Activities of Momchil NEKOV related to 2017/2117(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Current situation and future prospects for the sheep and goat sectors in the EU (A8-0064/2018 - Esther Herranz García) BG
Amendments (53)
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas sheep- and goat-farming are low-profit-making sectors, with incomes that are among the weakest in the EU, chiefly as a result of high operating and regulatory costs, heavy administrative burdens, sometimes exceeding sales prices, causing many farmers to leave the sectors;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas sheep- and goat-breeding in Europe have seasonality, unlike some other regions of the world, which can maintain full-cycle breeding and production all year long;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas both sectors have potential for creating and preserving employment in disadvantages areas, such as remote and mountain regions;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas the sheep breeders experience difficulties in finding qualified or sometimes even unskilled labour force;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas both sectors have the potential of reversing this trend through investment in closed production circuits, which keep the added value in the same region;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas sheep- and goat-farming play an important role in ensuring environmental sustainability, being as they are present in 70% of geographically disadvantaged areas and contribute to preserving biodiversity (including through the preservation of local breeds) and combating soil erosion, the build-up of unwanted biomass, avalanches and forest and brush fires;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas sheep- and goat-breeders across the EU face similar challenges and problems without them fully being aware of that due to a lack of regular exchanges and/or platforms, which can facilitate exchange of best practices and information;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas such farms are often non- intensive and practise pastoralism making use of summer pastures, raising animals outside during the grazing and transhumance season;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas pastoralism is a traditional activity of extensive animal breeding, practiced in particular in the mountain regions, which allows the development of territories with low agronomic value, which are difficult to access or not mechanisable, to maintain an economic activity in these zones;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas the current CAP foresees support for different autochthonous breeds of sheep and goats; whereas these breeds are well adjusted to the local environment and play a substantial role in preserving biodiversity and natural balance in their habitats;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the production of goatmeat, from kids or adult cull animals, is seasonal and a by-product of milk production, controlled by a few operators, the sale price of which is not enough to remunerate farmers;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas sheep and goat production offer a significant potential for development and employment in many fragile rural and peri-urban areas, notably as regards sheep- and goatmeat and high quality dairy products able to be brought to market through short and local supply chains;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
Gb. whereas the restructuring of the slaughter industry, compliance with health regulations and the reduction in animals slaughtered associated with the reduction in farming have in many regions led to the disappearance of the economic instruments necessary for adding value and for the sustanability of local supply chains;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G c (new)
Recital G c (new)
Gc. whereas support for the sheep and goat sectors is extremely important for their sustainability, viability and attractiveness; whereas these are sectors in need of generational renewal which, owing to a lower level of capitalisation than in other farming sectors, are characterised by more human-scale farming structures and a well developed collective organisation (mutual assistance, cooperatives for the use of common equipment, establishment as companies...) and offer a favourable environment and opportunities for a new start for young people wishing to take up farming;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas some regions in the EU’s neighbourhood have been showing interest in sheep and goat products from the EU, which is an opportunity for the EU producers, unfortunately not fully used;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas the protection afforded to certain animal species under the Habitats Directive has in all regions led to increased attacks on herds of sheep and goats by wolves, bears and lynxes, thus worsening the precarious situation in which some farms find themselves;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas the protection afforded to certain animal species under the Habitats Directive has led to increased attacks on herds of sheep and goats by wolves, jackals, bears and lynxes, thus worsening the precarious situation in which some farms find themselves;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas mobile milking facilities and slaughterhouses or setting up of such facilities on the spot are important and necessary for easing the production of products of sheep and goat husbandry; whereas in some member states there are very few slaughterhouses, which hinders the development of the sectors in them;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas the electronic identification system for sheep and goats is an efficient way of ensuring the traceability of animals, but losing eartags or inadvertently failing to scan them can give rise to penalties that are sometimes disproportionate; whereas farmers also experience difficulties in implementing the current rules for identification in the case of kids;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
