Activities of Ulrike MÜLLER related to 2020/2273(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives (debate)
Amendments (89)
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution on the new EU Forest Strategy of 8 October 20201a, _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P9_TA(2020)0257
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that agricultural productivity and resilience depend on biodiversity to guarantee the long-term sustainability of our food systems; underlines, furthermore, that much of the biodiversity across Europe has been created by farming and forestry and its survival is dependent on the continued active management of farmland; highlights the fact that sustainable and effective management of natural resources is of the utmost importance for maintaining biodiversity and combating climate change; therefore believes implementation should focus on profitable measures;
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that the new reform of the common agricultural policy already aims to improve the environmental commitments of farmers and underlines the important positive impact of rotation in the protection of biodiversity;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Stresses the importance of genetic diversity, of species and of natural landscapes, and considers that agriculture makes it possible to preserve the biodiversity of many regions, such as open mountain areas, by avoiding the proliferation of invasive plant and animal species;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Requires strong support to agricultural practices, such as agroforestry and pastoralism in high value areas, which provide a wide variety of ecosystem services, including biodiversity, landscape, carbon storage, soil protection, and water cycle regulation;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the high level of ambition of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 in seeking to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in the EU; reminds that effective implementation of the strategy calls also for economic and social aspects to be recognized in a more balanced way; considers that this level of ambition encourages policy action at all levels and promotes the development of research and innovative solutions to tackle biodiversity loss; stresses that the continuous decline in farmland biodiversity is a reality and that bold action is needed to counteract this trend; underlines that prior to expanding the cover of protected areas across Europe a holistic and in-depth evaluation of the effectiveness of current protected land areas is crucial;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission report of 2 October 2015 on the mid-term review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (COM/2015/0478),
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the high level of ambition of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 in seeking to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in the EU; considers that this level of ambition encourages policy action at all levels and promotes the development of research and innovative solutions to tackle biodiversity loss; stresses that the continuous decline in farmland biodiversity is a reality and that bold action is needed to counteract this trend, carefully balancing voluntary and legislative measures;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the high level of ambition of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 in seeking to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in the EU; considers that this level of ambition encourages policy action at all levels and promotes the development of research and innovative solutions to tackle biodiversity loss; stresses that the continuous decline in farmland biodiversity is a reality and that bold action by society as a whole is needed to counteract this trend;
Amendment 71 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises the strong link with the Farm to Fork strategy, the Forest strategy and the Bioeconomy strategy and the need for a holistic approach to the food system and to the forest value chains, keeping in mind all three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic and social); calls on the Commission to establish an evidence-based evaluation of the implementation of the Biodiversity strategy’s measures and targets, in particular of the individual and cumulative impacts on the social and economic sustainability of agriculture and forest based sector in the EU, food security and prices, and the potential risks of displacing biodiversity losses abroad by the replacement of local agricultural production with imports; as well as impacts on the wood availability, innovation, competitiveness, resilience and autonomy, including the potential leakage effects of the bioeconomy if the implementation restricts the sustainable usage of natural resources inside EU and which could increase the use of fossil raw-materials;
Amendment 73 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises the strong link with the Farm to Fork strategy and the need for a holistic approach to the food system; calls on the Commission to establish an evidence-based evaluation of the implementation of the strategy’s measures and targets, in particular of the individual and cumulative impacts on the social and economic sustainability of agriculture in the EU, food security and prices, and the potential risks of displacing biodiversity losses abroad by the replacement of local agricultural production with imports; more specifically warns that some trade agreements currently under negotiation or recently concluded by the European Union, such as the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, are in contradiction with the very objectives of the Biodiversity Strategy;
Amendment 80 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises the strong link with the Farm to Fork strategy and the need for a holistic approach to the food system; calls on the Commission to base all measures and targets included in subsequent proposals on impact assessments ex-ante and to establish an evidence-based evaluation of the implementation of the strategy’se measures and targets ex-post, in particular of the individual and cumulative impacts on the social and economic sustainability of agriculture in the EU, food security and prices, and the potential risks of displacing biodiversity losses abroad by the replacement of local agricultural production with imports;
