Brussels, 08/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 8 March, the European Parliament recommended measures to attenuate the EU's deficit in plant protein, with the adoption of the report by Martin Häusling (Greens/EFA, Germany) on this long-standing problem.
The very high decrease in crops of protein-producing plants in the European Union over the last 10 years (surface area for growing protein crops has decreased by 30%, with 12% for soya) has brought about a greater protein dependency on imports of such crops. As things are, protein crops only cover 3% of all cultivated land. The European Union imports 80% of its high protein consumption, i.e. over 40 million tonnes.
According to the rapporteur, this is a result of the GATT and Blair House agreements that allowed the European Union to protect its cereal crops to the detriment of oil and protein producing crops.
The EP calls on the Commission to include in its legislative proposals on CAP (common agricultural policy) reform after 2013 subsidies in favour of farmers growing protein crops as part of the crop rotation system. The reintroduction of protein crops into the crop rotation of farms would make it possible to reduce the European Union's protein deficit and acquire environmental advantages. Other measures requested include: - support for investment for the storage and production of animal feed; - and support for research and plant variety selection.
On the subject of imports of agricultural products containing unauthorised traces of GMOs and in low quantity, the EP calls on the Commission to put forward a technical solution: the draft regulation proposed by the Commission was favourably viewed by the standing committee on 22 February (EUROPE 10322). (L.C./transl.jl)