Setback for people and nature: CSV and DP parliamentarians agree to further deterioration of EU agricultural policy

Please find here today’s press release of the Mouvement Ecologique regarding the regressive vote of the European Parliament on 24/04/2014 to loosen the environmental rules of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.

Yesterday, Wednesday, was an extremely important day in the EU Parliament. A Commission proposal was tabled that envisaged a further massive weakening of the environmental requirements for agricultural activities to protect biodiversity and water bodies. Important requirements are being cancelled under the pretext of flexibility. This at a time when recent analyses show that – not least due to misguided agricultural policies – 2 million species are threatened with extinction worldwide.

In fact, the exact opposite should be decided at EU level: clearer criteria for sustainable agriculture with appropriate remuneration for these services for farmers. Instead of watering down the basic idea of the ‘Green Deal’, a real paradigm shift would be necessary!

It is most regrettable that 4 Luxembourg MEPs – Charles Goerens (DP), Martine Kemp (CSV), Monica Semedo (Focus), Isabel Wiseler-Lima (CSV) – voted in favour of this massive deterioration (Marc Angel, LSAP and Tilly Metz, Déi Gréng voted against). It will be difficult for these parties to communicate in the EU elections that they are in favour of more nature conservation.

The Mouvement Ecologique would like to emphasise that environmental organisations also understand very well the anger of farmers due to excessively long procedures and the eternal back and forth in agricultural matters, as well as the questionable handling of funding. But the solution to this cannot be an agricultural policy that is even more detrimental to the public and the environment.

Ecology and agriculture only have a chance in the future if they work hand in hand: this is in the interests of both. Yesterday’s vote represents a serious step backwards in this respect. A sad day for future-orientated and sustainable agriculture and biodiversity, a day that once again shows how important the upcoming EU elections are.

The question is how Luxembourg will react to this vote. The Mouvement Ecologique is urging Luxembourg to set the course more in favour of nature and the environment, as well as small-scale agriculture.

Mouvement Ecologique asbl.

25.04.2024