Amendment 90 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Underlines that for the EU to be climate-neutral by 2050 there is a need for determined shift from the fossil economy to a circular bio-economy requiring investments for example in forest growth and the continued availability of wooden raw material guaranteed by sustainable forest management; highlights that sustainable forest management can support long-term wood availability for bio-based products while enhancing biodiversity and carbon storage; highlights the importance of using internationally recognized definitions to ensure consistency of collected data on global level;
Amendment 100 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Emphasises the importance of thorough and comprehensive impact assessments for any implementation actions related to the Biodiversity Strategy; calls on the acknowledgement of the subsidiarity and proportionality of the implementation measures which should avoid any unnecessary administrative burden; reminds that the consideration of specific national conditions as well as measures already taken by Member States have to be taken into account;
Amendment 102 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that biodiversity conservation is a key societal goal, requiring a broad and inclusive debate, and the effective participation of everyone in society, in particular those more affected by the measures, such as the farming community, landowners, and the forest based sector, while at the same benefiting from their knowledge and experience, avoiding top-down measures; and creating a sense of ownership, vital for the successful implementation of the strategy and generational renewal in the sector; stresses the need to provide remuneration and prioritise positive incentives and voluntary bottom-up participatory process in order to increase the acceptance, motivation and commitment of biodiversity protection, and thus, calls for a careful approach towards any new legally binding instrument; highlights the need to fully respect and support the rights of landowners; taking into account the actual base line at MS level and prioritizing voluntary measures;
Amendment 118 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Emphasises the strong link of the strategy with the post 2020 EU Forest Strategy and the need for a holistic approach to forests; stresses that the future EU Forest Strategy should be used as the main policy framework to coordinate all policies related to forests, forestry and the forest-based sector; Reiterates that Member States continue to decide, as highlighted in the views of the Council and the Parliament on the EU Forest Strategy, on policies on forestry and forests, including on their conservation, protection and restoration measures; stresses that defining forest and forestry related terms and measures, including e.g. protection and strict protection, old-growth and primary forests, afforestation and reforestation, degraded areas and closer to nature forestry, should be done by the Member States;
Amendment 120 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Invites the Commission to consider the need and the possibility for re- evaluating existing protected zones, which could include, inter alia, assessment of their effectiveness; Believes that there should be a possibility for consultation with the Commission for the change of the status of these zones if the evaluation proves it necessary;
Amendment 125 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Considers that the creation of sub- zones or regions, in the existing protected zones, where different range of activities could be permitted, based on the specificities of these areas, would allow for more flexibility while at the same time increase the effectiveness of the protection;
Amendment 131 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the key role of the common agricultural policy (CAP) in protecting and promoting farmland biodiversity while keeping in mind the main objectives of the CAP stated in the Article 39 of the Treaty; underlines the potential of the green architecture components of the CAP in promoting and providing incentives for the transition to more sustainable agricultural systems for producing food and maintaining high nature valuebiodiversity on farmland; considers that Member States must ensure the timely development and uptake of actions which contribute to enhancing the delivery and potential of biodiversity benefits in line with the required level of ambition while taking account special conditions at national, regional and local level as one size does not fit all;
Amendment 136 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the key role of the common agricultural policy (CAP) in protecting and promoting farmland biodiversity; underlines the potential of the green architecture components of the CAP in promoting and providing incentives for the transition to more sustainable agricultural systems for producing food and maintaining high nature value farmland, such as grazing systems maintaining essential grasslands and hedges surrounding them ; considers that Member States must ensure the timely development and uptake of actions which contribute to enhancing the delivery and potential of biodiversity benefits in line with the required level of ambition;
Amendment 140 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the key role of the common agricultural policy (CAP) in protecting and promoting farmland biodiversity; underlines the potential of the green architecture components of the CAP in promoting and providing active farmers with individual or collective incentives for the transition to more sustainable agricultural systems for producing food and maintaining high nature value farmland; considers that Member States must ensure the timely development and uptake of actions which contribute to enhancing the delivery and potential of biodiversity benefits in line with the required level of ambition;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and its level of ambition; stresses the strong link to the European Green Deal including the Farm to Fork Strategy and the need to reach coherence and a sound balance between the different high-level policy goals;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and its level of ambition ; recalls that there should be a coherent approach with the Farm to Fork strategy and the new EU Forest strategy;
