News food security
Brussels does not want to tinker with Farm-to-Fork
European Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski left nothing to be desired in Brussels on Thursday 17 March: the European Commission will certainly not abandon the Green Deal and Farm-to-Fork strategy in the context of food security.
Although a final version of a statement that the Commission will issue on food security next week is still being worked on, according to Wojciechowski, it is almost ready. However, he promised to take the input of the MPs into account.
During the meeting, a number of MEPs, including Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP), expressed concerns that food security would be jeopardized by the Farm-to-Fork strategy. This in view of the war in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia. Ruissen, together with fellow party member and Member of Parliament Roelof Bisschop, also came up with a last week ten point plan for enough food. Ruissen also suggested replacing more fertilizer with animal manure, now that there is an acute shortage of fertilizer. Annie Schreijer-Pierik (CDA) also asked this in her contribution.
Food security at number 1 European agenda
Other members of parliament urged the Commissioner to continue making agriculture more sustainable. Wojciechowski indicated that Russia wants to cause hunger and that food security must therefore be placed at the top of the European agenda and dependence on imports must be reduced. According to him, that is also part of Farm-to-Fork. "The Green Deal and in particular the Farm-to-Fork strategy will promote food security. We will also reward farmers for lower CO2 emissions, less crop protection, more animal welfare. We will not abandon that."
Linda van Eekeres
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