Greens/EFA welcome Commission’s Strategic Dialogue conclusions

Today, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the Strategic Dialogues on the Future of EU Agriculture. Pending a detailed analysis, the Greens/EFA broadly welcome the conclusions of the report, especially those concerning resilience, the shift to healthy and sustainable diets, and the need to substantially invest in environmental protection for the good of farmers and long term food security. Prioritising this in the CAP expenditure is crucial. 

However it’s now up to the Commission to ensure the upcoming revision of the CAP reflects this urgent need for reform, including protecting biodiversity, adapting to climate change and making sure farmers get decent incomes. These much-needed changes are in complete contradiction to the recent sweeping modifications made to the CAP while the dialogue was ongoing, with little regard for open democratic debate or proper negotiations.

Thomas Waitz MEP, Greens/EFA coordinator of the Agricultural committee, comments: 

“This report shows the urgent need for major changes in the EU agricultural policies. It is now up to the Commission to ensure the recommendations are reflected in the next CAP proposal. Supporting farmers to transition to more sustainable and resilient practices is crucial, not just to meet the ongoing biodiversity and climate crises but also to make sure the EU will still be able to produce its own food in the future. Fair farmer incomes and market relations are prerequisite for farmers to be true transition actors. Protecting the environment and strengthening agro-ecosystems means protecting and strengthening farmers and building a true partnership with them.”

More:
The report recognises the “triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution”, and urges “ambitious, and feasible action at all levels to guarantee that the sector operates within planetary boundaries and contributes to the protection and restoration of the climate, ecosystems, and natural resources, including water, soil, air, biodiversity, and landscapes”