72 Amendments of Maria HEUBUCH related to 2014/2146(INI)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
- having regard to Article 39 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, in particular by increasing the individual earnings of persons engaged in agriculture,
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 8 March 2011 on the EU protein deficit: what solution for a long-standing problem?,
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the Communication from the Commission of 31. March 2010 on an EU policy framework to assist developing countries in addressing food security challenges,
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the Regulation No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs,
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the Special Report of the European Court of Auditors of 2009 entitled 'Have the management instruments applied to the market in milk and milk products achieved their main objectives?',
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the case for a local farming and direct sales labelling scheme (COM(2013) 866 ),
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
- having regard to the Draft Opinion of the Committee of the Regions entitled 'The future of the dairy industry',
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)
Citation 8 b (new)
- having regard to the Scientific Report of the European Food Safety Authority of 9 July 2009 on the effects of farming systems on dairy cow welfare and disease,
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas farm-gate prices stayed below the costs of production of farmers even during the period of relatively high milk prices from 2013 to 2014;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas sustainable farming as a source of high quality food can only be ensured if farmers receive adequate farm gate prices which cover all costs of a sustainable production;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas the decision to deregulate the milk sector and increase its competitiveness on the world market has translated into a decline in farm-gate milk prices as well as farmer's incomes in real terms and pushed 20% of dairy farmers out of business between 2007 and 2012;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas over-production drives down farm-gate prices and therefore supply management instruments are needed to prevent and address severe market imbalances and ensure an adequate income to producers;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Russian ban on European dairy products since August 2014 has had a significant impact on the EU internal market and is but the latest example of the risks of over-dependence on external markets, demonstrateding the importance of securing diverse export markets for EU productsmatching production with demand for dairy products within the EU;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the use of export subsidies, as applied to resolve the crisis on the milk market in 2009, contravenes the EU's efforts to support sustainable economic growth in developing countries and is therefore unacceptable;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas it is widely recognised that abolishing quotas will lead to a greater concentration of production both geographically and on larger farms; the upcoming end of milk quotas has already triggered investment in stables of above- average size, particularly in favoured areas in Northern Europe, laying the ground for a new over-production that could impact heavily on farm gate prices;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas concentrating production in larger farms does not in itself guarantee efficiency or income, as the Danish example demonstrates, but constitutes a major driver of excessive indebtedness of farms;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)
Recital H c (new)
Hc. whereas concentrating production in larger farms reduces both biodiversity and the diversity of rural communities and livelihoods, and in particular threatens milk production in disadvantaged areas;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H d (new)
Recital H d (new)
Hd. whereas recent investments in the European dairy sector focus more on drying towers for powdered milk than on transforming milk into products with a high added value – such as cheese;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that dairy farmers are particularly vulnerable to income variations and risks owing to high capital costs, volatile dairy commodity prices, input and energy costs, and that a sustainable livelihood from dairy farming is an ongoing challenge as production costs are frequently close to orconsistently above farm gate prices;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the Commission to address the crisis currently facing the dairy sector as a result of the lack of adequate crisis prevention instruments, a dip in global demand, global price volatility and the Russian embargo, and; recognises the targeted measures taken thus far in addressing the impact of the Russian embargo;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Urges the Commission to reflect on the causes of the crisis and measures to put into place to prevent future crisis as indicated in articles 219, 221 and 222 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products ;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the medium and long-term prospects for the dairy sector in both domestic and global markets remain favourableuncertain and, as a key part of the agri- food industry, the dairy sector has significant long-term growth and job creation potential which should be targeted under the new Investment Plan;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Takes the view that EU dairy policy after the expiry of milk quotas presents entails more risks than opportunityies for the EU economy,farmers both within and conoutsiders that any future measures must strengthen its competitiveness and facilitate growth and innovatione EU and therefore calls on the Commission to put into place measures to match EU supply with EU demand;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that strengthening and making compulsory contractual relations represents a concrete method of ensuring equitable distribution along the supply chain and reinforces the responsibility of stakeholders to take account of the market situation and respond accordingly;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Notes that so far the contracts are not working properly due to the lack of minimum standards in the contracts and the weak market position of farmers, as well as the fact that farmers in cooperatives are excluded from the Milk Package provisions;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Notes that the implementation of the Milk Package provisions in France shows that, when applied without defined minimum standards and without taking into account the cost of production, contracts involve a high risk of strengthening the processors' position in the supply chain rather than the position of farmers;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Urges the Commission to introduce compulsory contracts while ensuring that prices set in contracts cover production costs and guarantee an adequate income to farmers; to establish as a minimum standard that contracts are to be renegotiated in case the price paid falls below the costs of production; furthermore to establish minimum standards for contracts including defined quantity, defined contract term and defined quality; to ensure that contracts agreements may only be concluded between processors and recognized producer organisations; and to ensure that the Milk Market Observatory is notified of contracts when they are concluded;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 d (new)