Amendment 147 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reiterates the importance of sustainable utilization and management of water resources for the protection and the restauration of the biodiversity; encourages the Commission and the Member States to strengthen their support for effective and efficient irrigation systems and sustainable water management;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and its level of ambition; with respect to the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the Commission before proposing any targets to conduct a comprehensive evidence-based impact assessment of all strategies combining the individual and cumulative impacts on the social and economic sustainability of agriculture in the EU, generational renewal, food security and prices, and the potential risks of displacing biodiversity losses abroad by the replacement of local agricultural production with imports;
Amendment 157 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights the importance of maintaining and restoring high-diversity landscape features in agricultural landscapes for their value in terms of biodiversity, pollinators and the natural biological control of pests; calls on the Member States to develop the necessary measures under their CAP Strategic Plans to promote non-productive areas and features with the aim of achieving an area of at least 10% of high diversity areas beneficial for biodiversity at national level, promoting interconnectivity between habitats and thereby maxas well as agricultural practices which contribute to biodiversity promoting sustainably managed interconnections between habitats and thereby maximising the potential for biodiversity where voluntary measures needs to be taken into account; stresses that dedication to high diversity should not result in the withdrawal of areas from food production, which would put additional pressure on agricultural land availability and prices; reminds that access to land is one of the primary factors limisting the potential for biodiversitsettlement of young farmers and the renewal of generations in European farms, which is an important objective of the European agricultural policy;
Amendment 160 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights the importance of maintaining and restoring high-diversity landscape features in agricultural landscapes for their value in terms of biodiversity, pollinators and the natural biological control of pests; calls on the Member States to develop the necessary measures under their CAP Strategic Plans to promote non-productive areas and features with the aim of achieving an area of at least 10% of high diversity areas beneficial for biodiversity at national level, promoting interconnectivity between habitats and thereby maximising the potential for biodiversity; recognises that agriculture and forestry practices do not contradict the conservation objectives of high diversity areas per se and hence productive use must remain an option; stresses that specific local conditions must be taken into account with regard to admissible forms of productive use;
Amendment 167 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights the importance of maintaining and restoring high-diversity landscape features in agricultural landscapes for their value in terms of biodiversity, pollinators and the natural biological control of pests; calls on the Member States to develop the necessary measures under their CAP Strategic Plans to promote non-productive areas and features with the aim of achieving an area of at least 10% of high diversity areas beneficial for biodiversity at national level, promoting interconnectivity between habitats and thereby maximising the potential for biodiversity; considers that the setting up of non-productive areas should be assessed to avoid as much as possible a negative impact on the access of young farmers to land;
Amendment 170 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights the importance of maintaining and restoring high-diversity landscape features in agricultural landscapes for their value in terms of biodiversity, pollinators and the natural biological control of pests; calls on the Member States to develop the necessary measures under their CAP Strategic Plans to promote non-productive areas and features with the aim of achieving an area of at least 10% of high diversity areas beneficial for biodiversity at national level, promoting interconnectivity between habitats and thereby maximising the potential for, as well as agricultural practices and/or productive features which contribute to biodiversity;
Amendment 179 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. takes note of the Commission’s proposal to increase the area under protection and under strict protection; notes with concern that the Commission considers extractive activities such as fishing, hunting or forestry incompatible with strict protection, as expressed in a draft technical note on criteria and guidance for protected areas designations; insists that those activities that are compatible with protection goals or even positively contribute to biodiversity protection must remain admissible in areas under strict protection; echoes paragraph 10 of the Council Conclusions of 16 October 2020 on Biodiversity which highlights that stricter level of protection may allow for certain human activities, which are in line with the conservation objectives of the protected area;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes the importance of sustainable forest management (SFM) as an effective way to maintain and enhance biodiversity and the vitality of forests and to prevent pests and diseases also in protected areas.
