On 21 December 1968, the European Commission submits to the Council a memorandum on agricultural reform. This is the Agriculture 1980 plan, also known as the Mansholt Plan, named after the European Commissioner with special responsibility for agriculture.

Sicco Mansholt, für Landwirtschaft zuständiges Mitglied der Europäischen Kommission, gibt im Jahr 1968 eine Pressekonferenz, auf der er die Vorschläge der Kommission zur Reform der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik (GAP) und zur Festsetzung der Agrarpreise vorstellt.

In diesem Interview spricht Hans-August Lücker, ehemaliger Generalberichterstatter für die Agrarpolitik im Europäischen Parlament, über die Bedeutung des Plans zur Modernisierung der europäischen Landwirtschaft und erklärt den Mechanismus zur Festsetzung der Agrarpreise in der Europäischen Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft (EWG).

On 20 February 1969, Sicco Mansholt, European Commissioner with special responsibility for agriculture, gives an interview to the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, on his plan to reform the common agricultural policy (CAP)

On 29 April 1970, Sicco Mansholt, European Commissioner with special responsibility for agriculture, publishes his plans for agricultural reform.

On 15 February 1971, Sicco Mansholt (left), Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Agriculture, Michel Cointat (centre), French Agriculture Minister, and Franco Maria Malfatti (right), President of the European Commission, talk in the margins of the Council of Agriculture Ministers of the Six in Brussels.

On 29 April 1971, Sicco Mansholt, European Agriculture Commissioner, denounces the attitude of the officers of the European Confederation of Agriculture (ECA) as the crisis involving European farmers unfolds.

On 31 March 1971, following the demonstrations by European farmers in Brussels, Sicco Mansholt, European Agriculture Commissioner, writes to the President of the Belgian Farmers’ Union and invites him to speak in a public debate about the implications of a reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

In February 1972, Sicco Mansholt, European Commissioner with special responsibility for agriculture, writes to Franco Maria Malfatti, President of the Commission, and to the other Members of the Commission encouraging them to address in a ‘testament' the most serious current problems.

Am 6. März 1972 steht Alfredo Diana, Präsident des allgemeinen italienischen Landwirtschaftsverbands (Confagricoltura), der italienischen Tageszeitung Corriere della sera zur Reform der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik (GAP) Rede und Antwort.

Despite the unpopularity of some measures included in the Mansholt Plan, the Council of Ministers rally, and on 17 April 1972, adopt a directive on farm modernisation.

Despite the unpopularity of certain measures in the Mansholt Plan, the Council of Ministers actively supports and then adopts, on 17 April 1972, a directive concerning measures to encourage the cessation of farming and the re-allocation of agricultural land for structural improvement.

Despite the unpopularity of certain measures in the Mansholt Plan, the Council of Ministers actively supports and then adopts, on 17 April 1972, a directive concerning the acquisition of occupational skills by persons engaged in agriculture.

On 17 April 1972, Sicco Mansholt, appointed President of the European Commission one month earlier, defends, before the Council, three socio-structural Directives designed to achieve the modernisation of European farms.

In 1974, in a published collection of interviews, Sicco Mansholt, former European Commissioner with special responsibility for agriculture, describes the issues and the difficulties associated with his plan for a reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

‘Working at full stretch. And now, once again, it’s our French colleague’s turn to play us his record.’ On 4 October 1975, the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung deplores the attitude of the European Agriculture Ministers, who, despite their declarations of intent, are dragging their feet when it comes to implementing a reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

Am 8. April 1972 kommentiert die Pariser RTL-Redaktion das Referendum, in dem die Franzosen am 23. April über die Ratifizierung des Beitrittsvertrages des Vereinigten Königreichs, Irlands, Dänemarks und Norwegens zu den Europäischen Gemeinschaften abstimmen sollen, und fragt nach den Hintergründen der Pläne Sicco Mansholts, Präsident der Europäischen Kommission, die Gemeinsame Agrarpolitik (GAP) umfassend zu reformieren.

In diesem Interview spricht Hans-August Lücker, ehemaliger Generalberichterstatter für die Agrarpolitik im Europäischen Parlament, über die Persönlichkeit und die Arbeitsweise des Europäischen Landwirtschaftskommissars Sicco Mansholt, der im Jahre 1970 einen ehrgeizigen Plan zur Reform der gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik (GAP) verfasst hatte.

In diesem Interview schildert der ehemalige Vize-Sprecher der Europäischen Kommission Paul Collowald die Arbeit Sicco Mansholts, des ehemaligen Vizepräsidenten der Kommission, verantwortlich für Landwirtschaft, und späteren Kommissionspräsidenten, in der Europäischen Kommission.

