Despite the fact that the pandemic has created new challenges for European agriculture, EC Vice President Frans Timmermans has stated that he does not plan to change his agenda prior to COVID-19. For this reason, on May 20, the Commissioner for the Environment has been scheduled to present the communication "Biodiversity on the horizon 2030", and the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety is presenting the strategy "From farm to table".
The latest drafts of both documents suggest that the area devoted to organic farming should represent 25% of the total agricultural area of the European Union by the year 2030, that 10% of agricultural land be destined to non-productive elements, that the use of fertilizers be reduced by 20% and that the use of plant protection products be cut by 50%. There is also the possibility of expanding the areas included in the Natura 2000 Network, with the limitations that this would entail for agricultural and livestock activities.
The pandemic has shown that the health and nutrition of the European population cannot be in the hands of third countries; that strategic sectors must not be relocated and that thanks to the CAP and the efforts of agricultural producers, the supermarket shelves are well stocked.
That is why ASAJA Seville has asked the Commissioner for Agriculture to oppose a project that will have a negative impact on agricultural producers and ranchers, while other sectors and urban areas are only encouraged to act voluntarily. They also believe that Vice President Timmermans should be declared persona non grata by the agricultural sector.
Source: agrodigital.com