Paragraph 11 d (new)
11d. Considers that new contract models should be developed by the Commission which establish a link between an increase in the price paid to producers for their milk and a stricter control of quality and provenance, so as to ensure that milk price better reflects the quality of the product;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that the sector, under the pre- condition of ensuring contracts cover the full production costs and ensure an adequate income to farmers, could further explore the potential offered by longer- term integrated supply chain contracts, forwards contracts, fixed margin contracts, and the opportunity to ‘lock in’ a milk price for a set period of time; believes that the option to avail of new instruments in contractual relations should be available;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights the important role of producer organisations (POs) in increasing the bargaining power and influence producers have in the supply chain, and regrets the fact that there have only been limited moves towards setting up POs; highlights that POs can benefit from financial support under Pillar II and urges further incentivisation and information through agricultural extension services to create and join POs as a tool to address imbalances in the supply chain;
Amendment 265 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Highlights that cooperatives, just like private dairies, have an interest in securing cheap raw materials and pass on price pressure to the disadvantage of producers; stresses that approximately 64% of all deliveries of cow's milk are made to cooperatives and that it is therefore of crucial importance to extend the milk package's provisions (including contracts and pooling) to cooperatives as well as abolish the supply obligation that applies to members of cooperatives in order to ensure that the goal of rebalancing power in the supply chain can be met;
Amendment 274 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Urges the Commission to develop a proposal to address unfair trading practices related to buyer power in the competition law, establish as a goal of competition law to ensure farmers' and agricultural workers' welfare, and allow producer organisations to pool and negotiate an amount of regional and/or national and/or EU production which corresponds to the concentration of processors' buyer power, which is in several cases significantly higher than 33% of national and/or 3,5% of EU production;
Amendment 277 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the establishment and Emphasises the importance of the Milk Market Observatory (MMO) in disseminating and analysing market data and calls for an increased role for the MMO; recommends the definition of a market index comprising the trend in product quotations, milk prices and production costs; recommends that the Commission take the necessary action to ensure that the MMO is in a position to communicate pre-emptive early warnings to the Commission, Member States and relevant stakeholders, when the market situation so requiresindex falls to a level that is to be defined; considers that the information provided by the MMO should involve monthly updates on market and price trends, and should be easily accessible and user-friendly for all stakeholders;
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines the importance of Member States providing the relevant information to the MMO as well as of the MMO publishing received data in a timely manner for the benefit of all stakeholders, and recommends that the Commission consider additional means of ensuring this information is received on time;
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that, under Pillar I, optional coupled support is a tool available to assist the dairy sector, while under Pillar II producers can avail of advisory services to support business decisions and sound financial management – if necessary, Member States can use insurance measures such as the Income Stabilisation Tool; calls on the sector to investigate the development of further insurance tools when the market is strong;
Amendment 309 #
Motion for a resolution
Heading 2 a (new)
Heading 2 a (new)
Assuming responsibility for sustainable production and animal welfare
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Considers that agricultural production has to respect natural boundaries imposed by local and regional availability of pastures and grassland, animal welfare, and environmental resilience in order to satisfy the high expectations of EU citizens for sustainable production;
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
Paragraph 17 c (new)
17c. Points out that the EU remains the first agricultural importer in the world and that growth in milk production for exports is reliant on the import of feed and fodder;
Amendment 313 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 d (new)
Paragraph 17 d (new)
17d. Notes that in order for EU livestock farming to become sustainable, the implementation of a strategy to replace imports of feed and fodder by pasture based grazing and home-grown protein- rich plants is urgently needed; the implementation would at the same time benefit sustainability of agriculture as a whole, since pasture based grazing is the most species-appropriate form of dairy cow husbandry and leguminous crops represent a major added value for crop rotation schemes;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 e (new)
Paragraph 17 e (new)
17e. Notes furthermore that the livestock sector contributes to approximately 14.5% of human-induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; notes that good agricultural practices such as pasture based grazing and the integration of leguminous crops in crop rotation schemes can contribute to the build-up of humus in soils and therefore have a high potential of rendering agriculture more resilient to climate change;
Amendment 315 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 f (new)
Paragraph 17 f (new)
