News Green Deal
Agriculture must participate in climate neutral Europe
The agricultural sector can count on more environmentally friendly measures in the reform of the common agricultural policy. This is apparent from the Green Deal that the European Commission is launching on Wednesday 11 December.
The 'European Green Deal' presented by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, together with her right-hand man Frans Timmermans, has major consequences for the transport sector, industry and agriculture, among others. The agreement contains a package of measures that should make Europe the first climate neutral continent in the world by 2050.
An important part for agriculture is the 'Farm to Fork' strategy. This strategy will be presented in the spring of 2020. The European Commission has in mind a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system. At the end of next year, a series of initiatives will be rolled out that will contribute to this.
Chemical use must be reduced
One of the formulated objectives is a drastic reduction in the use of chemicals. The amount of pesticides used in Europe should be halved by 2030. A strong ambition is also expected for the reduction of fertilizers, while the use of organic material must be considerably increased. More organic farming and the development of a toolbox with alternatives to chemical agents will be pursued.
Stimulating innovations is also a spearhead in the agriculture chapter of the Green Deal. This concerns, among other things, the development of gentechnology with which sustainable crops can be developed that are more resistant to climate change. Finally, we can count on tightening the rules regarding food information for consumers and on actions to combat food waste.
Opponents
€100 billion from a transition fund to be set up will be used to achieve the goals in the Green Deal. European heads of government will discuss the proposals during the summit in Brussels in the coming days. Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic are not yet in favor of the agreement, because they fear it will harm their economies.
The new European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski has expressed its support for a higher agricultural budget. With the current European budget, which will be discussed this week, the agricultural budget would be 5% lower. Wojciechowski believes that agriculture should contribute to the Green Deal, but according to him this also includes financial support.
Jeanette Pennings
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