Top Priority: EU Coalition Focuses on Farmers’ Position in Food Supply Chain
The three centrist political groups forming the new majority coalition at the European Parliament are prioritizing strengthening the position of farmers in the food supply chain, according to draft documents obtained by Euractiv. The Socialists and Democrats (S&D), European People’s Party (EPP), and Renew Europe all advocate for fair remuneration for farmers and addressing unfair trading practices.
The EPP is calling for a “full-scale inquiry” into why farmers are not receiving fair prices for their products and also seeks a revision of the unfair trading practices directive. The S&D and Renew groups are also pushing for reforms against unfair trading practices and better prices for agricultural producers.
On the sustainability front, there are differences among the groups, with S&D and Renew being more ambitious in reducing pesticide use, a goal absent from the EPP’s priorities. Renew Europe aims to halve pesticide use by 2030 and suggests using new gene-editing techniques as alternatives to traditional chemical pesticides.
The socialists emphasize cuts in pesticide use as a key objective and call for new legislation to achieve this. Additionally, there are calls for improving animal welfare and addressing issues related to the status of wolves and bears.
In terms of agrifood trade, the focus is on ensuring fair competition in international trade, with demands for integration of mirror clauses and reciprocity measures to ensure products entering the single market comply with EU standards.
Overall, the coalition groups are aiming to strengthen farmers’ positions in the supply chain, address sustainability issues, and promote fair competition in international trade.
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John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.