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Highlights the importance of taking into account the different biogeographical areas and notes the differences in calculated biodiversity loss; recalls that only one biodiversity hotspot (the Mediterranean basin) is located in Europe and calls for prioritising actions in this hotspot;
Amendment 184 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls Commission to pay attention to the loss of biodiversity caused by the built environment and urbanization and to take effective measures to enhance biodiversity in urban areas, which should be seen in a holistic way with rural areas;
Amendment 185 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Underlines the importance of stimulating and supporting the rearing and conservation of local autochthonous/indigenous livestock breeds and varieties of traditional seeds, along with the development of modern livestock breeds and seeds;
Amendment 188 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Stresses that where conservation measures restrict the use of privately owned land or negatively affect its value, adequate compensation must be granted to the owner;
Amendment 189 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the recognition of organic farming as a strong component on the EU’s path towards more sustainable food systems; underlines that the development of organic food production, but stresses that besides its generally positive contribution to biodiversity there are disadvantages with regard to efficiency and yields hindering the achievement of other Green Deal and UN SDG targets and that therefore organic farming should be seen as part of the solution, but not as a silver bullet; underlines that the development of organic food production must be based on a supply and demand based approach rather than an area target and must be accompanied by research, innovation and scientific transfer, market and supply chain development, and measures stimulating demand for organic food, ensuring both theaiming to support stability of the organic products market and the fair remuneration of farmers; stresses that an area target approach threatens profitability of organic farming and hence could increase dependency on subsidies which would be in contradiction to the aim of the Farm to Fork Strategy to make sustainable farming a profitable business model for European farmers;
Amendment 202 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the recognition of organic farming as a strong component on the EU’s path towards more sustainable food systems; underlines that the development of organic food production must be market driven and accompanied by research, innovation and scientific transfer, market and supply chain development, and measures stimulating demand for organic food, ensuring both the stability of the organic products market and the fair remuneration of farmers;
Amendment 208 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that soil biodiversity covers different soil types (mineral and organic) which provide ecosystem services and public goods including food production, where organic soils rich in nitrogen supply and water retention capacity provide good conditions for biomass growth under non-rainy periods; therefore underlines that the role of climate change and biodiversity adaptation of drought-resistant organic soils needs to be seen broadly, and their essential importance on food and biomass security and resilience must be recognized;
Amendment 225 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the importance of sustainable forest management for the health and longevity of forest ecosystems including fauna and flora and the preservation of the multifunctional role of forests as well as for the achievement of the SDGs and for the implementation of the European Green Deal and combating climate change; reminds that the Member States have the responsibility for the implementation of forestry and selection of forestry measures; highlights the potential of agroforestry to improve and boost ecosystem services and farmland biodiversity, while enhancing farm productivity;
Amendment 228 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the importance of sustainable forest management for the health and longevity of forest ecosystems and the preservation of the multifunctional role of forests; highlights the potential of agroforestry to improve and boost ecosystem services and farmland biodiversity, while enhancing farm productivity; specifically warns that the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement may have the mechanical effect of increasing imported deforestation in contradiction with the Biodiversity Strategy and the ambitions of the Green Deal;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses strong support for theTakes note of the proposed targets of protecting at least 30 % of the Union’s marine and terrestrial areas, and of strictly protecting at least 10 % of these areas, including primary and old-growth forests; stresses that these should be bindingforests based on internationally recognised definitions; stresses that before proposing relevant legislation, targets should be based on a holistic evaluation of the effectiveness of current protected areas and implemented by Member StatesUnion-wide in accordance with science- based criteria and biodiversity needs; underlines that in addition to increasing protected areas, the quality of protected areas should be ensured and clear conservation and management plans implemented; insists that those activities that are compatible with protection goals or even positively contribute to biodiversity protection must remain admissible in areas under strict protection; notes with concern that the Commission considers extractive activities such as fishing, hunting or forestry incompatible with strict protection, as expressed in a draft technical note on criteria and guidance for protected areas designations; echoes paragraph 10 of the Council Conclusions of 16 October 2020 on Biodiversity which highlights that stricter level of protection may allow for certain human activities, which are in line with the conservation objectives of the protected area;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses strong support for theTakes note of the proposed targets of protecting at least 30 % of the Union’s marine and terrestrial areas, and of strictly protecting at least 10 % of these areas, including primary and old-growth forests; stresses that these should be binding and implemented by Member States in accordance with science-based criteria andhighlights that sustainable agriculture and forestry practices do not contradict the objectives of strict protection, : stresses that before any targets are proposed, an impact assessment should be conducted, the targets should be science based and also take into account aspects like food security, generational renewal and access to land for young farmers as well as the benefits of sustainable management for biodiversity and carbon sequestration; underlines that the 10% should not mean non-intervention management as this is contradictory to biodiversity needs; underlines that in addition to increasing protected areas, the quality of protected areas should be ensured and clear conservation plans implemented;
