The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced that she will withdraw the proposal a new law on the sustainable use of pesticideswhose processing in its current form in Parliament and the Council has failed, and that is what it promised will involve the agricultural sector more when writing the next draft.
The law, which sets binding targets at national and EU levels to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% and the use of the most dangerous pesticides by 2030, faced resistance from the European agri-food industry lobby group out of fear Impact on food security.
“The Commission has proposed legislation on the sustainable use of pesticides with the important aim of reducing the risks of chemicals to protect crops. But The proposal has become a symbol of polarization. It was rejected by Parliament and there is no more progress in the Council either. Therefore, I will propose to withdraw the proposal,” said von der Leyen.
Addressing the European Parliament, where she was present last week to report on the recent summit of heads of state and government, Von der Leyen assured this the problem “is still on the table” even without this proposal and opted for “more dialogue and a different approach” to move forward.
Include farmers in a new proposal
“On this basis, the Commission, with the involvement of the interested parties, could present a new, much more sophisticated proposal,” said the president of the municipal administration, who called for avoiding the “game of accusations” and working together.
“Our farmers will only invest in the future if they can make a living from their land. And only if we achieve our climate and environmental goals together can they continue to live off their land,” warned von der Leyen.
Brussels wants to use the framework of the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture in the EU, which began on January 25, to hear all interested parties before putting forward a new proposal and is therefore unlikely to present the renewed draft any time soon . Expression. The current legislative period ends with the European Parliament elections from June 6th to 9th.
Agriculture needs a “more sustainable production model”.
Addressing the European Parliament, the German stressed that “our farmers deserve to be heard” but also that agriculture needs a “more sustainable production model” to remain profitable, a transition in which the sector “takes the lead” must. .
“We have to analyze the situation together, exchange ideas and develop future scenarios. We need to overcome polarized debates and build trust,” said von der Leyen, who proposed “generous incentives” for farmers to strengthen protection of the natural environment. in the form of public subsidies or “premium” labeling.
European Council President Charles Michel also considered that it was the duty of the European institutions to “listen” to farmers who have expressed “anger, fear and concern” to see what will be done can to respond to their demands.
“Farmers make an important contribution to our food security and also to climate change. They deserve respect for the enormous work they do on our behalf and it is important that justice prevails, bureaucracy is reduced and the same standards apply across the sector,” asked Michel.
