Minutes of the Board Meeting of the 1st of December 2007

The minutes of the Board Meeting of the 16th of June were approved unanimously, without comment.

2 - Activity report since June 2007

2.1 - Activities of the CEDIA since June - S.Gaule

2.1-1 Sean Gaule organised through the Louvain Irish Institute for Europe the meeting, which took, place the 30th of November.

Three speakers presented topics of great importance for the Agronomist wanting to have a better understanding of the changes in Europe.

Catriona Ward gave a very comprehensive introduction to the programs of research sponsored by the Commission and more precisely the 7th Framework Programme covering the period from 2007 to 2013. The details of this presentation are available on the new Website of the CEDIA.

Professor Roland Verhé from Gent University presented in detail the Implementations of the Bologna Process in Europe, with special regard to the higher education in Agriculture. This presentation is also available in its totality on the new Website.

Michael Tracey, lobbyist for the Irish Farmers organisation gave a very lively presentation of the relations between the Commission and the professional organisations and how these organisations can influence decisions and policies of the Commission. A summary of this discussion shall be prepared by (Sean Gaule) and introduced on the Website.

It was the second meeting of this type organised by the LIIE and though the number of speakers was smaller than in 2006, the value of the information was high in itself and even higher with respect to the work and processes of the Commission. It also provided ideas for possible CEDIA actions, e.g. providing an input into the “Health Check” of the CAP.

2.1-2 L.Tirelli has participated in the preparation of the 2008 Conference of UNIAGRO, the French Association of Agronomist. This Conference shall exceptionally take place in Brussels and cover subjects of general interest concerning the CAP and its application. The theme of the meeting is:

For a sustainable agriculture:
The tool: the CAP,
The actors: the Engineers in Life Science

The speakers shall be of very high level and the discussions are planned to involve personalities from different countries and horizons. The participation of the CEDIA has been requested in order to broaden the audience and the communication. The CEDIA shall actively participate and shall obtain a greater visibility through the event.

The Conference is planned to take place the 10th and 11th of October 2008 in Brussels.
UNIAGRO has applied for funding by the Commission. L.Tirelli has participated in the preparation of the application for EC funding which gives him some experience in the procedures.

Communications on the progress of the organization of the Conference shall be given regularly.

2.2 - Financial situation and fees - L.Tirelli

The bank accounts are showing a positive balance of € 20 000 before the call for the payment of the 2007 fees (and a payment 1000 Euros overdue from Italy).

The last General Assembly having decided for a call of the totality of the fees for 2007, the treasurer asks for a confirmation of this decision that shall bring the total balance in bank to 35 000 Euros. The balance at the end of the year should be respectively of about €17 000 and € 33 000 after the payment of the last expenses.

When looking at the Profit and Loss Account for 2007, it is appearing that only two third of the forecast expenses shall be realised (€12 000 out of a budgeted €18 000). It reflects the relatively low number of meetings held by CEDIA in 2007. However activity was largely maintained by way of modern communication methods.

After discussion the Board decided to confirm the call for the totality of the fee for 2007, considering that having an amount in cash of about 33 000 Euros shall give a credible basis for the implementation of projects like:

• the CPD program (see below),
• the study in specific seminars of important issues like:
  • the scientific basis of the impact of the GMOs on environment and consumers,
  • the “Health Check” of the CAP and the constraints of the EU Policies on the European farmers versus outsiders competition etc.
  • the education and qualification in Agriculture,
  • employment services (see the progress program on employment services: (http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/progress/faq_en.htm)

These issues deserve a study and a presentation of our conclusions to high ranking officers from the Commission, members of the Commission and Parliament etc, in order to have our views taken into account in the policies developed.

Some possible actions that would incur expense are outlined below

• Application for funding from the EC for projects like the CPD (proper funds from the requesting organisation are requested).
• Establishment of contact with the permanent agronomists of various nationalities present in the Commission, and among the various associations (Association des Agronomes Français de Belgique for instance).
• Establishment of relations with similar associations elsewhere e.g. (OSCAR: Association of Agronomists – representatives to FAO).
• The continuation and further development of contacts with organisations such as ICA
• The maintenance of membership of existing partners and the search for new ones. (see paragraph 5)
• The evaluation of the possibility of creating a training position in order to help the Associations develop their role and their relations with the European Institutions. EU funding to be sought.

n.b. L.Tirelli shall provide a detailed budget for 2008 covering the various activities.

3 - Presidency situation and future

In the absence of A. Krohn, the acting President, a limited discussion took place. A.Krohn expressed his intention to resign for personal reasons. The decision to accept his resignation was postponed until the next General Assembly which shall take place in Lisbon in early June. Nevertheless, subject to the proposal of other candidates and the necessary approvals, Sean Gaule would be ready to become President, provided a suitable program for action is approved, the availability of an appropriate budget and the commitment and support of the Board and member organisations. The Board considered this as reassuring, bringing continuity to the ongoing development of CEDIA policy and operations.

4 - Progress of the program of activities

4.1- News Letter: future of the News Letter - All

No News Letter has been issued in 2007. Sean Gaule plans to write a “Catch up” news letter, associated with the launch of the new Web site.
L.Tirelli shall supply summaries of the minutes of the previous meetings.