Amendment 241 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Highlights the importance of healthy soil for biodiversity, forest conversion and agricultural ecosystem services and takes note of existing knowledge and data gaps in the area; calls on Commission and Member State to support further research in soil ecosystem services and to adjust relevant existing funding programmes in order to facilitate such research projects;
Amendment 243 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls the Commission to ensure that any land protection target is flexible enough to allow implementation to take into account the precise conditions and opportunities of each country, with strict protection being a voluntary option for land and forest owners;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses strong support for the targets of protecting at least 30 % of the Union’s marine and terrestrial areas, and of strictly protecting at least 10 % of these areas, including primary and old-growth forests; stresses that the targetse should be binding and implemented by Member States, taking into account the national circumstances and internationally recognised definitions of the forest in accordance with science- based criteria and biodiversity needs; underlines that in addition to increasing protected areas, the quality of protected areas should be ensured and clear conservation plans implemented; considers that measures already taken in Member States should be fully acknowledged in the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy; stresses the need to respect and support the rights of landowners;
Amendment 245 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Stresses that the promotion of sustainable forest management in the EU has had a positive impact on forests and forest conditions and on livelihoods in rural areas, as well as on the biodiversity of forests in the EU;
Amendment 247 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Recognises that long-term public and private investments in a reinforced sustainable forest management which places equal focus on the social, environmental and economic benefits of forests can help ensure forests´ resilience and adaptive capacity, as well as achieving the transition to a circular bio- economy and the promotion of biodiversity;
Amendment 253 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Underlines the importance of resilient and healthy forest ecosystems including fauna and flora, in order to maintain and enhance the delivery of the multiple ecosystem services that forests provide, such as biodiversity, clean air, water, healthy soil and wood and non- wood raw materials;
Amendment 256 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 d (new)
Paragraph 8 d (new)
8d. Points out that achieving the EU´s goals for environment, climate and biodiversity will never be possible without forests that are multifunctional, healthy and sustainably managed applying a long- term perspective, together with viable forest-based industries;
Amendment 259 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 e (new)
Paragraph 8 e (new)
8e. Points out the need to develop a coherent approach to bring together biodiversity protection and climate protection in a thriving forest-based sector and bio-economy;
Amendment 267 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the importance of plant protection products and tools for the stability of agricultural production and the sustainability of farmers’ incomes; considers that, although progress has been made, a substantial reduction in the use and risks of chemicalfurther efforts to reduce and mitigate the environmental impacts of pesticides use is needed; stresses the key role of integrated pest management in reducing pesticide dependency, and urges the Member States to ensure it is applied and its implementation is assessed systematically; stresses that farmers need a bigger toolbox of crop protection solutions and methods, as well as bolstered training and advisory systems; underlines that in order to achieve substantial reductions in pesticide use and risk, not only safer alternatives must become available to ensure the availability of a functioning toolbox and more efficient use must be facilitated by tools such as digital and precision farming, but also there is a need for more resistant varieties that require less input to secure stable yields; stresses the importance of new breeding techniques for making such varieties available without undue delay;
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Highlights that an effective implementation of the strategy depends on its acceptance in rural communities which are often economically and socially dependant on land- and forest-use; underlines in this regard the need to take into account economic and social aspects along with the environmental pillars of sustainability in a balanced way and to include local stakeholders in the process of protected area designation;
Amendment 272 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the importance of plant protection products and tools for food security, the stability of agricultural production and climate change adaption and the sustainability of farmers’ incomes; considers that, although progress has been made, a substantialfurther reduction in the use and risks of chemical pesticides accompanied with development of alternative sustainable protection technologies is needed; stresses the key role of integrated pest management in reducing pesticide dependency, and urges the Member States to ensure it is applied and its implementation is assessed systematically; stresses that farmers need a bigger toolbox of crop protection solutions and methods, as well as bolstered research, innovation, training and advisory systems; as well as better access to new and better low risk active substances;
Amendment 287 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal to reduce nutrient losses; stresses that a strategy to reduce nutrient losses should focus primarily on enabling farmers to increase efficiency of nutrient management and highlights the importance of innovative technologies and solutions in this regard; further calls for the strategy to consider the climate and environmental impacts of different fertilisers;
Amendment 292 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses the role of precision agriculture in the protection of biodiversity as it contributes to reducing the use of pesticides, fertilizers and water, and therefore requires strong support for this new production model through the Common Agricultural Policy;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Stresses that where conservation measures restrict the use of privately owned land or negatively affect its value, adequate compensation should be granted to the owner;
Amendment 306 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Regrets the fact that agricultural production is being increasingly concentrated in a limited range of agricultural crops, varieties and genotypes; underlines that preserving genetic variability in all its components is crucial to promoting the diversity and richness of agricultural ecosystems and to the preservation of local genetic resources, in particular as a repository of solutions to help in facing the environmental challenges that lie aheadand food security challenges that lie ahead; reminds that achieving effective results requires investments in both new plant breeding techniques and the utilization of old varieties.