17f. Notes that the regions experiencing the highest growth in milk production are already facing serious problems with nitrate pollution in water; calls for stepped-up efforts to protect dairy farming in mountainous and grassland regions and for a strategy to keep dairy farming covering the whole of the EU;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 g (new)
Paragraph 17 g (new)
17g. Notes with concern that while the number of cows in the EU is expected to fall, milk production is expected to rise; reminds that according to EFSA, the genetic selection for high dairy yields is considered to be a major factor leading to poor welfare in dairy cows; urges the Commission to stop this unhealthy pattern of intensification of milk production by promoting more balanced and participatory breeding approaches;
Amendment 317 #
Motion for a resolution
Heading 3
Heading 3
Potential for the EU dairy sector on the domestic market and on the world market
Amendment 321 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Points out that global dairy demand is predicted to grow by 2 % per annum, offering opportunities for products of EU origin; notes, however, that the market is increasingly dominated by dried dairy products; notes that the recent draft short-term outlook by the Commission found that global combined increased production proved higher than the estimated 2% per annum increase in global dairy demand; observes that growth in global demand should not be confused with a growth in global market; notes that growth in global demand is fairly steady in the medium to long term, while the global market develops in a more unpredictable fashion; notes, however, that the market is increasingly dominated by dried dairy products that, when exported to developing countries, enter into direct competition with locally produced dairy products and impact negatively on the development of these countries' agriculture and dairy sector;
Amendment 331 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Notes that the EU's commitment to achieving food security in developing countries should translate into building resilient local and regional production and short food chains to feed local populations; notes that this approach to ensuring food security is likewise necessary for the EU itself;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Notes that the EU is in the process of concluding an Economic Partnership Agreement with West Africa, which aims to abolish customs duties on at least 75% of its exports to the region, including powdered milk; it is to be expected that strong EU exports will undermine the development of dairy farming and small dairies in those countries;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Calls on the Commission to put into place stringent monitoring and complaint mechanisms to prevent increasing exports from distorting third countries markets especially, but not only, when using exports subsidies;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)
Paragraph 18 d (new)
18d. Considers any kind of export subsidies as a distortion of external markets while providing no additional benefits for EU domestic farm gate prices; stresses that the EU, as part of the WTO Doha Round, has already offered to eliminate farm export subsidies and calls for full implementation of this promise into EU legislation in the interest of sustainable economic growth in developing countries and for the sake of international solidarity;
Amendment 339 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines that bilateral trade negotiations may represent strategic opportunities forNotes that the current TTIP negotiations show how the quest for export opportunities opens the door for lower food safety, animal welfare and environmental standards in the EU; notes also the threat posed to PDI, PGI and TSG of European dairy products in negotiations with the EUS dairy sectorindustry;
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Believes that the EU-Canada agreement which will permit the ‘mass’ import of our cheeses, risks penalising the development of small, local Canadian producers for a modest EU export volume (17 700 tonnes or 2% of European cheese exports); and risks primarily to undermine the Canadian market regulation system, which is often considered exemplary, as it protects both producer and consumer interests; the Canadian system bases adjustments of internal market production and milk price indexation on the actual cost of production rather than on global prices, which results in significantly higher and more stable milk prices than in Europe;
Amendment 359 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses the continuing need to identify and develop new markets, increase the EU global market share, secure fair access for EU exporters and stimulate export growthNotes that the Russian embargo is an example of how over-reliance on export markets creates uncontrollable dependencies that can easily backfire in case of a change in geopolitical circumstances;
Amendment 372 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes that Chinese milk production has quadrupled between 2000 and 2011; the Chinese central government's ‘Number 1’ Policy Document of 2013 aims at continuing its ongoing effort to scale up, intensify and consolidate the Chinese dairy industry, and therefore any prognosis on future Chinese demand for imported milk products is characterised by high uncertainty;
Amendment 375 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Notes furthermore that EU companies face competition from a few powerful global exporters (including New Zealand, the United States of America and Australia) which have historically had access to Asian markets and which have a decisive influence on the price of dairy products on the global market;
Amendment 376 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Considers it unacceptable that farmgate milk prices in Europe should be so closely linked to volatile global prices, given that 90% of EU produce is destined for sale on the European market;
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20d. Takes the view that the export- orientation of EU dairy policy entails more risks than opportunities for farmers both within and outside the EU and therefore considers that EU production should be matched with EU demand, and exports should not be subsidised;
Amendment 387 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses the need for the sector to move away from unprocessed bulk production; considers that full use should be made of research measures to develop innovative high-value dairy products in high growth markets such as medicinal nutritional products and nutritional products for infants and athletes;
Amendment 390 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Points out that according to UNICEF, infant formula is not an acceptable substitute for breast milk and therefore calls on the Commission to ensure that its policies do not contravene with efforts to promote the value of breast-feeding both within the EU and in third countries;
