Brussels, 26/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - Technological innovation (genetic engineering, mechanisation, digitisation) in agriculture help produce more productive, and more sustainable crops, stated the European Parliament's agriculture committee on Tuesday 26 April in adopting (by 23 votes to 14, with 4 abstentions) the own initiative report by Anthea McIntyre (ECR, UK) on which numerous amendments were tabled.
Global demand for food is forecast to rise by 70% by 2050. The shortage of available land, environmental degradation and loss, water shortages, increasing energy demand and the appearance of new pests and new diseases all bring considerable pressure to bear. The result is that farmers are finding it more and more difficult to produce food sustainably.
Using innovative practices, such as precision farming, and recent technologies, including the satellite ones, will lead to more sustainable production, more efficient use of water and other resources and higher farmers' income, MEPs say. Precision farming and digital technology integration can make EU agriculture more attractive to young farmers and boost growth and employment, they believe. The agriculture committee therefore calls on the Commission and member states to: - stimulate the development and uptake of precision farming technologies for all farm types; - apply a targeted research into nutrient efficiency to improve soil and water management and involve farmers in the design of soil nutrient mapping technologies.
Fighting the loss of genetic diversity. EU laws must enable farmers and breeders to make the best use of genetic resources to safeguard biodiversity and innovation in developing new varieties, MEPs state. They want to: - further develop the performance of local breeds adapted to their local environment; - support farmers' rights to breed plants autonomously and exchange seeds; - open up the conservation of genetic resources to a greater diversity of plant and animal species; - promote a greater dialogue between genetic banks, private and public plant research, breeders, end-users and all other actors involved in conservation and use of genetic resources.
The agriculture committee also repeated its criticism of the decision of the European Patent Office (EPO) to grant patents to products obtained from essentially biological processes.
Protecting plants. Farmers need a bigger toolbox at hand to protect their crops, including wider alternatives to traditional pesticides, such as bio-pesticides, says the resolution. MEPs call for further efforts in developing more cost-effective alternatives and want the Commission to work towards a more sustainable pest management system. The committee also wants a faster approval process for low-risk plant protection products. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)