Amendment 314 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. RegretAcknowledges the fact that European agricultural production is being increasingly concentrated in a limitedkeeps offering a certain range of agricultural crops, varieties and genotypes; underlines that further enhancing and preserving genetic variability in all its components is crucial to promoting the diversity and richness of agricultural ecosystems and to the preservation of local genetic resources, in particular as a repository of solutions to help in facing the environmental challenges that lie ahead.
Amendment 339 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. WelcomesTakes note of the upcoming legislative proposal on the EU Nature Restoration Plan and reiterates its call for a restoration target of at least 30 % of the EU’s land and seas, which should be implemented by each Member State consistently throughout their territory; considers that in addition to an overall restoration target, ecosystem-specific targets should be set, with a particular emphasis on ecosystems forUnion-wide; considers that particular emphasis should be put on the dual purposes of biodiversity restoration and climate change mitigation and adaptation; stresses that after restoration, no ecosystem degradation should be allowed;
Amendment 404 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Highlights the importance of taking a shared responsibility approach including all relevant sectors on tackling the main direct anthropogenic drivers that duly takes into account all relevant activities such as the significantly increasing land sealing in urban areas; stresses that focussing on agriculture and forestry alone would fall short of addressing the causes appropriately; underlines the importance of taking into account specific local circumstances and to include all relevant local stakeholders in decision making processes;
Amendment 420 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights that soil biodiversity is the basis for key ecological processes and crucial to meet climate and biodiversity goals under the European Green Deal; notes with concern the increased soil degradation and the lack of specific EU legislation; ;calls on the Commission to submit a legislative proposal fexplore the establishmentusefulness of a common framework for the protection and sustainable use of soil that includes a specific decontamination targetwith regard to practicability, proportionality, costs, administrative burden and subsidiarity and to report back to the European Parliament and the Council; stresses the need to prioritise positive incentives and voluntary bottom-up participatory process in order to increase the acceptance, motivation and commitment of biodiversity protection;
Amendment 484 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the CommissionMember States to set specific ambitious targets on urban biodiversity, nature-based solutions and green infrastructure and to develop a Trans-European Network for Green Infrastructure (TEN-G) linked to the Trans-European Nature Network (TEN- N);
Amendment 503 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Expresses its support forTakes note of the 2030 targets of bringing at least 25 % of agricultural land under organic farm management, which should become the norm in the long term, and ensuring that at least 10 % of agricultural land consists of high-diversity landscape features, which should be implemented at farm level, targets which should both; acknowledges the benefits of organic farming for biodiversity while stressing the need to consider trade-offs regarding different aspects of sustainability; thus calls for exploiting the strengths of different farming models and further improving them on their weaknesses; stresses, that an area target approach threatens profitability of organic farming and hence could increase dependency on subsidies which would be in corporated into EU legislation; considers it imperative that farmers receive support and trainingntradiction to the aim of the Farm to Fork Strategy to make sustainable farming a profitable business model for European farmers and calls for a market- driven uptake of organic farming instead; considers it imperative that farmers receive sufficient support and educational training as part of risk management- and advisory services offered by National Authorities in the transition towards agroecological and sustainable practices;
Amendment 545 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. calls on Commission and Member States to take into account voluntary measures as well as pressure on the availability of agricultural land when implementing measures regarding high- diversity landscape features;
Amendment 602 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Insists that priority for protected areas must be environmental conservation and restoration and that no activity in these areas should undermine this goal; recognises, however, that agriculture and forestry practices and other forms of human activity do not contradict the conservation objectives of protected areas and high-diversity landscape features of agricultural land per se and even can be beneficial to their achievement; underlines in this regard that productive use must remain an option, taking into account specific local conditions; calls on the Commission to avoid future marine renewable energy developments and bottom-trawling fishing within Marine Protected Areas;
Amendment 636 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines that the new EU Forest Strategy must be fully aligned with the Climate Law and the Biodiversity Stratege need for coherence between the EU Forest Strategy, the Climate Law and the Biodiversity Strategy, in accordance with the Member States’ competence for forestry; calls for the inclusion in the Nature Restoration Plan of specific binding targets for the protection and restoration of forest ecosystems, which should also be incorporated into the Forest Strategy; notes with great concern that forests have increasingly come under pressure by events such as forest fires, bark beetle infestations, heatwaves and extreme drought; stresses that these events threaten unmanaged forests more severely and must be taken into account along with local conditions when setting protection targets, carefully balancing forest resistance and resilience requirements with biodiversity protection goals; underlines the important role of sustainable forest management in tackling the aforementioned threats as well as in increasing forest carbon sequestration, biodiversity and other ecosystem services;
