Europe Farmers protests: EU Scraps Plans to halve Pesticide Use
Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, has declared intentions to discard a proposal that aimed to cut pesticide use by half across the EU.
This decision appears to be a response to protests from farmers in several EU countries who oppose various regulations, including the proposed reduction in pesticide usage. Von der Leyen characterized the proposal as a “symbol of polarization.”
The decision to reverse the proposal still requires formal approval. Reduction in pesticide usage is one of the grievances expressed by farmers in countries like France, Belgium, and the Netherlands during recent demonstrations.
They argue that reducing pesticide usage will harm their crops and jeopardize food production in the EU.
Von der Leyen emphasized the importance of listening to farmers and understanding their concerns about the future of agriculture and their livelihoods during her address to the European Parliament. She also acknowledged that the issue of pesticide usage remains unresolved and further discussions are necessary before a new proposal can be presented.
The EU’s initial goal was to halve chemical pesticide usage by 2030 as part of its Green Deal, aimed at combating climate change. The proposal also included a ban on pesticide use in public parks, gardens, schools, and sports fields, which faced rejection by the European Parliament in November.
The decision to scrap the proposal was welcomed by some, including the European farmers’ lobby COPA-COGECA, whose president, Christiane Lambert, criticized the initial proposal for being poorly designed, evaluated, and financed. However, Green MEP Bas Eickhout opposed the U-turn and urged Von der Leyen to develop a new plan for reducing pesticide usage.
He said it was in everyone’s interests, including farmers, to do so.
The EU is facing increasing demands from member states to change its approach to climate change in the wake of the growing farmer protests.
On Tuesday, it also recommended that net greenhouse gas emissions be slashed by 90% by 2040, compared to 2015 levels – but reduced the specific demands on the agricultural sector.
“We need to make sure we have a balanced approach,” said European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, who unveiled the proposal.
“The vast majority of our citizens sees the effects of climate change, does want protection, but is also worried about what that implies for their livelihood.”
The emissions announcement did not satisfy some, including Alexandr Vondra – a member of the eurosceptic European Conservatives and Reformists Group.
He described the EU targets as “unrealistic ambitions”, according to the Reuters news agency.
Tuesday’s announcements come almost a week after the EU gave its first concession to the farmers, announcing it would delay rules forcing them to leave parts of their land unused to protect the environment.
Meanwhile, the protests are continuing.
Spain and Bulgaria on Tuesday saw hundreds of their farmers take to the streets – blocking roads and causing severe disruption to motorists.
Like farmers elsewhere, they demand more flexibility from the EU, tighter controls on the produce of non-EU countries and more help from their government.
Greek farmers have also been discussing the possibility of blocking key roads in order to try and force the government to agree to their demands.
