This text, proposed by the European Commission in June 2022, forms a major part of the “European Green Deal,” and stipulates binding targets to reduce the use of chemical phytosanitary products in the European Union and halve their risks by 2030, compared to the period 2015-2017.
Von der Leyen expressed her regret before the European Parliament in the French city of Strasbourg, because the proposal “has become a symbol of polarization,” in light of protests carried out by European farmers for weeks, rejecting environmental standards that they consider excessive.
“Moving forward, there is a need to strengthen dialogue and adopt a different approach. The Commission can present a new, more mature proposal, with the participation of relevant parties,” she said, without giving a timetable.
“Farmers need economic reasons to take action to protect nature, but we may not have presented these reasons convincingly,” von der Leyen added.
The “Cuba-Cogeca” organization, which includes the majority of agricultural unions at the European level, criticized this legislative proposal as “a purely ideological text
that lacks balance, realism and funding.”
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, welcomed the withdrawal of the text, saying, “It is necessary to keep farmers by our side for a more sustainable agricultural future, and the dialogue continues.”
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said, “Long live the farmers, whose tractors are forcing Europe to retreat from the madness” being “imposed” on them.
Polarization
In the face of weeks of protests, Brussels is increasing gestures to appease farmers.
Last week, the Commission proposed a partial exemption from obligations linked to the fallowing of agricultural land and restrictions on Ukrainian imports, two main reasons for the protests, while promising to “simplify” the Common Agricultural Policy.
It also acknowledged the lack of conditions for concluding a trade agreement with the countries of the Common Market in South America (Mercosur), which is a red line for farmers and certain countries.
Last year, Brussels abandoned a proposal for legislative text on labeling food products, which was disturbing companies operating in the food industry sector.
Ursula von der Leyen reiterated, on Tuesday, that she is aware of the reasons for farmers’ dissatisfaction. In the face of the effects of climate change and the Ukrainian conflict, “many farmers feel besieged (…) They deserve to be heard.”
Von der Leyen, who may run for a new term after the European elections, stressed the need “to overcome the polarization caused by the current controversy, and to build confidence (…) We must avoid shifting responsibilities, and search for solutions together.”
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