European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this Tuesday that she would withdraw the proposal. Halve pesticide use in the EU because he thinks he has become “the one”polarization symbol“and thinks the next community manager can handle that task a new “more mature” plan with the participation of farmers and the results of the Strategic Dialogue with the sector that started at the end of January.
The German leader reminded that the Commission proposed this regulation with the European Council. “Worthy goal” to reduce risks of phytosanitary productsbut “it has become a symbol of polarization” with only four months until the next European elections. He also explained that the proposal was already weakened after being rejected by the European Parliament and blocked in the Council, so he would propose its withdrawal to the Board of Commissioners.
“We want to be sure farmers continue to be the heroes of this process“Von der Leyen was paying attention in her speech before the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (France) to review the achievements of the last summit on February 1, which coincided with the mass demonstration of farmers from all over Europe in Brussels.” pulled.
Von der Leyen noticed: discontent of farmers“Feeling cornered” and “they deserve to be hearde”, but also warned that “they know it too” Agriculture must evolve towards a more sustainable production model Thus, their operations will continue to be profitable for years to come.”
He added that he therefore launched the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture in the EU, which includes representatives of the agricultural sector, rural communities, the seed and fertilizer industry, the food sector as well as the financial sector and consumers. and environmental groups and science.
Common solutions
The results and recommendations emerging from this dialogue, expected at the end of the summer, will be discussed in Parliament and with Member States and basis of future agricultural policy.
“We must analyze the situation together and develop future scenarios by exchanging ideas. We must go beyond a polarized debate and produce solutions. build trust. Trust is the foundation workable solutions“, the Head of Community Executive explained before emphasizing the importance of: “Avoid the blame game and find joint solutions to problems“.
Manfred Weber, president of the European ‘popular’, welcomed Von der Leyen’s decision to withdraw the pesticide law because “There is no point in increasing the burden on farmers”, while praising the EPP as a “farmer’s party”, a veiled reference to the far right, although many others have tried to take on this role.
In response to Weber, the spokesperson of the social democratic group, Iratxe García, criticized the EPP for “damaging the agricultural sector by trying to defend its defence” and rejected this initiative of the EPP. “Using the industry’s crisis and pain in a partisan and electoral way.”compared to what proposes to work together to secure the future of agriculture.
Greens spokesman Terry Reintke testified along the same lines, advocating that farmers’ problems be resolved jointly and “once and for all.” protection of biodiversity and climate. “It is time to take action and stop insulting each other,” he emphasized.
For her part, Valérie Hayer, the new president of the liberal group in the European Parliament, added: “The populists, as always, want to exploit angry people” and asked those who say Europe is abandoning rural areas “where they are”. When talking about increasing the allocated shares,