Recital O a (new)
Oa. whereas sheep and goats provide for a wide range of products such as meat, dairy and wool production, but they are widely used and have a vital role also in some cultural traditions such as the kukeri in Bulgaria and capra in Romania, among others;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O b (new)
Recital O b (new)
Ob. whereas sheep- and goat-meat products often lack the end-product variety as compared to other types of meat, which makes them less attractive and subsequently less sought after by the consumers;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O c (new)
Recital O c (new)
Oc. whereas sheep and goat breeders often lack the necessary marketing and sales skills necessary for placing their products on the market in an attractive manner;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O d (new)
Recital O d (new)
Od. whereas some member states still lack legislation allowing the use of raw milk for production of dairy products, which are scientifically proven by laboratory tests to be safe for human consumption;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O e (new)
Recital O e (new)
Oe. whereas the member states can implement the optional quality term “mountain product” as foreseen in Regulation 1151/2012 and further developed in Delegated Regulation 665/2014 as a tool of giving better visibility to products of sheep and goat husbandry originating in mountain regions;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O f (new)
Recital O f (new)
Of. whereas the EU quality schemes, and particularly the PGI and PDO, provide tools for giving more visibility and thus higher chances for market realisation of products of sheep and goat husbandry;
Amendment 127 #
Og. whereas there is lack of transfer of knowledge between generations, which causes an obstacle for the smooth functioning of the two sectors;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O h (new)
Recital O h (new)
Oh. whereas some member states lack structural policies for the development of either or both sectors, which is an obstacle for their development; whereas such policies could include recommendations for various stages such as breeding (breed selection, ram production etc.), as well as market realisation;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to step up support for innovation and the promotion of sheep- and goatmeat and dairy products in the internal market, emphasising not only traditional products, but also newer cuts marketed to younger consumers;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Invites the Commission to create the conditions for the development of ewe’s and goat’s milk sector, allowing for the greatest possible added value in farms, by means of high quality policies favouring the production of milk products in farms, marketed primarily through short or local supply chains; in this connection, it is important that the Commission ensure better implementation of hygiene rules in all the Member States, notably using the ‘Guide for Good Hygiene Practices in artisanal cheese production’ drawn up by farmers from FACE in collaboration with the Commission;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Commission to set up an online platform focused on sheep and goat sectors with main purpose of exchange of good practices and data about the sectors from the member states;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Commends the Commission on its intention to set up a dedicated budget line for those products in the next promotion campaigns co-financed by the Union, and advocates the need to include goat and ewe’s milk as well as wool among the beneficiary products;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Supports maintaining or, where possible, increasing coupled aid for sheep- and goat-farming and the other respective measures targeted at both sectors in the forthcoming reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with a view to arresting the drain of farmers from these sectors in the EU, in view of the high rate of dependence of sheep- and goat-farmers on direct payments;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. urges the Commission to consider additional tools and instruments, which can help the sectors face crises, meet global challenges and provide for sustainable development for the sectors;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes it necessary to offer greater support to young people, via both direct aid and rural development policy, which may be supplemented by national financial support and in accordance with national legislation (on inheritance, access to land, taxation, training, social protection, etc.), given the high average age of workers in the livestock-raising sectors, exceeding even that in other sectors of agricultural professions; duction;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Draws attention to the lack of water in many sheep- and goat-farming regions, particularly those in the Mediterranean area, a situation which will only worsen with global warming; stresses, therefore, the need to ensure better management of water resources through adapted facilities, taking into account the distribution of rainfall over the year and sustainability;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the member states to put in place trainings for representatives in the sector on how to valorise the products, so that they can be competitive to other meat and dairy products;
Amendment 260 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes it necessary to improve the bargaining power of producers in the food chain, extending rules on contractual relations for the sheep- and goat-farming, and for meat products as well as milk products, by establishing producer and interbranch organisations similar to those existing in other crop and livestock sectors, in line with the agreement reached as part of the Omnibus Regulation;