4.2- Web site: - All
Take over by ASA: Comments on the proposal. S.Gaule

The new Web site is now almost ready and Liam Morrow, the Web master is just awaiting approval from the Board to launch it in replacement of the previous Web site hosted by EMMA.
After a last check of the proposed site, the Board gave its approval and decided that:

• The new Web site shall be launched immediately.
• The new address shall be a .eu address instead of a .be address.
• A deal shall be made with EMMA so that during a period of 6 months the previous address shall give access to the new site as well.
• The financial situation with EMMA shall be settled for the end of the year.
• The problem raised by the absence of filter on the E mail addresses appearing on the site shall solved (spam generation). Do we really need a link for the Administrators addresses that may not be necessary for everybody (a link exist with the Associations sites)?
• The addresses on the site shall be up dated (L.Tirelli to communicate).
• The mailing list existing on the present site shall be transferred to the new site and updated.
• The PACE program is already introduced on the site. It is a part of the CPD program (Continuous Permanent Development) developed by Agrilink. PACE allows for a personal evaluation of training requirements. It is available free for a trial period, depending on interest, specific needs and support requirements a contract would be entered into with the hosting company. It is very much suggested to Association Members to propose this opportunity to their members. The extension of the totality of the CPD program, presented several times to the Board Members, shall be dependent on the interest generated by the trial use of the PACE program. The Members are requested to test it (see front page of the new site) and send their comments.
  Please note that some adjustments are going to be made shortly to make it fully interactive.

Please note that the new website is still accessible via http://d148818.436.hosting.digiwebsite.ie before being fully operational with its new address.

4.3 - Review of the activity program - All

In the absence of a number of Administrators, this subject has been limited to general trends for the future.

• The CEDIA shall be active at the European/Commission level, and organise meetings
  on important issues, leading to a constructive common position and a presentation of
  this position to the EC at a high level in order to have an impact on decisions (we are
  representing more than 60 000 professionals with a high level of responsibility).
• The CEDIA has to bring benefits to its members. A good example is the PACE project
  introduced on the Web site that allows anyone to make a personal evaluation of
  his/her training requirements and to record training as it is taken.
• The CEDIA has to establish a relation with the agronomists of various nationalities
  present in the Commission.

4.4 - UNIAGRO Seminar 2008 - L.Tirelli

The project of UNIAGRO to have its annual Seminar in Brussels has already been mentioned. It is a typical case of the use that CEDIA shall make of the activity of one of its members. As the CEDIA does not have a working force of its own, a contribution to the activity of its members may bring a substantial bonus to both parties. In this case, the CEDIA brings an International/European opening to the meeting. It is an occasion to invite its member Associations and non-members with a view to incite them to become members. I t also provides a networking occasion and an opportunity to invite members from associated Associations for a follow up meeting restricted to pure CEDIA activities.

In that precise case, the BOARD has decided to participate actively in the UNIAGRO meeting of the Friday and hold a meeting on the Saturday where member associations could exchange views.

4.5 - Progress program/employment services S.Gaule

The PACE and CPD program have been mentioned above. Members are suggested to test the PACE program on the site and the CPD version available at the following address http://d148818.436.hosting.digiweb.ie

5 - Relations with the ICA, IAAS, etc. - A.Krohn

• The relations with ICA that have been interrupted shall be resumed by Sean Gaule who has a personal relation with the new President.
• The contact with IAAS has always been loose due to the IAAS organisation. It is nevertheless necessary to keep a contact and invite them to some of our meetings (UNIAGRO Conference, L.Tirelli ?)
• The relation with OSCAR to be established by Sean Gaule on the occasion of a meeting with the FAO.
• The contacts with VDL (Germany) and SVIAL (Switzerland) that have been recently re established by L.Tirelli shall be tightened as these historical members of the CEDIA are of utmost importance to us.
• The contacts recently established by L.Tirelli with Gembloux have to be tightened.
• The contact established with Prof. R.Verlé from the Gent University have to be further tightened (S.Gaule, L.Tirelli)
• The contact established by A.Krohn with the Spanish Association has to be re activated (S.Gaule, L.Tirelli)
• The contacts established by L.Tirelli/UNIAGRO with the AAFB have to be confirmed and expanded with the help of AAFB to other similar associations in Belgium.
• Through the agronomists of the Commission, establish a contact with the national representations of the New Members and find out about their Associations of Agronomists (L.Tirelli )

6 - Miscellaneous

6.1 - Next meetings

• Board Meeting and General Assembly

The next Board Meeting shall take place in Paris at the occasion of the “Salon de l’Agriculture”. The last time the Board visited the Salon was during the Week End and it was over crowded. It has been decided to make the visit the Friday 29th of February to avoid partially the affluence (UNIAGRO organisation). The Board Meeting shall take place on the Saturday in the UNIAGRO office with their participation.

The General Assembly shall take place in Lisbon at the end of the first week of June.
The President and the Vice Presidents shall meet the President of the Portuguese Association and discuss their expectancies from the activities of the CEDIA.
The Spanish Association shall be invited.

6.2 - Others

Sean Gaule presented the preliminary results of the survey on the activities and proposed strategies of the CEDIA.

Answers have been received from Denmark, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Ireland. France is due soon.

A first impression from S. Gaule is that there is a lack of communication between the representatives in the CEDIA and the Board of their national Associations.
He also pointed an interesting suggestion from Denmark, proposing that the Board of the CEDIA should act more as a coordinator of actions that shall be undertaken by the national Associations.

The Chairman closed the Board Meeting at 13h00