Von der Leyen withdraws plan to reduce pesticides by 50% due to “polarization” around the agricultural sector

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this on Tuesday Will withdraw proposal to halve pesticide use in EU Because he believes it has become “a symbol of polarization” and he believes that the next Community Executive will carry out a new “more mature” plan with the participation of farmers and the conclusions of the strategic dialogue with the sector that began. Will be able to give. At the end of January.

The German leader reminded that the Commission had proposed this regulation with the “worthy aim” of reducing the risks of phytosanitary products, but “It has become a symbol of polarization” just four months before the next European elections., Furthermore, he pointed out that the proposal was already stuck due to rejection by the European Parliament and being blocked in the Council, which is why he would propose to the College of Commissioners to withdraw it.

“We want to ensure that farmers remain the heroes of this process,” Von der Leyen pointed out in her speech before the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg (France) on February 1 to review the achievements of the previous summit, which coincided with a massive demonstration of farmers from across Europe in Brussels .

Von der Leyen has recognized The discontent of farmers, who “feel disenfranchised” and “deserve to be heard”, But he also cautions that, “They also know that agriculture must evolve toward more sustainable production models so that their farms remain profitable in the years to come.” For this reason, he said, they have launched a strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture in the EU, involving representatives of the agricultural sector, rural communities, the seed and fertilizer industry, the food sector as well as the financial sector, the consumer sector, and the agricultural sector. and Environment Group and Science.

The results and recommendations that will emerge from this dialogue are expected These will be debated in Parliament at the end of the summer

and with Member States and will form the basis of future agricultural policy. “We have to analyze the situation together, share ideas and develop scenarios for the future. We have to go beyond a polarized debate and build trust. Trust is the fundamental basis of viable solutions,” said Community Executive K. The Chairman explained before emphasizing the importance of “avoiding the blame game and finding common solutions to problems”.

joint solution

He Manfred Weber, chairman of the European Popular Party, has celebrated von der Leyen’s decision. To withdraw the pesticide law because “it makes no sense to increase the burden on farmers”, while praising the EPP as “a farmers’ party, although many try to assume that role”, against the extreme right. In indirect reference.

In response to Weber, spokesperson for the Social Democrat group, Iratex García has criticized that the EPP “does a disservice to the agricultural sector by attempting to protect itself”. And rejecting that he tries to “use the crisis and suffering of the sector in a partisan and electoral way”, contrary to the proposal to work together to guarantee the future of agriculture.

spokesperson ofGreens, Terry Reintke, which is advocated Solve farmers’ problems jointly and “once and for all”, Without ceasing to pay attention to the protection of biodiversity and the climate. “This is the time to act and not insult each other,” he stressed. For her part, Valerie Heyer, the new chair of the liberal group in the European Parliament, said “populists, as always, want to exploit angry people,” asking those who say Europe is abandoning rural areas “where They were” ?”When talking about increasing the resources they had”.