The MEPs on the European Parliament’s Environment Committee all gave a warm welcome to the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, presented to them by the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, on Friday 5 June (see EUROPE 12491/2).
Some, such as Jytte Guteland (S&D, Sweden), judged it “excellent”, while others said they were “pleasantly surprised” by the level of ambition, i.e. binding targets in 2021 for the restoration of at least 30% of all terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030.
In response to questions from MEPs concerned about the ability to meet the targets this time, after the resounding failure of the 2020 strategy, the Commissioner said that the involvement of all actors in society and the progress indicators are the best guarantees of the success of the 2030 strategy.
“Nature conservation is an integral part of a resilient future economy. The CAP will be an essential tool for reversing the long-term loss of biodiversity. I want a strategy that is inclusive in its implementation”, said Mr Sinkevičius. He said that in 2021 the Commission will support new sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry practices. Agrotourism and organic production should create new jobs, and it will be possible to combine profit and sustainability in agriculture as well as in forestry and fisheries.
Ville Niinistö (Greens/EFA, Finland) stressed the importance of sustainable forest management.
Pesticides. To Alexandr Vondra (ECR, Czech Republic), the Commissioner said that the target of a minimum 50% reduction to eliminate the risks of chemical and high-risk pesticides is within reach. Integrated pesticide management is a practice that is taking hold, while yields are not declining. Member States and the Commission wish to reduce its use in terms of both volume and percentage. “In Denmark, a 50% reduction is possible; in France, it is expected by 2025”, the Commissioner stressed.
Pollinators: answering questions from Jytte Guteland and Mairead McGuinness (EPP, Ireland), he said the EU’s pollinator initiative will be reviewed by the end of the year with a view to improving it.
Balancing competing interests. The Commissioner is convinced that the Biodiversity Strategy is an opportunity for farmers to become more competitive. He mentioned an estimated economic value creation of 1.8 trillion euros. In addition, the new CAP must provide means to compensate farmers for sustainable choices (an increase of 15 billion euros in the new MFF), and the ‘Farm to fork’ strategy includes measures to increase farmers’ competitiveness.
Like Maria Soraya Rodriguez (Renew Europe, Spain), he believes that money is key to financing the transition. He mentioned the instrument for circular economy and environmental protection that will be created within Invest EU (10 billion euros). He also said a delegated act establishing a taxonomy for the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems will be fully operational by 2022. The aim will be to have EUR 35 billion per year to fund Natura 2000. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)