The European approach to agricultural regulation is often seen as a model of success, notes Bill Wirtz, senior policy analyst for the Consumer Choice Center based in Washington, D.C. 

“But I’m here to tell you—it’s not the case.” 

Wirtz, who hails from Luxembourg, opened today’s CropConnect conference in Winnipeg, Man., and doesn’t mince words when it comes to the European Union’s agricultural policies. He believes they’re not only problematic for Europe but could pose a threat to Canada in terms of trade, perception, and policy influence.

“There’s this idea that Europe has things figured out, and if only you replicated their model, you’d achieve greatness,” he says. “That’s simply not true.”

Understanding the EU: A Labyrinth of Complexity

“Who here thinks they understand how the European Union works?” Wirtz asks, smirking. “Nobody does—not even the people who work in it.”

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