The EU Commission announced today that it wants to promote organic agriculture in Europe and limit the use of chemicals to protect the environment. Environmental groups support the proposals, farmers' associations complain about the restriction of their entrepreneurial freedom.
Agriculture carries 10% of the greenhouse gases into the environment and is therefore responsible for the consequences. In Europe, farmers are struggling more and more with the effects of drought and floods.
The EU Commission makes various proposals to bring the natural ecosystem in Europe back on track. This also means that by 2050 we want to reduce net emissions to "zero". The corona crisis teaches us that the EU must redefine its relationship with the environment in order to become more resilient, said Frans Timmermans (EU Commissioner for Climate Protection) today.
The Commission plans to cut pesticide use by 50%, reduce fertilizer use by 20% and reduce antibiotic use in animal feed by 50% by 2030. Other goals concern soil management.Eco-agriculture is said to be 25% in 2030 and 10% of the usable area is to be diversified by creating ponds and hedges.
These goals have not yet been decided, but still need to be assessed by various interest groups. There is also a need for coordination with the goals of the EU environment ministers, which are to be set in 2021.
Agriculture stakeholders emphasize that organic farmers typically produce lower yields. A higher demand for food would then have to be met through more imports.
Source
Hansa Terminhandel GmbH
