Activities of Thomas WAITZ related to 2023/2001(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
Amendments (15)
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is one of the mostre inclusive and sustainable trade deals ever signed;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the agricultural sector and the trade in agricultural goods are at the same time suffering from and significantly contributing to the climate crisis;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the EU has an existing surplus of meat and dairy production, and the intensive production in these sectors causes considerable environmental damage;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with satisfaction the considerable increase in bilateral trade in food and agricultural products between the EU and Canada and the 26 % increase in exports of EU agricultural products to Canada since the start of the provisional application of CETA;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the importance of recognising the system of geographical indications (GIs) as a key component of the agreement; underlines the need for further effective enforcement of GI protection for EU rights holders in CanadaGI producers in Canada; recalls that a differing level of protection of GI foodstuffs' translated names can arise depending on their process of registration, therefore leading to coexistence of comparable products with a translated name of the GI foodstuff;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with concern that the existing Canadian tariff rate quota (TRQ) management system is undermining the competitiveness of EU dairy producersaims to provide fair prices for Canadian dairy producers through market regulation; notes with concern that the lack of cost coverage is undermining the livelihoods of the Union dairy producers; notes that, in contrast, milk prices within the EU are often below the production costs, and urges the Commission to examine the Canadian model and to seek stronger market regulation; urges the Commission to keep up its efforts with the Canadian authorities to increase the transparency of how the operation of its TRQ system is monitored;
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the series of joint initiatives within the framework of the EU- Canada dialogue on sustainability, environmental stewardship and climate action in agriculture; stresses the importance of increased sharing of best practices in the fields of agricultural productivity, organic farming, animal welfare, carbon sequestration, soil health and protection of natural environments and invites the Commission to pursue these exchanges in the future.; calls on the Commission to examine the possibility of updating the dialogue in line with the latest review; calls for the ex-post evaluation of the agreement to also examine the extent to which CETA is compatible with the Farm to Fork Strategy;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes with concern that Canada frequently uses pesticides, including neonicotinoides, that have been banned in the EU due to their toxicity and/or impact on pollinators and environment, and that products containing residues thereof could enter the EU despite the ban on their use in the Union; highlights that it is also appropriate for the EU to require, under WTO rules, that imported agricultural products comply with certain production requirements to ensure the effectiveness of EU health protection, animal welfare, environmental and biodiversity protection standards applicable to the Union agricultural products;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Notes with concern that the Union’s imports of fertilizers from Canada have increased by 225% between 2017 and 2022, which is contrary to the EU’s goal of achieving autonomy in fertilizing products and improved soil health;
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Notes with concern Canada’s repeated attempts to undermine the EU’s precautionary principle, as seen for example in its contestation before the WTO, as shown during the fifth meeting of the joint management committee on SPS measures; calls on the Commission to prevent any weakening of this basic principle enshrined in the treaties and protecting European farmers and citizens;
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Calls on the parties to ensure better integration of small-scale farmers and consumers in Domestic Advisory Groups in the context of the renewal of these groups;
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 e (new)
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5e. Regrets the lack of improvement in the field of animal welfare in the EU, as well as in Canada, and calls on the parties to take decisive steps to overcome these shortcomings; regrets the lack of attention given to safeguards for animal welfare standards in CETA, as well as the lack of mirror clauses in this area, which could lead to an uneven playing field for animal welfare standards, particularly in the light of the upcoming EU animal welfare review;
Amendment 53 #
5f. Recalls the 41% increase in greenhouse gas emissions from Canadian agriculture since 1990 and the stagnation of reductions in Union agricultural emissions since 2000; in this context, calls on the Commission to ensure that agriculture and agri-trade contribute to significant reduction in emissions;
Amendment 54 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 g (new)
Paragraph 5 g (new)
5g. Notes with concern that the control and traceability system for hormone treated beef holds various flaws and that measures and recommendations resulting from audits have not or not effectively been implemented; urges the Commission to increase efforts with the Canadian authorities towards remedying these shortcomings;
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 h (new)
Paragraph 5 h (new)