Brussels, 20/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - During the evening of Monday 19 April, the European Parliament in Strasbourg debated the report by Stéphane Le Foll (S&D, France) on EU agriculture and climate change. Due to the absence of many MEPs who are unable to reach Strasbourg because of the problems affecting air travel, the vote will take place during the plenary session on 5 and 6 May in Brussels.
Le Foll's report, on which amendments have not yet been submitted for the plenary vote, affirms that EU agriculture and forestry can contribute to achieving the Union's climate change mitigation objectives by finding ways and support to help reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, promoting CO2 sequestration in the soil, developing the production of sustainable renewable energies, and maximising the photosynthesis function.
The report underlines, on the other hand, that EU agriculture must adapt to the effects of the climate change currently taking place and prepare for the negative net impact of this change on many regions of the Union. According to the report, the Union must develop a coherent strategy for agriculture to adapt to the two kinds of adverse climatic effects anticipated: - overall global warming; - more marked variations in climate conditions resulting in an increase in extreme weather events.
Le Foll's report demonstrates that: - GHG emissions from agriculture (including livestock farming) declined by 20% in the EU27 between 1999 and 2007; - the proportion of the Union's GHG emissions produced by agriculture dropped from 11% in 1990 to 9.3% in 2007, inter alia as a result of the increased efficiency of EU agriculture, constant innovations and the use of new techniques, the more effective use of fertilisers and the recent reforms of the CAP (common agricultural policy).
In the fight against global warming, agriculture “has a place and a role to play”, the rapporteur pointed out during the Monday evening debate. He is seeking to demonstrate that agriculture “can continue to reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel consumption, as well as actively participate in carbon setting”. He explained that they needed to shift from a compartmentalised approach (as soon as there is a problem, we resolve it through legislation on water, soil and pesticides) to a global approach. The objective is to ensure, “ecological transition to agriculture” and guarantee that the agriculture sector “performs at an economic, ecological and social level”. The report also offers options on post-2013 CAP reform. Le Foll affirmed that “this post-2013 CAP policy should be ambitious and based on objectives that allow citizens to understand why we need a common agricultural policy”. He concluded: “We need a CAP because a Europe of agriculture has to satisfy both food safety and engage with the path towards sustainability”. He expressed hope that the great majority of the EP would support his position during the vote in May.
Peter Jahr (EPP, Germany), asserted that “agriculture is part of the solution” to the problem of climate warming. He added that each country cannot act alone and that they needed a CAP to produce food and protect the environment. Anneli Jäätteenmäki (ALDE, Finland) raised the problem of transport: “When we produce and do not have to transport food too much, it is a good way of producing. This agriculture should be sustainable from an ecological point of view and more investment is required in research”.
Martin Häusling (Greens/EFA, Germany) noted that 10% of total greenhouse gases are due to rearing animals and criticised the fact that the EU imported Brazilian soja and that certain deforestation was occurring to make way for agricultural land. He appealed for “European supplies” in this connection. Forestry is underfunded, according to Csaba Sándor Tabajdi (S&D, Hungary). He also said that the CAP did not provide enough funding for compensating farmers over publicly procured assets (such as maintaining the landscape and protecting biodiversity).
On behalf of the European Commission, the European commissioner for development Andris Piebalgs pointed out that the fight against climate change was an international priority and that the EU would provide one of the foundation stones for building it. The agricultural sector has already helped counter climate change. The commissioner pointed out that “we have policies for limiting greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture provides sources of renewable energy and the CAP strives to optimise carbon sinks in agricultural land”. He concluded that “we think that climate change has to be tackled in a global way” and that it is important to help agriculture combat climate change. For the post-2013 CAP, Piebalgs believes that it important to “better integrate greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in the CAP. (L.C./transl.fl)