Brussels, 01/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - European agricultural organisations Copa and Cogeca argued on Wednesday 30 September for “realistic and achievable” targets to be set in the review of EU air quality policy (see EUROPE 11365 and 11361).
At an event hosted by MEP Jim Nicholson, they warned that the proposed emissions reduction targets for methane and ammonia (currently under negotiation) were “unrealistic and will severely damage the EU livestock sector at a time when it is already suffering badly”.
Copa-Cogeca Secretary General Pekka Pesonen made clear that the EU agriculture sector was ready to contribute to combating climate change but said that some of the emissions reduction targets included in the national emission ceilings directive were “unacceptable”.
UK dairy farmer Robert Brunt told the event that 70% of his farm is in the nitrate vulnerable zone and he has spent huge amounts on projects to prevent slurry from entering the water system. He has also reduced fertiliser use by 40%. “With the collapse in milk prices, there is little money to invest or meet costly regulations”, he stated. Kasper Thormod Nielsen from Arla Foods also pointed to the fact that food demand is set to rise by 60% by 2050 and farmers should be in a position to meet this upcoming demand.
European farmers and agri-cooperatives urge the Commission to come up with a proposal by the end of 2016 for ammonia targets for 2030 that will create a level playing field within Europe and that will be science based and cost-efficient. The European Parliament is preparing to vote on this issue at the end of October. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)