On Tuesday 25 January, the majority of MEPs were concerned about the impact of the Farm to Fork strategy on the agricultural sector.
A joint public hearing of the Committees on the Environment and Agriculture took place on Tuesday regarding the impact of the strategy on agricultural and food systems.
Two experts, Jayson Beckman from the Economic Research Service at the US Department of Agriculture and Roel Jongeneel from Wageningen University, recalled the conclusions of their studies on the effects of this strategy, namely a decrease in EU agricultural production (between 10 and 15%) and an increase in imports from third countries.
“Our institute is independent”, said Roel Jongeneel, in response to attacks on the influence of the agricultural lobby on the results of the Dutch study.
The representative of the European Commission emphasised the change in consumer behaviour (e.g., lower consumption of beef) and the need to take into account techniques that allow for lower prices and production costs.
“We need sustainability, but also productivity”, argued Herbert Dorfmann (EPP, Italy). Biljana Borzan (S&D, Croatia), on the other hand, referred to the costs of inaction on climate change.
Ulrike Müller (Renew Europe, Germany) expressed concern about studies predicting less production for the EU and more imports when the EU has the highest sustainability standards in the world.
Silvia Sardone (ID, Italy) felt that the Commission had not focused enough on commercial sustainability for farmers. Studies by the Joint Research Centre show a 5 to 15% decrease in agricultural production and a 10% increase in production costs. Prices will also increase for consumers.
Mazaly Aguilar (ECR, Spain) felt that the Farm to Fork strategy does not hold true and was disappointed that the Commission itself has not published impact studies.
‘No’ to apocalyptic forecasts! Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg) rallied against the apocalyptic predictions of the agricultural lobby and the alarmist presentations of these two studies. The production of animal products must be drastically reduced to meet the targets of the European Green Deal, she said.
Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe, France), chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, said that reciprocity clauses “could help us move forward”. Next year, the Commission will make its proposal on the sustainable food framework, he said.
Nora Hiller of the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) called for measures to review the food system (including resilience). Without action, soils may no longer be able to produce, she said in response to questions.
Pierre-Marie Aubert, from the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), felt that the objectives of the Farm to Fork strategy are realistic.
Anja Hazekamp ((The Left, the Netherlands) said that “the way we produce and consume is harmful”. The legislative proposals will be accompanied by impact assessments that will better show the impact of the Farm to Fork strategy, she said. Ms Hazekamp asked for an analysis of the costs of inaction, including on biodiversity.
Several MEPs stressed the need to meet the targets for reducing food waste.
The Commission will publish a monitoring framework in 2023 to assess the progress and cumulative effects of the different initiatives of the Farm to Fork strategy.
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) launched a questionnaire on 11 January to assess how links in the agri-food chain can change their practices to move towards more sustainable production. In the summer of 2021, the JRC predicated production cuts of up to 15% in 2030. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)