European Commission seeks to weaken agricultural policy

Here are three reasons why foodwatch calls on MEPs to reject the proposal:

1. Inadequate answer to farmers demonstrations

Earlier this spring, tractors were driving through and blocking the city streets in Brussels and other capitals. These widespread demonstrations have been misleadingly used by the European Commission to propose significant changes to the CAP. The proposed amendments would increase reliance on harmful substances such as pesticides and fertilisers, and disadvantage farmers in the long run, favouring major agricultural corporations. This is in total contradiction to the EU promises under the Green Deal and the urgency to act upon the climate and environmental emergencies.

2. The subsidies will mostly benefit those who harm the environment

For the period 2021 to 2027, no less than 387 billion euro are allocated to the CAP, a heavy weight among EU laws. Although the CAP already has loopholes, to receive the money, farmers need to respect minimal environmental requirements. But eliminating the existing environmental conditionalities would mean that public money will mostly encourage environment damaging agricultural practices (large-scale farming, use of pesticides etc.) instead of the much-needed transition towards sustainability.

3. Fast-tracked decision-making

The CAP represents a huge budget, of which allocation is a lengthy process, involving broad consultations. Yet, alarmingly, the proposed changes are being rushed through the decision-making process just before the end of the legislative phase. The proposal was only discussed with a handful of farmers’ unions without broad societal consultations and without any impact assessment in due form.

1. SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

Explanation:

The article discusses the proposed changes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the European Union, which have implications for various sustainable development goals. SDG 2 aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The proposed changes to the CAP may impact the goal of achieving sustainable agriculture by increasing reliance on harmful substances and favoring major agricultural corporations.

SDG 12 focuses on responsible consumption and production. The article highlights that eliminating existing environmental conditionalities in the CAP would encourage environment-damaging agricultural practices, which goes against the goal of promoting sustainable production and consumption.

SDG 13 relates to climate action. The article mentions that the proposed changes contradict the EU promises under the Green Deal and the urgency to act upon climate and environmental emergencies. This indicates a connection between the CAP changes and the need for climate action.

SDG 15 aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The proposed changes to the CAP, such as increased use of pesticides and fertilizers, may have implications for biodiversity and the overall health of terrestrial ecosystems.

2. Specific targets under those SDGs based on the article’s content:

• Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems
• Target 12.4: Environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes
• Target 13.2: Integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
• Target 15.1: Conservation and restoration of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems

Explanation:

The proposed changes to the CAP may affect the achievement of specific targets under the relevant SDGs:

Target 2.4 focuses on sustainable food production systems. The article highlights that the proposed amendments would increase reliance on harmful substances such as pesticides and fertilizers, which goes against the goal of promoting sustainable agriculture.

Target 12.4 aims for environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes. The article mentions that eliminating existing environmental conditionalities in the CAP would encourage environment-damaging agricultural practices, indicating a potential deviation from this target.

Target 13.2 relates to integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. The article states that the proposed changes contradict the EU promises under the Green Deal and the urgency to act upon climate and environmental emergencies, suggesting a potential misalignment with this target.

Target 15.1 focuses on the conservation and restoration of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. The increased use of pesticides and fertilizers mentioned in the article may have negative impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, potentially hindering progress towards this target.

3. Indicators mentioned or implied in the article to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Use of harmful substances such as pesticides and fertilizers
• Existence of environmental conditionalities in the CAP
• Inclusion of climate change measures in national policies
• Impact on biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystem health

Explanation:

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

The use of harmful substances such as pesticides and fertilizers can be an indicator of progress towards sustainable food production systems (Target 2.4) and environmentally sound management of chemicals (Target 12.4).

The existence of environmental conditionalities in the CAP can serve as an indicator of progress towards sustainable agriculture and responsible consumption and production.

The inclusion of climate change measures in national policies can be an indicator of progress towards integrating climate change measures into policies, strategies, and planning (Target 13.2).

The impact on biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystem health can be an indicator of progress towards the conservation and restoration of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems (Target 15.1).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: foodwatch.org

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