity and quality and at the periods scheduled for their various production activities. Access to water and management of this precious resource must therefore be considered as the principal problem to be solved in order to promote the diversification of production and the improvement of the quality and typicality of Mediterranean produce.

Concerted action by farmers on both shores of the Mediterranean, participative policy, raising the awareness of European and international bodies regarding the issues of Mediterranean agriculture, cooperation between farmers and researchers… these are the avenues to be pursued to ensure that Mediterranean farmers are able to have a decent living from their produce in the future wider regional area.

Functions

IFAP's Mediterranean Committee has three missions:

• Political work to lobby EU bodies such as the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee.

• Platform for the exchange of ideas and experience between farmers of the region on issues affecting them directly and on topical issues of interest.

• Stimulating technical cooperation between member farmers’ organisations but also with IFAP partners such as international organisations, research institutions and agricultural cooperation and development agencies.

Press Release from meetings in Catania, Sicily from September 22-26 , ''Successful Meetings in Sicily on Women in Agriculture, Development Cooperation and the Mediterranean''