Amendments to the draft policy paper "The agricultural dimension of the Green New Deal: Towards sustainable agriculture as the rule

Transcription

1 nr Party Line Number 1 BÜNDNIS add Food insecurity is indeed a real threat, not because of insufficient land and other agricultural resources but as a result of unsustainable, inefficient and wasteful food production, distribution and consumption. 2 LMP - Politics Can Be Different Action Current Text Proposed Amendment Explanation/Comment 86 replace Rather than agro-fuels, investments should be directed towards energy efficiency in farm systems, Food insecurity is indeed a real threat, not because of insufficient land and other agricultural resources but because of poverty and as a result of unsustainable, inefficient and wasteful food production, distribution and consumption. Rather than agro-fuels, investments should be directed towards energy saving in farm systems, Energy efficiency is a misunderstandable expression meaning that less energy should be used for certain processes, but the expression itself is not including the total energy consumption reduction. Since studies showed the phenomenon of Rebound Effect, it is well known that energy efficiency does not cut the overall energy consumption. Green communication should use energy saving to make clear that the aim is not the production of more efficient tools, but the energy consumption reduction. Energy saving means that even though energy efficiency is implemented total energy consumption can t increase. 1

2 3 Vihreät - De Gröna 4 BÜNDNIS add Using agricultural by-products for the sustainable production of agro-fuels could however also be part of the solution. Using agricultural by-products for the sustainable production of agro-fuels such as animal manure for biogas production could however also be part of the solution. Biogas is an excellent, local and devolved method of energy production, providing it is ensured that it doesn't give rise to animal factories. Furthermore, it helps to tackle climate change by utilising A harmful greenhouse gas, methane, and it helps the environment by putting crucial nutrients back to the soil. 91 add We Greens favour a multilateral trading system over bilateral trade agreements since in bilateral agreements developing countries have even less bargaining power. We also repeat our call for a reform of the WTO. 5 BÜNDNIS 136 delete At the same time, it should not allow products to be exported or imported below the European cost of production. At the same time, it should not allow products to be exported below the European cost of production. 2

3 6 Europe 139 add Overall, we also strongly insist on keeping a global vision in mind, to avoid the emergence of a "two-speed" agriculture: one small, well-organised at the local and regional levels and one big, industrialised at the global level. Overall, we also strongly insist on keeping a global vision in mind, to avoid the emergence of a "two speed" agriculture: one small, well-organized at the local and regional levels and one big, industrialised at the global level. Indeed the second grows to the detriment of the first: it takes the land, and implies a system (research, economy, advisory system...) very different. These two forms of agriculture are incompatible. 3

4 7 BÜNDNIS replace Restricting imports to the products complying with our environmental and social sustainability criteria is also key to our vision for agricultural trade, provided that it foresees appropriate exemptions for the less developed countries. Custom rights or taxes on imported soy for example would be a good way to promote our own cultivation of protein crops, thereby bridging our protein deficit (80% of the EU livestock sector is currently dependent on soy imports, coming mainly from Latin America (12)). In the same way, banning imports of GM products would contribute to our goal of creating a GM-free zone. Commodities and resources should only be imported from countries that comply, in the production or extraction of these commodities and resources, with internationally recognized social, environmental and human rights standards and norms. That is, the exporting countries government has to provide a national plan on how the specific exports are not to contradict the progressive realization of the right to adequate food for the whole of its population, reduce biodiversity etc. However, these standards should not be used arbitrarily to hinder the import of goods from developing countries into the European market. Furthermore, custom rights or taxes on imported soy, for example, would be a good way to promote our own cultivation of protein crops, thereby bridging our protein deficit (80% of the EU livestock sector is currently dependent on soy imports, coming mainly from Latin America). In the same way, banning imports of GM products would contribute to our goal of creating a "GM-free zone". 4

5 8 EGP committee 9 LMP - Politics Can Be Different 220 Add In particular, all actors having significant position in agricultural products derivatives markets should be registered and regulated. Europe should put in place strong position limits (deletion) on food derivatives contracts of actors, which are neither producers nor final-user. The overall positions of these actors should in any case not exceed 30% of positions held on these markets. Moreover, food derivatives markets should not be used as investment vehicles by banks and investment funds. Investment products based on food commodities as Exchange Traded funds (ETF) which drive savings to commodities markets, should be banned. Furthermore, it is crucial to reinforce transparency requirements for all actors and enhance the supervisory capacities and proactive intervention powers of competent authorities. 243 add Agro-ecology is based on the following Agro-ecology is based on the principles (non-exhaustive): improving following principles (non-exhaustive): the biomass stocks and nutrients cycles, improving the biomass stocks and increasing soil fertility, promoting nutrients cycles, increasing soil genetic diversification, fertility, promoting genetic diversification (by supporting traditional breeds and local varieties), It is important to mention traditional breeds and local varieties as they are endangered by many factors although their importance is outstanding. Traditional breeds and varieties are more resistant to diseases, able to adapt to local environmental conditions. Emphasising their importance among the principles is reasonable. 5