In this interview, Georges Rencki, Head of Division responsible for the policy to modernise agricultural structures in the Directorate-General for Agriculture (1968–1977), outlines the measures proposed in the Mansholt Plan for the modernisation of agricultural holdings. He explains the consequences of the adoption of the Plan by the Council and emphasises Mansholt’s efforts to inform those working in the agricultural industry.

In diesem Interview erinnert sich Helmut von Verschuer, ehemaliges Kabinettsmitglied und enger Mitarbeiter Mansholts, an die Persönlichkeit und die Arbeitsmethoden von Sicco Mansholt.

In February 1969, the monthly publication Communauté européenne reviews criticism by the agricultural sector of the Mansholt Plan for reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

On 22 December 1969, during a meeting between the Foreign, Finance and Agriculture Ministers of the Six in Brussels, the French daily newspaper Le Monde leads with the difficult debates on the establishment of a financing system for the Community budget and calls for a system of own resources.

Am 15. Februar 1971 verschaffen sich unzufriedene Landwirte Zutritt zum Sitzungssaal des Rates der Landwirtschaftsminister, um ihren Widerstand gegen die Pläne zur Reform der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik (GAP) zu bekunden.

On 15 February 1971, a number of European farmers opposed to the Mansholt Plan, accompanied by a few cows, interrupt a meeting of the 'Agricultural Affairs' Council being held in Brussels.

In February 1971, the monthly publication 30 jours d’Europe comments on a survey of French farmers’ opinions of the Mansholt Plan.

‘Dum, dum, dumped — No way through the garbage.’ In March 1971, the discontent in the European farming sector over plans to reform the common agricultural policy (CAP) proposed by Sicco Mansholt, European Commissioner with special responsibility for agriculture, comes to a head.

Am 23. März 1971 enden die Demonstrationen europäischer Landwirte in den Straßen Brüssels, mit denen sie gegen die Agrarreformen des Mansholt-Plans protestieren, mit dem Tod eines Demonstranten und mehr als einhundert Verletzten.

Im Rahmen eines Kolloquiums in Österreich im Jahre 1974 zur wirtschaftlichen und politischen Lage in Europa äußert der Vorsitzende der internationalen Paneuropa-Union Otto von Habsburg-Lothringen scharfe Kritik am Mansholt-Plan und an dessen für die europäische Landwirtschaft fatalen Folgen.

On 13 December 1968, the French daily newspaper Le Monde describes the angry protests provoked by the Mansholt Plan which advocates a root-and-branch reform of agriculture within the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 26 November 1969, commenting on the demonstrations by angry French farmers, the British daily newspaper The Guardian outlines the problems facing the French agricultural industry and which explain the intransigence that the French President, Georges Pompidou, will have to show in connection with the financing of the common agricultural policy (CAP) during the Hague summit on 1 and 2 December.

Two days after the violent demonstration by European farmers on the streets of Brussels, the French daily newspaper Le Monde criticises the philosophy of the Mansholt Plan and considers the way in which the Six manage the agricultural question.

Im Februar 1969 nimmt der Deutsche Bauernverband Stellung zum Memorandum der EG-Kommission zur Reform der Landwirtschaft in der europäischen Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft.

In 1969, the German Ministry for Agriculture analyses the implications of the Mansholt Plan and sets out its ideas regarding the establishment of a future common agricultural policy.

On 15 February 1969, the Italian daily newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore comments on the impact on agricultural prices of the proposed reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

Im Mai 1969 kommentiert die italienische Sektion des Rates der Gemeinden Europas das Memorandum zur Reform der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik, das von Sicco Mansholt, dem Europäischen Kommissar für Landwirtschaft, vorgestellt worden war.

The day after the violent farmers' demonstration in Brussels, the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera describes the causes of the European rural sector's anger at the Mansholt Plan for Community agricultural reform.

In 1969, the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture drafts a note which analyses in detail all the provisions included in the Mansholt Plan for the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

In November 1969, the Dutch European Movement’s monthly publication Nieuw Europa comments on the position taken by the Netherlands Minister for Agriculture, Petrus Josephus Lardinois, on the subject of the Mansholt Plan.

On 27 November 1969, the Dutch daily newspaper Nieuwe Rotterdamse Courant analyses the differences between the 1970 plan for reforming the common agricultural policy (CAP) and the 1958 plan, both devised by Sicco Mansholt.

Am 19. Februar 1971 zeigt sich die Zeitschrift der luxemburgischen Bauernzentrale De Lëtzeburger Bauer beunruhigt über die Verschlechterung der Lage des europäischen Agrarsektors und wird zum Sprachrohr der Bauern.

Am 23. März 1971 bringt die Nachrichtensendung von Radio RTL einen Bericht über die gewalttätigen Demonstrationen europäischer Landwirte in den Straßen Brüssels, mit denen sie gegen den Mansholt-Plan zur Reform der gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik (GAP) protestieren.

