Pouring cold water on expectations of a quick cut of pesticides in the EU. Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, assured that this will happen this Monday. It is “very difficult” for the European Union to reach agreement on a legislative project to reduce its use pesticide before the end of the current Community legislature. The next European Parliament (EP) elections will be held on 6-9 June 2024. Spain will assume the presidency of the community this summer.
“Honestly, it will be very difficult to close the deal on such a complex issue in this legislature,” the Spanish politician said when they arrived at the meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg, where they will discuss the arrangement. reduce pesticide use.
In June last year, the European Commission Proposal to mandate a 50% reduction in the use of chemical pesticides by 2030 in the European Unionwill evolve into different national targets, depending on the initial situation of each Member State.
Community Manager ignored Consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on agriculture In presenting this proposal, and thus last December, Member States asked the Commission to prepare a new impact analysis.
“We await the supplemental impact report requested by the Council (Member States). We are waiting for the first week of July,” Planas said. said.
In fact, at the next meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers, In July, already under the Spanish presidency, there will be a discussion on the topic.
Minister says offer won’t be overturned
Even if the Member States, which are co-legislators of the European Parliament and the Union, do not agree on the legislative dossier before the end of the legislative period, Planas denied that the offer would be rejected.
“In terms of both the Green Pact and (strategy) Farm-to-Fork objectives, I believe this is how the European Union joins them, and of course Spain joins them,” he assumed.
Planas also referred to what was happening in the European Parliament. The European People’s Party states that it rejects some files related to the European Green Pact.
“There is a great political rivalry in the European Parliament. We ministers cannot remain indifferent to this situation in the European Parliament.“But it is our responsibility and the responsibility of the Spanish Presidency to make progress on all these elements that can be done in relation to a proposal that has great impact from a productive point of view but is also tremendously technical.”
Minister, “We have a lot of work to do. What is my claim? Well, under the Spanish Presidency, progress technically and politically,” said the minister, and took part in the file.
During Sweden’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, Planas acknowledged that “significant progress in terms of integrated care, integrated therapies is possible and gives it an element of flexibility that seems important to us”.
“We fully agree with the goal of reducing phytosanitary use.But it is true that we must run this process meticulously and with a program that ensures that those who have to do it, namely our farmers, can do so without jeopardizing their ability to be profitable.”
“The farmer will not be left unprotected”
disclosed that farmers will not be left “unprotected” “concerning the need they have in terms of protection against problems such as pests or others”.
“But it’s true we must go further and further towards a more natural insemination.towards seeking not only fertilization, but also the most natural protection.”
On the other hand, he urged to “closely monitor” the implementation of the UK’s new phytosanitary control regulations so that they “do not create any unilateral element of unilateral trade restriction” and acknowledged that “things are going” for the time being. Good “.
Also Straight A call was made to take into account “current climatic conditions” in the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy.. “It’s not about making exceptions, it’s about making the implementation more flexible,” he said.
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