VP criticism of the EU Commission's plans to green agriculture
The US would like to export more food to the EU. The US Department of Agriculture has therefore presented a study according to which food production in the EU will fall by 12 percent. The income of farmers in the EU will therefore decline by as much as 16 percent. The prerequisite is that the EU Commission's plans to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers as well as set-aside areas are implemented as planned. This reduces the crop yield.
The President of the Eco-Social Forum, Stephan Bernkopf, refers to the consequences of the EU strategy. Self-sufficiency with food would decrease. Food imports from non-EU countries would increase. The planned greening “must not endanger the security of supply”. Pernkopf calls for improvements to the EU plans and an “intensification of agriculture”. This is possible by breeding varieties that are adapted to climate change.
Trade agreement
At the winter conference of the Eco-Social Forum, Pernkopf renewed reservations about the Mercosur trade agreement with South American countries planned by the EU Commission. The EU has no control over how food is produced abroad. The President of the Chamber of Agriculture, Josef Moosbrugger, criticized the fact that “there are cheap imported goods hiding on the shelves and dishes that in no way correspond to domestic production standards”.
Agriculture Minister Elisabeth Köstinger committed to greening agriculture, but is pushing for other framework conditions. The corona crisis showed how important it is to be self-sufficient with food.
Green politicians defended the EU Commission's plans as an “opportunity” for agriculture.