Amendment 267 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Considers it necessary to have crisis prevention and management instruments for the sheep and goat sectors in order to limit price volatility and ensure a fair return for producers and an environment conducive to investment and the taking over of farms by young people;
Amendment 274 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Calls for the establishment of precise indicators to be able to monitor more closely the production and consumption of, and trade in, goatmeat, with a distinction being made between adult animals and kids;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Urges the Commission to exercise caution in negotiating the new free-trade agreement with New Zealand and Australia, pending its analysis of the impact of Brexit on the EU sheep-farming sector; takes the view that this new agreement should split New Zealand’s and Australia’s quota for lamb meat exports into the EU so as to separate fresh or chilled and frozen meat;
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for consideration to be given to the precarious situation of sheep and goat farmers when entering into further trade agreements with third countries, by including their products among sensitive sectors, and or excluding them from the negotiations so as to exclude any provisions that might compromise the European model of production in any way, and to the local or regional economy;
Amendment 309 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls the Commission to prepare reports about the possible target markets for the EU goat and sheep meat and dairy products;
Amendment 322 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls for support for EU-wide promotional events such as festivals and other similar annual events dedicated to the sheep and goat sectors as a tool for increasing public awareness about the benefits from the sectors for the EU, the environment and its citizens;
Amendment 342 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Invites the Commission and Member States to consider rural development measures to protect herds from attack from predators, to compensate farmers for losses caused by predator attacks and to look into reviewing the Habitats Directive, with the aim of controlling the spread of predators in certain grazing areas;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Stresses that attacks on herds by wolves and non-protected wolf-dog hybrids are on the rise despite the mobilisation of ever-greater resources which are increasingly costly for farmers and communities; stresses that the limits of the measures recommended and implemented to protect herds are now becoming apparent as the number of animals lost rises substantially; points out that this ineffectiveness is now calling into question the future of environmentally-friendly modes of farming, such as pastoralism, as some farmers are starting to confine their animals, which in due course will lead not only to the abandonment of very extensive areas, generating huge fire and avalanche risks, but will also shift farms towards more intensive forms of agriculture;
Amendment 365 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Urges the European Commission to draft guidelines for good practices of marketing products from the sheep and goat sectors, which can then be distributed to the member states and the professional organisations;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to pay greater attention to the diversity of genetic resources in the sheep and goat sectors, given their importance for productivity (fertility, prolificity, etc.), product quality and the adaptation of animals to their environment, and stresses that in this connection the preservation of local and hardy breeds should be taken into account in animal breeding plans;
Amendment 372 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Calls on the member states to demonstrate flexibility in applying the existing EU legislation for example by allowing production of products from raw milk and the integration of mobile facilities for slaughtering, freezing and processing meat and dairy products;
Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Encourages more member states to implement the optional quality term “mountain product” as foreseen in the current EU legislation, which is an instrument for better product visibility and more informed choice for the consumers;
Amendment 382 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Considers it necessary to facilitate innovation (farming practices, new products, etc.), but also advice and initial and ongoing training in the sheep and goat sectors;
Amendment 383 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 d (new)
Paragraph 14 d (new)
14d. Calls on the Commission not to ban the use of certain hormones used for out-of-season breeding, which are imported from third countries and are likely to cause animal welfare problems, until alternatives to out-of-season breeding have been found (light-based treatment, ‘male’ effect, etc.);
Amendment 384 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 d (new)
Paragraph 14 d (new)
14d. Urges the member states to put in place the EU quality scheme, especially the PDO and PGI as tools for increasing visibility of products of the goat and sheep sectors;
Amendment 385 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 e (new)
Paragraph 14 e (new)
14e. Encourages the authorities in member states with proven interest in the sectors from the professional organisations to draw up mid- and long- term strategies for the development of the sectors with suggestions on how to improve breed selection and market realisation for the products from the sheep and goat sectors;