Background Green Deal
Farm-to-table strategy mainly on the farmer's plate
The European umbrella organization for farmers' unions and agricultural cooperatives Copa Cogeca has little faith in the elaboration of the European farm-to-fork and biodiversity strategy that was presented by the European Commission on Wednesday 23 June.
The conservation plan calls for realistic goals and long-term support, not arbitrary deadlines, according to Copa Cogeca. The plans presented for the reduction of plant protection products are an already known directive that is being transposed into legislation by the Commission. How farmers should ultimately implement this at plot level is completely ignored, according to the umbrella organisation.
It is not in dispute that the use of plant protection products is reduced where possible. Farmers are already implementing this with integrated crop protection. Due to a lack of good and reliable alternatives to chemical agents, conventional agents continue to play an important role. By pushing through the plan, the Commission risks lower European food production and a relocation of production outside the EU, according to Copa Cogeca.
The nature restoration plans that have been elaborated in legislation by the Commission require a thorough review. In the current set-up, there is a good chance that the proposed laws will continue to expand uncontrollably, losing sight of the original goal - to strengthen nature. According to Copa Cogeca, instead of imposing the goals from above, it is essential that the member states and stakeholders are given a direct role in this. Certainly if this leads to binding legislation that has a direct influence on the governments of the member states and especially on farmers, forest owners and cooperatives.
Financial support is lacking
The umbrella also points out that a large part of the plans relate to land that is in private hands. That only has a chance of success if the owner and the person who has to earn his income from that land, are behind the plans. The nature restoration measures - especially the rewetting of peatlands - should mainly be done in areas with the least economic, social and ecological impact on the owners. Certainly the economic aspect should weigh heavily in this. According to Copa Cogeca, the financial underpinning is thin. Restoring nature is expected to cost €7 billion per year. That money has to come from the EU budget, the national budgets and the private sector. Most of this is expected to come from the CAP.
The new CAP (which still has to be worked out) runs until 2027. However, the first phase of the nature plans runs until 2030. The budget for the last three years is missing and as long as the financial justification is lacking, the Commission cannot proceed with the plans according to the Copa cogeca.
The initiatives under the banner of the Green Deal are starting to pile up. An important part of this is on the shoulders of the agricultural sector. And it is becoming increasingly difficult for the farmer to bear this increasing burden. Weighing each plan individually on the consequences for soil, productivity and food security is not sufficient, but according to Copa Cogeca an extensive study of the consequences of the Green Deal as a whole is needed.
Jurphaas Lugtenburg
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