The new Common Agricultural Policy beyond 2020 is being discussed
in the European Parliament and the Socialists and Democrats Group
want to use this opportunity to build a sustainable future for
farmers, rural territories and consumers alike. This is an
opportunity to support those who are really working for the
well-being of all, instead of benefitting profit-oriented large
businesses.
Today the S&D members in the Environment, Public Health and
Consumer Policy committee backed new rules on support for strategic
plans to be drawn up by member states in the upcoming reform of the
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The goal is to promote genuine
farmers who make commitments to observe, maintain and promote, on
eligible hectares, agricultural practices and systems beneficial
for the climate, biodiversity and human health.
These new measures will be financed by the European Agricultural
Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for
Rural Development (EAFRD).
S&D spokesperson on this file, Susanne Melior MEP, said:
"We succeeded in introducing for the first time a financial
earmarking for environmental and climate objectives in the first
pillar of the common agricultural policy. This is a strong
signal: at least 30 percent of direct payments must in future be
reserved for eco-schemes.
“The new CAP must deliver greater ambition for the environment
and climate or we risk undermining the long-term viability of our
agricultural and forest systems. EU payments should reward
farmers who preserve the air, soil, water, climate and wildlife
we all depend on. We managed to ensure that the environmental
priorities identified are sufficiently ambitious and that member
states are held accountable so that the new CAP really delivers
its fair share towards the Paris UN Climate objectives.
S&D spokesperson on health and the environment, Miriam Dalli
MEP, said:
“The agricultural sector is a key sector in the fight against
climate change, but also in the broader fight against air, water
and soil pollution, and against detrimental effects on human and
animal health.
“Farming practices play a critical role with regard to
biodiversity. At the same time, agricultural activity is key for
rural areas in economic and social terms. Farmers must have
access to decent work and living conditions, and to fair prices
for their products.
“These concerns should be at the core of the new CAP. This policy
should be designed in such a way as to address long term and
intertwined challenges facilitating the transition of the
agricultural sector towards a net-zero greenhouse gas economy
rather than simply being used to fix the system for the seven
years to come."