6 10 LMP - Politics Can Be Different 244 replace Agro-ecology is based on the following principles (non-exhaustive): improving the biomass stocks and nutrients cycles, increasing soil fertility, promoting genetic diversification, improving energy efficiency (by reducing to energy losses and relying on renewable energy sources such as solar), Agro-ecology is based on the following principles (non-exhaustive): improving the biomass stocks and nutrients cycles, increasing soil fertility, promoting genetic diversification, realising energy savings (by improving energy efficiency, by reducing to energy losses and relying on renewable energy sources such as solar), See the explanation to AM 2 11 Europe 247 add Agro-ecology is based on the following principles (non-exhaustive): improving the biomass stocks and nutrients cycles, increasing soil fertility, promoting genetic diversification, improving energy efficiency (by reducing to energy losses and relying on renewable energy sources such as solar), encouraging the delivery of ecosystem services and pubic goods by strengthening the ecological synergies within the agro-ecosystem, maintaining biodiversity, developing a locally- based model of agriculture. Agro-ecology is based on the following principles (non-exhaustive): improving the biomass stocks and nutrients cycles, increasing soil fertility, promoting genetic diversification, improving energy efficiency (by reducing to energy losses and relying on renewable energy sources such as solar), encouraging the delivery of ecosystem services and pubic goods by strengthening the ecological synergies within the agroecosystem, maintaining biodiversity, developing a locally- based model of agriculture, promoting mixed farming and breeding, and production diversity. 12 Europe 254 add Organic farming aims to meet the principles above, and should therefore be portrayed as an example to follow Organic farming aims to meet the principles above, and should therefore be portrayed as an example to follow and be encouraged as such. 6

7 13 Groenlinks 295 add All types of reward systems for factory farming and intensification of farming should be abolished. Furthermore the sustainability demands for all types of farms should be the same and not depending on the farm scale. Since situations differ, the same demands still end up in a variety of scales in practice. 14 Vihreät - De Gröna 295 add new concept point after the text Introducing climate-smart agriculture Traditionally, agriculture has been considered good for the land. However, it has become increasingly not so, contributing to 14% of greenhouse gases. And vice-versa, it is also affected by changes in climate. Therefore, it is important to transform agriculture from its current damaging practices into a climate friendly, or smart, agriculture by sustainably increasing productivity and creating resilience, by mitigating green house gases and at the same time ensuring local and national food security and enhancing the achievement of development goals. In future, agriculture should become carbon positive, hence creating carbon sinks and any potential subsidies should be based on this. [Footnote] It is not the task of the EU to determine the scale of farming. The task is to determine and maintain the requirements of farming concerning welfare of animals, environment, nature, biodiversity etc. This implies also, that a general return to neo- traditional farming is not realistic. 7

8 15 Vihreät - De Gröna 16 Europe 310 add To end long distance animal transport, it is crucial to create a network of small, local and farm-based abattoirs. 318 add Factory farming (understood as intensive industrial farming) represents the exact opposite to our GND agricultural model. Those subsidies that still support this type of farming should be brought to an end and re-directed towards supporting sustainable farming practices. There are indeed multiple negative consequences of factory farming which are unacceptable: a high dependence on fossil fuels, synthetic fertilisers and feed concentrates, pollution, overuse of antibiotics and other drugs, disease outbreaks, unhealthy food and low animal welfare standards, etc. 17 Groenlinks 340 replace The road to environmental sustainability lies in the creation of local, self-reliant, community economies 18 Europe 395 add As a general rule, investments should be redirected towards innovative farming techniques Factory farming (understood as intensive industrial farming) represents the exact opposite to our GND agricultural model. Those subsidies that still support this type of farming should be brought to an end and redirected towards supporting sustainable farming practices. There are indeed multiple negative consequences of factory farming which are unacceptable: a high dependence on fossil fuels, synthetic fertilisers and feed concentrates, pollution, overuse of antibiotics and other drugs, all the more as it dangerously and increasingly threatens human's health, disease outbreaks because of the production of dangerous viruses linked to the density, unhealthy food and low animal welfare standards, etc. One of the roads to environmental sustainability lies in the creation of local, self-reliant, community economies As a general rule, investments should be redirected towards innovative farming techniques, compatible/fitting with agroecology systems It s not the only road. 8

9 19 Vihreät - De Gröna 410 add Farmers and local communities should be encouraged to diversify their business activities to create resilient communities and to increase social capital. 20 GroenLinks 445 add Consumers are at the heart of sustainable food choices; citizens with their vote take responsibility in public values. Governments authorized by voting, should take an active role to realise the public values and involve consumers to sustainable choices. Therefore improving the transparency of farms in Europe is essential so that consumers can take actions about the sustainability of the farms within their region. Public values as landscape, nature etc. etc. should be served by governments. The governments work together with the consumers to realize this. 21 Europe 474 add As European hygiene rules are often interpreted to fit the needs of big business, we need to make sure that there is also room for flexibility in those rules to support local structures and short supply chains. As European hygiene rules are often interpreted to fit the needs of big business, while threatening little farms or even agroecological systems, we need to make sure that there is also room for flexibility in those rules to support local structures and short supply chains. 9

