Activities of Tilly METZ related to 2023/2015(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
European protein strategy (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT European protein strategy
Amendments (57)
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the EU imports substantial amounts of protein feed, (17 million tonnes of crude protein feed in 2022-2023 or 23.6% of the EU’s total crude protein feed use, according to the Commission’s Feed Protein Balance Sheet1a), much of which is soy-based imports, notably from Brazil, Argentina and the USA; _________________ 1a https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/data- and-analysis/markets/overviews/balance- sheets-sector/oilseeds-and-protein- crops_en
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas a shift toward extensive, sustainable and pasture-based animal farming systems, coupled with a substantial reduction in animal proteins consumption, is part of the transition to more sustainable food systems;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the processing of protein crops and grasslands generates by-products that can contribute to a circular economymust be dealt with in a circular economy; whereas the waste hierarchy prioritises prevention of waste, which should be done early in the supply chain and ideally including at primary production level;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the market for plant-based and alternative sources of protein is steadily increasing due to consumer demand; whereas plant-based proteins already enjoy high consumer acceptance and technological maturity;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas sustainable organic aquaculture has a crucial role in global food security and nutrition; whereas EU consumption of marine protein is unsustainably high;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas cell-based agriculture and seafood farming are promising and innovative solutionsthe development of novel proteins may propose innovative solutions to environmental and animal welfare impacts, but has as-of-yet uncertain impacts in terms of energy, water, land use, and the development of rural areas, as well as requiring new feedstocks and inputs itself;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas interest in insects for human and animal consumption is growing, despite a lack of scientific knowledge surrounding all aspects of insect farming, including behavioural and welfare needs of insects;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas research and innovation on, inclusive of farmers, on sustainable plant proteins needs to be scaled up;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas although the 1992 Blair House Agreement on proteins is still in force, it is de facto obsolete as it no longer reflects present-day realities; whereas WTO exemption clauses exist for socially and environmentally beneficial support measures;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the Commission to urgently present a comprehensive and ambitious EU protein strategy introducing effective measures to increase the EU’s production of plant protein in the short, medium and long term, with the primary aim of ensuring a sustainable EU production of plant proteins for EU consumption;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point 1
Paragraph 2 – point 1
1. A vision for increasedan EU protein production that fits the needs and demands of the EU population, within the boundaries of our ecosystems;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point 2
Paragraph 2 – point 2
2. Better supply chains conditions for protein production in the EU and coherent incentives within the CAP and promotional policy;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point 3
Paragraph 2 – point 3
3. The development of plant-based and sustainable alternative protein for food and feed;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point 3 a (new)
Paragraph 2 – point 3 a (new)
3a. A shift away from intensive animal protein production systems towards extensive, sustainable and pasture-based animal farming systems with high animal welfare standards;
Amendment 273 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that, from a geopolitical and strategic perspective, as well as to ensure food security dependencies on a single or few suppliers must be reduced and concentration of markets to few key players must be avoided;
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights that protein production must be recognised as a crucial aspect of the EU food system, while acknowledging that a single focus on protein production is detrimental to the holistic approach needed for sustainable and resilient food systems;
Amendment 318 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that developing the sustainable production of plant and alternative sources of protein in the EU is an effective way of addressing many of the environmental and climate challenges that the EU faces; notes in particular the importance of supporting the relocalisation of the production of plant protein in the EU with a view to climate change mitigation, as this would shorten transport distances and limit deforestation;
Amendment 337 #
6a. Recalls that reducing EU production and consumption of farmed animals, particularly those farmed in intensive feed-based systems, would reduce the heavy dependence on plant proteins for feed; notes that increased job creation and comparable profitability with reduced herds can be achieved for herbivore animal farming by switching to pasture based grazing, allowing to cut input costs;
Amendment 354 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 364 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights that a competitive agriculturen effective protein production sector is dependent on sustainable inputs such as feed additives, goodappropriate plant material, fertilisers and healthy soils;
Amendment 372 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises the importance ofrole some feed additives formay play in reducing emissions, for improving protein consumption and for ensuring correct feeding strategies ; warns that the negative consequences of methane-reducing feed additives on animal welfare are understudied and risk leading to poor animal welfare, while still falling short on the needed methande reformulation of feedduction targets;
