Activities of Bronis ROPĖ related to 2020/2117(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on trade-related aspects and implications of COVID-19
Amendments (12)
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Stresses that the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of the global supply chain, notably in food and health, and the need to build regional value chains, and boost regional integration;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Recalls the principle of policy coherence for development to ensure European exports do not hinder the development of local production; calls, both at EU and non-EU level, for the prioritisation of local food production and consumption that ensure local job creation, guarantee fair prices for producers and consumers, reduce countries' dependence on imports and their vulnerability to international price fluctuations;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises the remarkable economic resilience of European agriculture; underlines its socio-economic importance as well as the high number of companies and jobs involved; stresses the importance of Europe’s agri-food production for the vitality of its rural areaall EU citizens;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls, however, that some European agri-food markets are in a highly vulnerable situation after a significant loss in sales, threatening their long-term sustainability; notes that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the wine, spirit and liqueur sectors, among others, given the drop in exports in terms of both volume and value; calls for further support to reactivate these exports and regain market sharedirect these sectors towards diversification and to reduce their reliance on export markets;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Recalls that the disruptions caused by COVID-19 highlighted the difficulty of maintaining long supply chains, and the merits of a shift towards shorter supply chains, particularly with regard to livestock sector and its reliance on long- distance transport of feed and animals; notes that, despite Commission efforts to facilitate animal transports via the use of “green lanes”, the correct implementation of the Regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport could not be assured in the rapidly evolving epidemic situation, putting animal welfare as well as driver health at risk;
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Highlights that COVID-19 posed particular difficulties for the supply chains of labour-intensive sectors such as fruit, vegetables and animal products, and that the measures to facilitate the continuation of production and trade in such circumstance must better integrate concerns for workers’ welfare, as well as their freedom of movement;
Amendment 56 #
Amendment 66 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that any EU economic stimulus plans and export support measures need to consider agriculture in view of the importance and diversity of the sector and direct the sector towards greater resilience both economically and environmentally, with focus on food sovereignty; also stresses that the review and overhaul of EU trade policy, as well as the announced reform of the World Trade Organization, must be an opportunity to better defend the European agricultural model and farmers’ interests; reiterates firmly that agriculture and agri-food products entering the European market must fully comply with EU rules and standards;
Amendment 76 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Recalls the commitment made by the Commission in its Farm to Fork Strategy to support the global transition to sustainable agri-food system, notably by striving to obtain ambitious commitments from third countries in key areas such as animal welfare, the use of pesticides and the fight against antimicrobial resistance; recalls equally its pledge to support small- scale farmers, short-supply chains, agro- ecology and conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity;
Amendment 81 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Welcomes the Commission’s commitment to make compliance with the Paris Agreement an “essential clause” of the EU trade agreements; stresses that, in order to be enforceable, the environmental objectives of the EU’s free trade agreements (FTAs), especially related to trade of agriculture products, must be clear, quantifiable, verifiable, based on robust, transparent and inclusive ex-ante sustainable impact assessments and include sanctions for non-compliance;
Amendment 87 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. Stresses the need to create strong incentives for third countries to adopt ambitious commitments in sustainable and environmental friendly food production field by meeting EU standards; Calls to introduce, where relevant, staged implementation of tariff reduction linked to the effective implementation of such provisions;
Amendment 96 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights the overall importance of a well-functioning internal market in order to enhance Europe’s export capacity andagri-food sector, food security and sovereignty, secure our producer network.