Activities of Pernille WEISS related to 2020/2273(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives (debate)
Amendments (55)
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission Communication of 11 October 2018 on a sustainable Bioeconomy for Europe: strengthening the connection between economy, society and the environment (COM/2018/673);
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 is one of the key initiatives of the European Green Deal, which aims at making the EU’s economy sustainable and climate-neutral by 2050, protecting, conserving and sustainably using biodiversity, improving the health of citizens and ensuring the sustainability, circularity and inclusiveness of our economy;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Farm to Fork Strategy together with other policies such as the upcoming Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy, and the Cohesion Policy, within their respective legal frameworks, as well as the Circular Economy Action Plan will shape the change to protect nature and conserve habitats and species;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas the successful implementation of the Strategy requires an effective cooperation at EU and Member States level including civil society, public authorities and business, in particular stakeholders specifically affected by the measures foreseen in the Strategy, especially in the agriculture, fisheries, forestry and extractive sectors;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems have potential direct and indirect economic benefits for most sectors of the economy; whereas all businesses depend on natural capital assets and ecosystem services either directly or indirectly, including through their supply chains; whereas an improved biodiversity policy with effective measures has the potential to strengthen the competitiveness of the economy and industry and to open new job and economic opportunities, for instance in the fields of environmental technology, bio-economy, tourism and recreation, nature conservation and the provision of ecosystem services;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and its level of ambitionthe ambition to reverse biodiversity loss by ensuring that by 2050 all of the world’s ecosystems are conserved, resilient and adequately protected;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Points out that numerous protected areas and habitats only emerged through human use; stresses that for the preservation of these protected areas and habitats further management is essential;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Calls on the Commission to establish regular evidence-based evaluations of the implementation of the Strategy, in order to adjust the measures and targets to a more restraint or ambitious approach; stresses the importance of appropriate target-related measures taking into account active market demand; calls on the Commission to submit mid-term reviews for every legislative proposal corresponding to the strategy;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 e (new)
Paragraph 1 e (new)
1e. Stresses that biodiversity is also crucial for safeguarding food security in the EU; highlights the important role of the European agricultural sector regarding the production of healthy, safe and affordable foods;
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. 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, clean water, water holding capacities, healthy soil and wood and non-wood raw materials;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Points out that achieving the EU´s goals for the environment, climate and biodiversity will never be possible without forests that are multifunctional, healthy and sustainably and managed applying a long-term perspective, together with viable forest-based industries;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. 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 242 #
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 these should be binding and implemented by Member States in accordance with science-based criteria and biodiversity needs after agreeing on definitions of central concepts such as “protected” and “strictly protected” in consultation with relevant stakeholders and Member States.; emphasizes the importance of location-specific conservation objectives and measures as basis for the future management; underlines that in addition to increasing protected areas, the quality of protected areas should be ensured and clear conservation plans implemented;
Amendment 248 #
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 these should be binding and implemented by Member States in accordance with science-based criteria and biodiversity needs taking into account the national and local circumstances, voluntary approaches, and internationally recognized definitions to ensure consistency of collected data; underlines that in addition to increasing protected areas, the quality of protected areas should be ensured and clear conservation plans implemented; calls for appropriate compensation in case of management;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses the importance of healthy and resilient forest ecosystems, which fulfil multiple functions, and of the protection of remaining primary forests;
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Deplores the content of the Commission's 'Draft technical note on criteria and guidance for protected areas designations"; regrets that fishing and hunting activities, are not compatible with the targets of the EU Biodiversity Strategy; believes that the recommendation for the Member States to exclude hunting and fishing activities is a disproportionate act and should be revised; calls on the Commission, together with the Member States, to revise its recommendations for the ‘Criteria for the identification of areas under strict protection’;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. 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 309 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Strongly supports ‘strictly protected areas’ that, in a controlled manner, allow activities such as fishing, hunting, and tourism; is of the opinion that human beings and nature are inseparable and should be considered as allied in preserving fauna and flora in order to deliver the targets of the EU Biodiversity Strategy in 2030; underlines that especially families’ access to the nature is the very foundation to teach children about the nature and the importance of biodiversity; reminds the Commission that nature-related activities in forests and coastal areas are central elements in our shared cultural heritage and thus our ‘European Way of Life’;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. 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 319 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. Strongly deplores that the Commission's draft technical note on criteria and guidance for protected areas designations defines fishing and hunting activities as ‘extractive activities’ similarly to mining activities; believes that mining activities and fishing and hunting activities cannot be compared;