Amendment 374 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls that it will be impossible to increase the production of plant-based protein without good-quality plant materials; underlines the importance of seed security and diversity, to deliver locally-sourced food and feed with high nutritional value; notes the urgent need to provide farmers with access to quality seeds for protein plant varieties adapted to the pressures of climate change and low- input farming systems, including traditional and locally-adapted varieties, genetically heterogeneous and locally adapted heirloom seeds; recalls that plant protein content is influenced by environmental factors and therefore resilience to climate change will be key;
Amendment 379 #
11a. Points out that gene-edited plants are patented and should therefore be avoided as they would further contribute to market concentration in seed and plant production, and the increase of input costs;
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission to propose medium- and long-term policy measures to close the nutrient loop, such as enabling the use of recovered nitrogen from manure (RENURE) products within the current framework of the Nitrate Directive and Water Directive;
Amendment 400 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recalls that thewaste-based production of biomethane, biogas, biofuels or other bio- based chemicals that use biowaste streams is a source of important revenue to enhance and capture the value of protein- rich crops and strengthen their business case for farmers; underlines that cultivating crops for the sole purpose of bioenergy production is a threat to EU food security;
Amendment 435 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Highlights the big potential of plant-based protein and the fact that the environmentally and socially sustainable development of the sector will benefit European farmers, soil quality, biodiversity, the climate and human health;
Amendment 442 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Considers that the next protein strategy should put a special focus on leguminous crops, which can provide home-grown food and feed, replace or reduce fertiliser use by fixing nitrogen, and decrease pressure on animal feed and production costs; emphasises that the introduction of more leguminous plants in farmers’ production systems should go hand in hand with the development of new fair value chains for these crops;
Amendment 444 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses the importance of grasslands as a protein source; highlights the relevance of projects that extract high- quality protein points out that extensive permanent grassland-based animal farming provides diets adapted to the animals’ natural needs, and that especially in contrast well as biomethanol from grasslands through biorefiningith intensive animal agriculture, they can have positive effects on the environment and against climate change, and contribute to a circular economy;
Amendment 458 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Is of the opinion that aquaculture is an important protein producer and that the use of algae as a feed additiv, though its production in the EU remains reliant on imported inputs such as fishmeal and fish oil; calls for shifting aquaculture towards farming of species at lower trophic level, non-carniverous and extensively reared; notes the interest in algae ias a promising way of reducing emissions from livestock; food, but recalls that the impact of cultivating and harvesting on biodiversity must be minimised; considers that the use of algae as a feed additive could be a way of reducing emissions from livestock, but remains geared towards intensive systems;
Amendment 464 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Considers it essential to halt the industrialisation of cephalopod production, given the need to counter the intensification of animal production not only for animal welfare reasons, but also to ensure that the Union’s food system is aligning itself with the agreed environmental goals; highlights that, as alerted by the scientific community, particularly in response to recent plans to open the first octopus farm, these animals are extremely intelligent and sensitive creatures whose welfare would be severely harmed by such keeping conditions;
Amendment 487 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Considers that innovative cell- based food can help increase protein production and support agriculture;
Amendment 494 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 509 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Highlights that insects farmed to feed other animals introduce an extra trophic level to the food system whose added sustainability value is, as yet, unproven;
Amendment 511 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Is of the opinion that authorisations made solely through novel food legislation should be based on the safety of the product, but that the impact of the process on human health and the environment must be considered, in line with the precautionary principle; highlights that a One Health approach must be followed with regard to the development and licensing of novel protein production, which integrates not only food safety but animal welfare, pathogen risk and environmental impact;
Amendment 530 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines that policies must create a level playing field between all stakeholders and products and that protein consumption and production must be more sustainable;
Amendment 535 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls for more research and development into plant-based and alternative proteins and their impact based on a One Health approach;
Amendment 554 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Underlines that improved coordination and collaboration between the supply chain’s stakeholders is needed to bridge the current gaps between farmers, processors and retailers; notes that further legal requirements on buyers, processors and retailers might be needed to foster the development of new sustainable protein value chains;
Amendment 570 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Reiterates the farm to fork strategy’s target of reducing food waste by 50 %, which could be partly reached through a more circular agriculture sector and the promotion of short food supply chains;
Amendment 573 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Stresses that animal welfare, including for insects and in aquaculture, must be considered within the scope of the European Protein Strategy.