Amendment 662 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Underlines the important contribution of multifunctional forests and the forest-based sector in achieving climate neutrality by 2050 by providing renewable alternatives to fossil-based resources and materials, including building materials that serve as long-term carbon storage;
Amendment 703 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to urgently prespresent, after an impact assessment, a proposal for an EU legal framework based on mandatory due diligence that ensures sustainable and deforestation-free value chains;
Amendment 716 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Expresses its concern that the majority of the ranges of terrestrial species will decrease significantly in a 1.5 to 2°C scenario; highlights, therefore, the need to prioritise nature-based solutions in meeting climate mitigation goals and in adaptation strategies and to increase the protection and sustainable management of natural carbon sinks in the EU, while ensuring that the full potential of biogenic resources is used in order to achieve the phasing-out of fossil fuels with a view to achieving the objective of the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 732 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Expresses its concern that the majority of the ranges of terrestrial species will decrease significantly in a 1.5 to 2°C scenario; highlights, therefore, the need to prioritise nature-based solutionsustainably manage our natural resources in meeting climate mitigation goals and in adaptation strategies and to increase the protection of natural carbon sinks in the EU;
Amendment 759 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Highlights that the substitution effects of wood-based products should be recognised as important in achieving the targets of the Green Deal and in increasing the carbon stocks in forests; considers that sustainably managed forests can support long-term wood availability and enhance biodiversity;
Amendment 770 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. WelcomesTakes note of the Commission’s targets of reducing the use of more hazardous and chemical pesticides by 50 %, the use of fertilisers by at least 20 % and nutrient losses by at least 50 % by 2030, which should be made binding; considers that the derogation envisaged in Article 53(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 should be clarified and must only be applied for h; recalls that before any targets be made binding, a comprehensive impact assessment on all aspects including food security and safety, social and economic sustainability of agriculture in the EU, generational renewal, food security and prices, farmland availability and prices and the potential risks of displacing biodiversity losses abroad by the replacement of local agricultural production with import should be conducted; adds that all targets should be market oriented; proposes to have target corridors to take into account the national circumstances and different baselines and to remain flexible for unforeseen challenges like crises or extreme wealth and environmental reasonser situations; considers that the derogation envisaged in Article 53(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 should be clarified;
Amendment 773 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. WelcomesTakes note of the Commission’s targets of reducing the use of more hazardous andand risk from chemical pesticides by 50 %, the use of fertilisers by at least 20 % and nutrient losses by at least 50 % by 2030, which should be made binding; considers that the derogation envisaged in Article 53(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 should be clarified andnutrient losses by at least 50 % - resulting in a reduction of the use of fertilisers by at least 20 % - by 2030; calls on the Commission to carry out a comprehensive impact assessment of all quantitative targets and their reciprocal influence brought forward in the Biodiversity and Farm-to-Fork Strategies before proposing relevant legislation; considers that while regulation by derogation should be avoided in general, Article 53(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 remains an important instrument to ensure farmers have access to effective means of plant protection; stresses, however, that it must only be applied founder thealth and environmental reasons; scrutiny of the Commission and in strict accordance with Article 1(3) and (4) of the Regulation;
Amendment 798 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Underlines that in order to achieve substantial reductions in pesticide use and risk, not only safer alternatives must become available to ensure the availability of a functioning plant protection toolbox and more efficient use must be facilitated by innovative tools such as digital and precision farming, but there is also a need for more resistant varieties that require less input to secure stable yields; stresses the importance of new innovative breeding techniques for making such varieties and calls on the Commission to propose a regulatory framework in this regard;
Amendment 800 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Stresses that integrated pest management (IPM) is only possible when farmers have adequate and enough resources; therefore stresses the need to come up with an innovation and substitution principle for IPM, meaning that before a substance/product is removed from the market, the Commission needs to be sure that adequate alternatives are available, to ensure that farmers have access to an adequate toolbox of safe, effective and affordable solutions, as well as access to the latest knowledge, technology and the best advisory services;