Amendment 323 #
4e. Underlines that awareness of the values of a diverse nature, recreational access and the use of nature are important prerequisites for public support and assistance to the promotion and success of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030; considers that recreational activities such as training, hiking, fauna watching, sustainable collection of food items, sustainable recreational fishing and hunting should be supported, also in future strictly protected areas, in a controlled manner, as part of the implementation of the strategy;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes 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 for the dual purposes of biodiversity restoration and climate change mitigation and adaptation; stresses that after restoration, no ecosystem degradation should be allowed; strongly believes that innovation is a key part of the solution to tackle the decline in biodiversity; calls for an enabling regulatory environment and incentives to facilitate market access and uptake of innovative technologies;
Amendment 365 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Highlights that specific national conditions as well as measures already in place in the individual Member States have to be taken into account with regard to the accomplishment of the EU-level targets mentioned in the Strategy in terrestrial and marine areas;
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Stresses that the protection targets and associated measures should take into account the precise conditions and opportunities of each country;
Amendment 380 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Stresses the need for cooperation with all users at all stages and appropriate compensation for restrictions in protected and strictly protected areas;
Amendment 384 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Underlines that the network of well-managed protected areas should be based on the Natura2000 network and should be complemented by additional protected areas designations by Member States on the basis binding legal requirements; stresses that the verification of the targets is only possible if the underlying data is comparable;
Amendment 386 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5e. Calls for the development of definitions and criteria for the designation of “protected areas” as well as “strictly protected areas”; highlights in this respect that in protected areas sustainable agriculture and forestry could be performed and in areas with a stricter level of protection certain human activities may be allowed, which are essential to maintain cultural landscapes and which stand in line with the conservation objectives of the protected area;
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 f (new)
Paragraph 5 f (new)
5f. Highlights the success of the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive as effective instruments 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 or if birds cause significant impairment, and allow for changes in conservation status;
Amendment 427 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights that soil biodiversity is the basis for key ecological processes; notes with concern the increased soil degradation and the lack of specific EU legislation; calls on the Commission to submit a legislative proposal for the, soil sealing and the decline in European agricultural area and therefore calls on the Commission to establishment of a common framework for the protection and sustainable use of soil that includes a specific , conservation and restoration of soil quality; recalls the need to provide for specific indicators and an EU-wide contamination targetmparable measuring system; highlights that soil fertility and soil structure are crucial to promote high-quality standards in the European agricultural food sector;
Amendment 463 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that the EU has committed to achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030, but that this target is unlikely to be achieved; sees forestry as a demonstrator for a green infrastructure that provides indispensable ecosystem services for people, nature and the economy and delivers the preconditions for a smart green and regional economy; calls on the Commission, therefore, to present an EU- level strategy on desertification and land degradation;
Amendment 486 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission to set specific ambitious targets on urban biodiversity corresponding to the reduction targets stated in the Strategy, 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 496 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Highlights the importance of systematically integrating green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in urban planning, including in public spaces, public infrastructure, and the design of buildings and their surroundings to reduce soil sealing;
Amendment 499 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Highlights the importance of maintaining and restoring high-diversity landscape features, extensive farmland as well as sloping and terraced vineyards 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 Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plans to promote non-productive areas and features, extensive farmland as well as sloping and terraced vineyards; points out that extensively managed farmland and the cultivation of vines on slopes or terraces with drystone walls need to be taken into account as high-diversity landscape as those unique habitats can only be preserved if they are cultivated;
Amendment 525 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Expresses its support for 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, by introducing a targeted corridor whereby considering actual market demand; highlights that all targets which should both be incorporated into EU legislation; considers it imperative that farmers receive continuous support and training in the transition towards agroecological practices;
Amendment 539 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Highlights that the efficient uptake of nutrients by plants simultaneously reduces losses to the environment and supports the target of reducing nutrient loss; calls for the promotion of optimizing plant nutrition by enhancing nutrient use efficiency; supports therefore the approach of precision and smart farming, plant nutrition advisory services and management support;