On 23 March 1971, European farmers take to the streets in Brussels and demonstrate violently against the Mansholt Plan to reform the common agricultural policy (CAP).

In its coverage of the farmers' demonstration, held in Brussels on 23 March 1971, the Belgian farming weekly Le Sillon belge describes the confusion of European farmers over planned reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

On 29 March 1971, Rinse Zijlstra, Chairman of the Dutch Union of Protestant Agricultural Workers and Market Gardeners, expresses concern at the outbreaks of violence that occurred during the agricultural demonstration in Brussels and highlights the efforts made by the European authorities to establish a common agricultural policy.

On 7 April 1971, the Chairman of the Netherlands Agricultural Board, C.S. Knottnerus, gives his point of view on the need for a reform of the common agricultural policy

Map showing the location in Benelux of all projects which received financial aid from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (Guidance Section) in 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Map showing the location in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) of all projects which received financial aid from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (Guidance Section) in 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Map showing the location in France of all projects which received financial aid from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (Guidance Section) in 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Map showing the location in northern Italy of all projects which received financial aid from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (Guidance Section) in 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Map showing the location in southern Italy of all projects which received financial aid from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (Guidance Section) in 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Table showing the amount granted by the 'Guidance' Section of the EAGGF between 1964 and 1976 and the expenditure of the 'Guarantee' Section in 1971, 1973 and 1976.

On 11 July 1973, the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera is concerned at the lack of liquidity in the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) which is designed to support agricultural markets and contribute to the development of the rural sector.

„EWG-Gipfel – „Oben vom Butterberg haben wir eine herrliche Aussicht auf den Zuckerkogel, das Getreidemassiv und ganz in weiter Ferne auf England.‘“ Am 2. Dezember 1969 illustriert der deutsche Karikaturist Hanns Erich Köhler anlässlich des europäischen Gipfeltreffens in Den Haag die zahlreichen Probleme, vor denen die Mitgliedstaaten der EWG stehen: Überproduktion im Rahmen der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik (GAP), Beitritt des Vereinigten Königreichs zur EWG. Trotz der Hindernisse auf dem Weg der Seilschaft ermutigt der französische Staatspräsident Georges Pompidou Bundeskanzler Willy Brandt, den Aufstieg fortzusetzen. Die Neubelebung des europäischen Aufbauwerks Ende 1969 erfolgt auf Initiative des französischen Staatspräsidenten Georges Pompidou, der ein Europäisches Gipfeltreffen im niederländischen Den Haag angeregt hat. Das Ereignis weckt große Hoffnungen in der Öffentlichkeit und bei Spitzenpolitikern der Gemeinschaft, da Pompidou mit dieser Initiative das Leben der Gemeinschaft von den Lähmungserscheinungen befreien möchte, die sich infolge bestimmter radikaler Positionen von General de Gaulle in einigen europäischen Angelegenheiten entwickelt haben.

In seiner Ausgabe vom 22. Juli 1974 stellt das deutsche Nachrichtenmagazin Der Spiegel die Agrarpolitik der Europäischen Gemeinschaft im Bereich der Rinderzucht in Frage.

Am 18. April 1975 spricht der Journalist Jean-Charles De Keyser in seiner täglichen Radiochronik aus Brüssel über das Problem der Überschüsse in der Landwirtschaft innerhalb der Europäischen Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft (EWG).

Obwohl die Europäische Gemeinschaft Überschußproduktionen der europäischen Bauern aufkauft, werden weiterhin große Mengen an Obst und Gemüse vernichtet. Die deutsche Wochenzeitschrift Der Spiegel berichtet.

On 29 November 1979, the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir calls on the Nine to undertake a reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) as a matter of urgency.

In January 1981, the monthly publication 30 jours d’Europe considers the policy of export subsidies for Community agricultural surpluses.

On 17 June 1983, the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir criticises the operation of the common agricultural policy (CAP) which leads, in particular, to the mass destruction of fruit and vegetable surpluses.

Am 10. Juli 1984 hält der deutsche Landwirtschaftsminister Ignaz Kiechle eine Rede über die Agrarüberschüsse in der Europäischen Gemeinschaft.

On 17 January 1985, the European Parliament adopts a resolution in which it promotes the common agricultural policy (CAP) and suggests various measures to counter the criticism levelled at the European Community regarding the destruction of fruit and vegetables.

In this interview, Georges Rencki, Head of Division responsible for the policy to modernise agricultural structures in the Directorate-General for Agriculture (1968–1977), discusses how the Council’s failure to adopt Mansholt’s proposal on reducing farming area and herd size on 24 March 1972 affected agricultural production and the public perception of the CAP.