MEPs present plans revamping the EU’s food systems, to produce healthier food, ensure food security, a fair income for farmers and reduce agriculture’s environmental footprint.
Parliament welcomes the Farm to Fork strategy and underlines the importance of producing sustainable and healthy food to achieve the goals of the European Green Deal, including on climate, biodiversity, zero pollution and public health. MEPs highlighted the need for enhanced sustainability at every step of the food supply chain and reiterated that everyone - from farmer to consumer - has a role to play in this. To ensure that farmers can earn a fair share of the profit made from sustainably produced food, MEPs want the Commission to reinforce efforts - including through the adaptation of competition rules - to strengthen the position of farmers in the supply chain.
Other recommendations include:
Healthier food
EU science-based recommendations for healthy diets, including a mandatory EU front-of-pack nutritional label
Overconsumption of meat and highly processed foods with high salt, sugar and fat content must be addressed, including by setting maximum intake levels.
Pesticides and protection of pollinators
Improvement of the pesticides approval process and better monitoring of implementation to protect pollinators and biodiversity
Binding reduction targets for pesticide use. Member states should implement targets through their CAP Strategic Plans
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
“Fit for 55 in 2030 package” must regulate and set ambitious targets for emissions from agriculture and related land use, including strict criteria for biomass-based renewable energy
Natural carbon sinks must be restored and enhanced.
Animal welfare
Need for common, science-based animal welfare indicators for stronger pan-EU harmonisation
Current EU legislation must be evaluated to see if changes are needed
Gradual end to the use of cages in EU animal farming
Non-EU animal products should be allowed only if their standards are EU-aligned.
Organic farming
EU’s organic land should be increased by 2030
Need for initiatives - promotion, public procurement and fiscal - to stimulate demand
Next steps The resolution was adopted with 452 votes in favour, 170 against and 76 abstentions. The vote took place on Tuesday with results announced on Wednesday. The Commission is planning a number of legislative proposals under the Farm to Fork Strategy. MEPs emphasises the need for scientific ex-ante impact assessments of any such proposals (AM1) and during the plenary debate many regretted the late publication by the Commission of the Joint research Centre’s report on the impact of Farm to Fork.
Source: European Parliament News
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