In the plenary session today in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted by a large majority (447 votes to 142 and 31 abstentions) the report presented by Marlene Mortler (EPP, DE) on “Food security and the long-term resilience of European agriculture”. This comprehensive text sets out the Parliament’s doctrine on agricultural issues, based on lessons learnt from recent crises. Copa and Cogeca fully support this report, which sets out a clear, pragmatic, and innovative vision within which the farming community can work. We now call on the European Parliament to be consistent considering the forthcoming votes on issues related to agriculture!
Over the last few days in Brussels, all the political and media attention has been focused on discussions on the restoration of nature, yet the European Parliament has today taken a clear vote on its agricultural policy, taking into account the lessons learnt from the health, geopolitical and environmental crises of recent years. It is therefore a crucial resolution that was voted on. Copa and Cogeca fully support the proposal carried by MEP Marlene Mortler.
This text tackles all the essential problems faced by the farming community, whilst presenting ambitious and positive political initiatives that are not included in the European Commission’s strategies, such as the Farm to Fork strategy. We welcome the emphasis placed on generational renewal, the principles of a European strategy on the subject and the focus on innovation. The same applies to the issues of the new cultivation techniques, fertilisers and irrigation strategy, the protein plan, and the role of livestock farming.
Mortler’s report further addresses fundamental issues. Firstly, the need to ensure a resilient, transparent, and fairer food chain for farmers, secondly the question of coherence concerning Europe’s ambitions in terms of the agricultural transition, given the lack of funding for the agricultural Green Deal within the current budgetary framework. Thirdly, the consistency of the agricultural Green Deal initiatives with the European Union’s trade policy.
For Copa and Cogeca, Mortler’s report completes the shortcomings and blind spots of the Green Deal for agriculture, proposing a more coherent and sustainable framework for the European agricultural sector focusing also on solutions for farmers to enable the transition.
The question now arises as to the consistency of the European Parliament’s position at a time when the European Commission is trying to force through proposals that could have a decisive impact on the future of agriculture in Europe, whether it be its proposals on nature restoration (NRL), the use of plant protection products (SUR), or the industrial emissions directive (IED).
Artigo publicado originalmente em Copa Cogeca.
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