Amendment 579 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Highlights that protein production in the EU will not increase if there is no market-driven demand for it, as well as public support;
Amendment 585 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Recognises that the production of renewable energy is currently linked to the production of protein; underlines however that crop-based biofuels are competing with the uses as food or feed of these same crops, including for protein plants;
Amendment 592 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Believes that public procurement and promotion policies should be used in a better way to incentivise more sustainable protein production and consumption;
Amendment 601 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Stresses that action at all levels is needed in order to increase sustainable EU protein production;
Amendment 609 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Recalls the need to promote effective agricultural knowledge and innovation systems as well as knowledge sharing and training;
Amendment 616 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point i
Paragraph 32 – point i
i. A feed additive regulation that promotes stability and innovation in the production of feed additives, while not allowing their use until the impacts on animal welfare have been thoroughly studied;
Amendment 631 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point ii
Paragraph 32 – point ii
ii. Novel food legislation that simplifies and speeds up authorisation processestreamlines authorisation processes, while fully respecting the precautionary principle;
Amendment 636 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point iii a (new)
Paragraph 32 – point iii a (new)
iiia. Improved monitoring of food waste across the EU, in particular waste generated at farm level;
Amendment 637 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point iii b (new)
Paragraph 32 – point iii b (new)
iiib. Priority to the reduction of food waste in the upcoming initiatives on marketing standards;
Amendment 642 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point iv
Paragraph 32 – point iv
iv. A renewable energy directive that allows for the long-term and stable regulation of biofuel production and removes incentives to take land out of food production;
Amendment 646 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point v
Paragraph 32 – point v
v. An energy taxation directive that provides clear and long-term rules for all bio-based fuels; , temporary suspension measures for the production and blending of crop-based biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels in order to secure additional food supplies, stabilise global food commodity markets and phase out crop-based biofuels, not including advanced biofuels, by 2030;
Amendment 652 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point vi
Paragraph 32 – point vi
vi. A regulation on new genomic techniques that allows new breeding techniques to be adoptedrespects the precautionary principle and the need to ensure transparency and freedom of choice to farmers, processors and consumers, including risk assessments, comprehensive requirements concerning traceability and labelling with a view to providing consumers with relevant information;
Amendment 682 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point ix
Paragraph 32 – point ix
ix. A front-of-pack label regulation that compares the carbon footprint of food and similar requirements for feed;
Amendment 688 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point xii a (new)
Paragraph 32 – point xii a (new)
xiia. A revision of public procurement legislation with a view to introducing or reinforcing minimum mandatory criteria for kindergartens and schools, other public institutions and private companies delivering public services so as to encourage notably a higher consumption of sustainably produced plant proteins, as well as the reduction of food waste in line with the principles of the circular economy;
Amendment 689 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point xii b (new)
Paragraph 32 – point xii b (new)
Amendment 690 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point xii c (new)
Paragraph 32 – point xii c (new)
xiic. Guidelines to Member States on the use of reduced VAT rates to incentivise the uptake of foods with a lower carbon footprint and fewer externalised costs, including plant protein;
Amendment 702 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point xiii a (new)
Paragraph 32 – point xiii a (new)
xiiia. An EU-wide transformation plan for the animal protein production sector, providing clear and ambitious measures to shift away from intensive animal farming systems and fostering the development of extensive, sustainable and pasture-based animal farming systems, backed by a trade policy geared towards collectively raising standards in this respect, to ensure a level-playing field with imported animal products;