Amendment 395 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Notes that the sector has not engaged with the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and, Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) schemes in a meaningful manner; calls on the Commission to simplify access to these schemes;
Amendment 401 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Notes that the sector has not engaged with existing labelling schemes for optional quality terms, such as that which exists for Mountain Products, as provided for by the Regulation No 1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs;
Amendment 406 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Recalls that studies of purchasing behaviour indicate high level of interest in buying local and regional food, with main motives for purchase concerning not just the price/quality ratio but also the will to access seasonal products and support the social and environmental role of agriculture;
Amendment 407 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Notes that EU consumers are often willing to pay more for locally-produced milk in order to support farmers of their region; further, notes the resulting short supply chains retain a higher share of the value added in the rural areas and have a positive impact on local rural employment;
Amendment 408 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 d (new)
Paragraph 23 d (new)
23d. Urges the Commission to put forward a labelling of origin scheme for milk, as has been undertaken for meat, ensuring that it entails as little administrative, control and budgetary burden as possible for producers;
Amendment 409 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 e (new)
Paragraph 23 e (new)
23e. Welcomes the efforts put forward to establish milk produced without use of silage (‘haymilk’) as a TSG and encourages similar efforts for other types of milk that distinguish themselves by quality and production methods, such as milk from pasture based grazing and mountain milk;
Amendment 415 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses that existing ‘safety net’ measures such as public intervention and private storage aid are not suitable tools to address persistent volatility or a crisis in the milk sector and have proved to be ineffective in guaranteeing adequate and stable farm gate prices in the long-term as stored products can cause market disturbances when released on the market again;
Amendment 425 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Reminds the Commission of its obligation under Article 219 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 not only to address actual market disturbance, but also to take immediate action to prevent market disturbance, including in cases where action would prevent such threats of market disturbance from materialising, continuing or turning into a more severe or prolonged disturbance, or where delaying immediate action would threaten to cause or aggravate the disturbance or would increase the extent of the measures which would later be necessary to address the threat or disturbance or would be detrimental to production or market conditions;
Amendment 428 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Reminds the Commission of its competence under Article 222 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 to adopt implementing acts to counter severe imbalance in markets, in particular with regard to temporary planning of production taking into account the specific nature of the production cycle, after intervention or private storage have been granted;
Amendment 429 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 c (new)
Paragraph 24 c (new)
24c. Notes that the dairy market is characterised by a relatively small difference between world production and demand of 1-3 million tonnes (or less than 0,5%) determining the formation of prices; and the EU as a major exporter would be in a position, by managing its supply during crisis situations, to impact decisively on the formation of prices on the world market;
Amendment 430 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Commission to implement more pre-emptive, responsive and realistic safety net provisions, and for the intervention price to be more reflective of production costs and adapted as the market changesto create additional voluntary and binding instruments to stabilize prices at an early stage of crisis by managing supply; to implement compensatory measures for farmers who voluntarily reduce production during the early phase of crisis; and to implement binding supply management measures with compensation measures and fines during severe crisis and should be financed from within the sector;
Amendment 442 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the Commission to work together with stakeholders to fix indicators on costs of production which take into account energy costs, fertilizers, animal feed, salaries, rent and other key input costs, and revise the reference prices accordingly; to work together with stakeholders to define a market index comprising the trend in product quotations, milk prices and production costs and should serve as a basis for the implementation of supply management instruments when the index falls to a level that is to be defined and should as well serve to suspend supply management measures when the index recovers;
Amendment 445 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Recommends that this time-bound supply management should be administered by an operational committee for prevention and crisis management closely linked to the MMO and composed by all dairy sector operators and managed under the EU and Member States authorities' shared responsibility;
Amendment 450 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Underlines the importance of a more pre-emptive, responsive and realistic crisis instrument, and recommends that the Commission engage with the sector on the possibility of using risk management instruments such as the futures markets to take advantage of the volatility in the sector to increase its competitivenessintroducing time-bound supply management instruments to tackle crisis on the milk market and warns against using risk management instruments such as the futures markets which have a tendency of aggravating the volatility in the sector and privilege speculation;
Amendment 464 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that dairy producers are particularly vulnerable to imbalances in the supply chain, in particular owing to fluctuating demand, rising production costs and decreasing farm gate prices; considers that the downward pressure on prices by retailers from own-brand labelling and the persistent use of liquid milk as a ‘loss leader’ by retailers, but also the downward pressure exerted by private dairies and cooperative dairies undermines the work and investment of producers in the dairy sector and devalues the end product for the consumer;