EU Policies: Agriculture, Industry, Services & Spain
Objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
The EU’s agricultural policy aims to achieve self-sufficiency in consumption within the EU. This has resulted in large increases in crop production and livestock. However, this increased production has been so considerable that it exceeds the consumption capacity of Europeans.
To solve the problem of overproduction, the EU is proposing:
- Reducing the area devoted to crops.
- Converting cropland to forest area.
- Reducing guaranteed prices paid by the EU to farmers and ranchers.
The Fishing Industry and Community
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) of the European Union is responsible for establishing exclusive fishing zones, regulating the volume and size of catches, and negotiating agreements and treaties with states outside the EU.
The Main Industrial Areas of the EU
Industrial activity is the origin of European economic development and employs nearly 25% of the workforce in the EU.
The main industrial area of the EU is an axis that runs from the southeast of the United Kingdom to the north of Italy.
The Industrial Population
Currently in the EU, while the old industries (textiles, steel) are in recession, high-tech industries (telecommunications, electronics, etc.) are in an important stage of dynamism. However, EU industrial production faces a fundamental problem: a lack of energy resources and raw materials, which are to be imported. Also, seeking to reduce costs has provided industrial delocalization.
Towards a Service Economy
The EU countries derive most of their wealth from the service sector, which employs more than 65% of the workforce.
Trade
Trade between EU member countries and with the rest of the world represents 40% of world exports.
Transport
The EU has a strong transportation network and focuses part of its policy on improving and upgrading the network. Most transport is by road. There are also plans to improve the railway network.
Maritime transport of goods between EU countries represents 90% of trade with the rest of the world.
The air transport market is key to the unique economic and social cohesion of the EU.
Spain in Europe
In February 1979, with Spain’s democracy, negotiations for Spanish membership in the EEC opened. These negotiations lasted 7 years and were characterized by the resilience of adapting the Spanish economy to the EU economy, particularly in the fields of agriculture and fisheries.
The EEC after the Incorporation of Spain
With the entry of Spain into the EEC, the agency grew to have 329 million inhabitants. After the enlargements of 2004 and 2007, Spain has a single commissioner with 64 deputies in the European Parliament of 739 members.
Balance of Spain’s Joining the EU
The economic and social development that Spain enjoys today is due in part to the European integration process itself. 90% of the investment Spain receives from abroad comes from the EU.
The Use of European Funds
Community funds have served to fund numerous projects in Spain:
- Construction: 40% of the sections of the Spanish motorway.
- Airport expansions.
- Educational programs like Erasmus.
- European health insurance card.
- The restoration of monuments.