Amendment 810 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Welcomes the Commission´s proposal to reduce nutrient losses; stresses that a strategy to reduce nutrient losses should focus primarily on enabling farmers to increase efficiency of nutrient management and highlights the importance of innovative technologies and solutions in this regard; further calls for the strategy to consider the climate and environmental impact of different fertilisers;
Amendment 811 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Stresses that any reduction of chemical PPPs must be accompanied by a innovation principle that enables the research, development and employment of new innovative techniques including precision farming and new breeding techniques; calls on the Commission to publish the study on the potential of new genomic techniques which should be the basis for a proper regulatory framework;
Amendment 884 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Highlights the success of the Habitats Directive as an effective instrument for the conservation of biodiversity; stresses the need for more flexibility in protection measures to effectively protect humans and livestock if predators pose a danger, and to reflect changes in conservation status;
Amendment 919 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls on the Commission to ensure effective biodiversity mainstreaming and proofing across EU spending and programmes on the basis of the EU Taxonomy and the ‘do no significant harm’ principle; calls on the Commission to provide a comprehensive assessment of how the EUR 20 billion per year needed for nature could be mobilised, to make corresponding proposals for the Union’s annual budget and to examine the need for a dedicated funding instrument for TEN-N; considers that efforts should be made to reach 10 % annual spending on biodiversity under the multiannual financial framework (MFF) as soon as possible from 2021 onwards;
Amendment 977 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Highlights the need for a legally binding biodiversity governance framework, similar to the Climate Law, which steers a path to 2050 through a set of binding objectives, including targets for 2030 and the COP15 commitments, and which establishes a monitoring mechanism with smart indicators; calls on the Commission to submit a legal proposal to this end in 2022;
Amendment 978 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Highlights the need for a legally bindingnew biodiversity governance framework, similar to the Climate Law, which steers a path to 2050 through a set of binding objectives, including targets for 2030 and the COP15 commitments, and which establishes a monitoring mechanism with smart indicators; calls on the Commission to submit a legal proposal to this end in 2022;
Amendment 995 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Recalls that Article 37 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights reflects the principle of ensuring environmental protection in Union legislation; considers that the right to a healthy environment should be recognised in the EU Charter and that the Union should also advocate a similar right internationally; recalls that ownership rights must be respected;
Amendment 1014 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Commission to reinforce biodiversity within Union youth programmes such as the European Voluntary Service, and to launch a Green Erasmus programme focused on restoration and conservation; highlights the crucial role research and education play in order to empirically analyse the loss of biodiversity; stresses the need for a substantial increase in funding of public research, particularly regarding the development of research indicators to quantify biodiversity measures; reiterates its calls for a specific mission and funding dedicated to biodiversity within future research programmes;
Amendment 1025 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Highlights the importance of healthy soil for biodiversity, sustainable forest management, forest conversion and agricultural ecosystem services and takes note of existing knowledge and data gaps in the area; calls on the Commission and Member States to support further research in soil ecosystem services and to adjust relevant existing funding programmes in order to facilitate such research projects;
Amendment 1032 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Stresses that Member States should provide farmers to with financial support, training, technology and innovation in the uptake and delivery of biodiversity and environmental benefits; while considering the importance of balancing voluntary measures and regulatory action;
Amendment 1123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes that marine plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, affecting at least 267 species; notes that the Union already has taken steps to tackle plastic waste in oceans through measures as the single-use plastic directive and port reception facilities directive; calls on the Union to lead negotiations for an international agreement for plastic-free oceans by 2030; encourages the Union to increase and improve recycling and reuse of plastic waste;
Amendment 1176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Points out that protecting and preserving biodiversity will mean varied and dissimilar approaches and solutions in the Member States; underlines that each Member State has different circumstances and land use that will affect its options for action; asks the Commission to not create a one-size-fits- all-model, but instead allow each Member State to identify how they can meet the biodiversity management and conservation objectives at EU-level;
Amendment 1200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Underlines that the successful implementation of the strategy depends on the involvement of all actors and sectors; calls on the Commission to create a stakeholder platform for discussion and to ensure an inclusive, equitable and just transition; emphasises the importance of thorough and comprehensive impact assessments of the overall Strategy and any legislative action related to the Strategy;