10 22 LMP - Politics Can Be Different 23 Vihreät - De Gröna 24 BÜNDNIS delete The unhealthy levels of meat consumption in most Western countries (and increasingly in emerging economies) should be drastically brought down, as they are responsible for many contemporary diseases (e.g. cardiovascular diseases), and dramatic environmental impacts both in Europe and abroad. The unhealthy levels of meat consumption in most Western countries (and increasingly in emerging economies) should be drastically brought down, as they are responsible for dramatic environmental impacts both in Europe and abroad. 484 add For example reducing animal based foods in our daily diets down to 20 per cent (so called 80/20 diet) would result in climate neutral food production. To enable consumers to make informed decisions about the impacts of their dietary choices on the climate change awareness raising is required. 540 replace This global framework should increase the development assistance in infrastructure and all other physical elements influencing the access to food. This global framework should increase the development assistance in food security. The reason of increasing appearance of civilization illnesses such as cardiovascular disease is not only the meat consumption. These types of contemporary diseases are the result of a complex life style. The lack of exercise, air pollution, bad habits such as smoking, overstressed environment is also a cause of contemporary diseases. We do not see it as a major argument in this context. Ecological effect and increasing need regarding emerging countries and soy dependency, deforestation is rather a decisive argument in this context. 10

11 25 BÜNDNIS replace The EU should support developing countries in establishing domestic food reserves based on sustainable and regional farming systems. The EU should support small farmers in developing countries. 26 Vihreät - De Gröna add As the world s biggest trading partner, the EU also bears a great responsibility in helping developing countries to meet the food rights of their own people. As the world s biggest trading partner, the EU also bears a great responsibility in helping developing countries to solve problems regarding land ownership conditions and meet the land and food rights of their own people. 27 BÜNDNIS 550 add The EU needs to avoid any dumping. Export subsidies need to be abolished immediately. 28 Groenlinks 551 add Farmers in all parts of Europe should be supported and encouraged to have a leading role in greening the landscape, also outside the designated High Nature Value zones Food production and other societal values as nature, landscape, and environment should be integrated and not separated. 29 Europe 30 Europe 590 replace In this scenario, organic farming wouldn't need a specific category of support. 593 replace We call for a move away from the current compensation logic, to a logic of investment in best agronomic practices. In this scenario, organic farming would still need a specific category of support, as long as the economical context is not incentive for it, and as it is considered as a model to follow. We call for a move away from the current compensation logic, to a logic of investment in best agronomic systems. 11

12 31 Europe 32 Europe 596 replace Payments should take the form of investments with multiple benefits favouring biodiversity, decreasing pollution, promoting renewable energy, and maintaining local employment. 648 add The ecological Focus Area" measure still bears some environmental potential, but remains to be seen whether it survives, as fierce opposition towards this measure has already been expressed. Payments should encourage systems favouring biodiversity, decreasing pollution, promoting renewable energy, and maintaining local employment. The ecological Focus Area" measure still bears some environmental potential, but remains to be seen whether it survives or is manipulated to be overestimated, as it seems to be the case in France, as fierce opposition towards this measure has already been expressed. 33 BÜNDNIS 698 add This has to include a better and more efficient control of Cross-Compliance and of other legal frameworks. 34 BÜNDNIS 35 BÜNDNIS 698 replace Payments should be made contingent upon a baseline of ecological practices ( sustainability check-list ), 716 delete Conditions for payments to farms should thus combine an environmental sustainability component and a decent employment component to replace the current payment / ha system. Payments should be completely made contingent upon a baseline of ecological practices ( sustainability check-list ),... 12

13 36 BÜNDNIS 719 add We also need a stricter legal framework for some special problems, e.g. for the nitrogen-problem, which should be controlled independently from any payments. 37 LMP - Politics Can Be Different add Regulations should support farmers in establishing producers' organisations, which would increase farmers bargaining power in price making. Regulations should support farmers in establishing producers' organisations, which would increase farmers bargaining power in price-making; regulations also should support locally owned food processing industry. For small-scale farmers the market access is also depending on the available food processing industry. Besides supporting producers organisation for better market position among strong corporations, the alternative bottom-up industry would be the longterm solution for local sustainable production. Well developed locally owned and locally managed food processing industry should give a secure and partner for farmers. Local economic structures help the sovereignty of communities that is the basis of a green future. 13

14 38 Europe 760 add Agri-environmental measures must encourage a greater diversity of plant production and animal breeding through supporting sustainable use of local plant varieties/animal breeds in order to work against further genetic erosion. Agri-environmental measures must encourage agri-ecological systems, and at least a greater diversity of plant production and animal breeding through supporting sustainable use of local plant varieties/animal breeds in order to work against further genetic erosion. 39 BÜNDNIS replace Considering the challenges ahead for the agricultural sector, severe cuts in the CAP budget are therefore not an option. Without a consequent adjustment of the CAP even the Commission's proposal for the next MFF is no longer justified. This obtains in particular direct payments of the first pillar. 14