Amendment 549 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Stresses the need to come up with suitable alternatives were restrictions are put in place, to ensure that farmers have access to a proper toolbox of safe, effective and affordable solutions to protect their crops and plants, as well as access to the latest knowledge, technology and the best advisory services;
Amendment 610 #
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; cCalls on the Commission to avoid future marine renewable energy developments and bottom-trawling fishing within Marine Protected Areas;
Amendment 642 #
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 Strategy; 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 intoa stand-alone, holistic and a coherence enabler for forest-related policies, including the Climate Law and the Biodiversity Strategy; urges the Commission to address the forest-specific measures of the European Green Deal in the Standing Forestry Committee with a strong mandate from the EU Forest Strategy; 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;
Amendment 671 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that the Union’s tree planting initiatives should be based on proforestation, the multifunctionality of forests, sustainable reforestation and the greening of urban areas; calls on the Commission to ensure that these initiatives are carried out only in a manner compatible with and conducive to the biodiversity objectiveeconomic, social and ecological, including climate change and the biodiversity objectives related to Europe's forests;
Amendment 698 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to urgently present a proposal for an EU legal framework based on mandatory due diligence for large undertakings that ensures sustainable and deforestation-free value chainvalue chains, taking into account the heterogeneous conditions in the Member States;
Amendment 722 #
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 solutionsustainable management of all resources in meeting climate mitigation goals and in adaptation strategies and to increase the protection of natural carbon sinks in the EUmaintain and strengthen carbon sinks in the EU in line with the objectives and practices supported in the upcoming Common Agricultural Policy;
Amendment 748 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to prepare a long-term EU action plan on climate and biodiversity that improves coherence and, interconnections and sustainable business models for future actions, and integrates commitments under the post- 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 774 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes 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 los and nutrient losses deriving from all nutrient sources such as mineral and organic fertilisers 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 health and environmental reasons; stresses that urban areas and civil society, public authorities and business are equally affected by the reduction targets; recalls that these targets can only be achieved by ensuring support measures at farm level such as farm nutrition advisory services and by innovative farming solutions like precision farming both in line with the upcoming Common Agricultural Policy;
Amendment 795 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Welcomes the decision to revise the directive on the sustainable use of pesticides and the reduction targets for pesticides and nutrient losses; emphasises the importance of holistic and circular approaches, such as agro ecological practices; insists that each Member State should establish robust measures to reduce the need for pesticides and fertilisers, accompanied by well-defined support ensuring accountability at all levels to help reach these objectives; reiterates its call for the translation into legislation of the above objectives and calls on the Commission to clarify how it will deal with individual Member States’ contributions to Union-wide targets and to clarify the baselines for these targets;
Amendment 916 #
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; underlines the importance of research for innovation and a technology neutral framework; 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 946 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Commission to provide an assessment of all subsidies harmful to the environment with a view to their phasing out by 2030 at the latest; reiterates its calls for the reorientation of taxation; reiterates its call towards financially incentivised syustems towardainable measures ain lincreased use of environmental taxatione with the upcoming Common Agricultural Policy;
Amendment 1010 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 10
Subheading 10
Research and, education and innovation
Amendment 1029 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Stresses that Member States should enable farmers to have financial support, training, technology, innovation and the development of new business models in the uptake and delivery of biodiversity and environmental benefits; while considering the importance of balancing voluntary measures and regulatory action;
Amendment 1041 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Calls on the Commission to especially enable and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to contribute to the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030; acknowledges that SMEs are a valuable source and contributor to a sustainable biodiversity path driven by green and digital innovation;
Amendment 1098 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Reiterates its call forto reduce wildlife trade and consumption and to protect wildlife and key ecosystems globally including a full ban on the trade in both raw and worked ivory to, from and within the EU, including ‘pre- convention’ ivory and rhino horns, and asks for similar restrictions for other endangered species, such as tigers;
Amendment 1166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. UEmphasizes the importance of impact assessments of any legally binding actions suggested in the strategy including an assessment of the proportionality in relation to means and goals and costs; urges Member States to fully comply with the obligations set out in existing EU nature legislation and calls on the Commission to swiftly pursue infringement procedures to remedy all cases of non- compliance and to allocate sufficient resources in order to overcome the current delays;
Amendment 1205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Underlines that the successful implementation of the strategy depends on the direct involvement of all actors and sectors; supplementary calls on the Commission to create a stakeholder platform for discussion and to ensure an inclusive, equitable and just transition;
Amendment 1213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Underlines the need to create incentives for all actors and sectors to advance a transformative biodiversity agenda;