Early this morning, the trilogue negotiators reached a compromise on the Commission’s proposal for a revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). Far from bringing relief, today’s compromise brings a feeling of incomprehension and concern among many livestock farmers.
Negotiators, notably from the European Parliament, made energetic attempts to change a Commission proposal which was out of touch with on the ground realities. MEPs managed to successfully exclude cattle from the scope of the directive (at least for the moment). Yet, the co-legislators dismissed the consequences that this will bring to poultry and pig farms, including mixed farms, which have now made it to the scope of the Directive.
The aggregation rules would be left to Member States to decide, potentially leading to further fractioning in the EU. This rule should have been removed from the text, especially considering the challenges associated with its implementation (particularly relevant for agri-cooperatives).
Considerations of reciprocity clauses did not make it to shore, leaving it for a potential revision in 2028. Who will be able to explain to European farming families that we are going to import, through the current European trade agenda, meat and eggs from foreign companies that will not respect any of the IED standards?
In case of non-compliance, the text clarifies that the suspension of activities does not mean affecting the welfare of animals. Yet it is unacceptable to think that activities could be suspended as it would be detrimental to the continuity of breeding operations. In the same manner, it is hard to understand that breeders in breach could receive fines equaling 3% of their annual turnover! This will be extremely taxing for small and medium size farmers!
Many technical details still need to be analyzed at this stage, and the next few weeks will be particularly important before the text is returned to the Council and the European Parliament. We will remain vigilant.
Fonte: Copa Cogeca
