64 Amendments of Asger CHRISTENSEN related to 2020/2273(INI)
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution on the new EU Forest Strategy of 8 October 20201a, _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P9_TA(2020)0257
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that agricultural productivity and resilience depend on biodiversity to guarantee the long-term sustainability of our food systems; underlines, furthermore, that much of the biodiversity across Europe has been created by farming and forestry and its survival is dependent on the continued active management of farmland; highlights the fact that sustainable and effective management of natural resources is of the utmost importance for maintaining biodiversity and combating climate change; therefore believes implementation should focus on profitable measures;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 15 November 2017 on an Action Plan for nature, people and the economy1a, _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0441
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the high level of ambition of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 in seeking to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in the EU; reminds that effective implementation of the strategy calls also for economic and social aspects to be recognized in a more balanced way; considers that this level of ambition encourages policy action at all levels and promotes the development of research and innovative solutions to tackle biodiversity loss; stresses that the continuous decline in farmland biodiversity is a reality and that bold action is needed to counteract this trend; underlines that prior to expanding the cover of protected areas across Europe a holistic and in-depth evaluation of the effectiveness of current protected land areas is crucial;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission report of 2 October 2015 on the mid-term review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (COM/2015/0478),
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the high level of ambition of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 in seeking to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in the EU; considers that this level of ambition encourages policy action at all levels and promotes the development of research and innovative solutions to tackle biodiversity loss; stresses that the continuous decline in farmland biodiversity is a reality and that bold action is needed to counteract this trend, carefully balancing voluntary and legislative measures;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas key ecosystems deliver numerous services essential to food and agriculture, including supply of freshwater, protection against hazards and provision of habitats for species such as fish and pollinators, which are declining at a sharp rate;
Amendment 71 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises the strong link with the Farm to Fork strategy, the Forest strategy and the Bioeconomy strategy and the need for a holistic approach to the food system and to the forest value chains, keeping in mind all three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic and social); calls on the Commission to establish an evidence-based evaluation of the implementation of the Biodiversity strategy’s measures and targets, in particular of the individual and cumulative impacts on the social and economic sustainability of agriculture and forest based sector in the EU, food security and prices, and the potential risks of displacing biodiversity losses abroad by the replacement of local agricultural production with imports; as well as impacts on the wood availability, innovation, competitiveness, resilience and autonomy, including the potential leakage effects of the bioeconomy if the implementation restricts the sustainable usage of natural resources inside EU and which could increase the use of fossil raw-materials;
Amendment 100 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Emphasises the importance of thorough and comprehensive impact assessments for any implementation actions related to the Biodiversity Strategy; calls on the acknowledgement of the subsidiarity and proportionality of the implementation measures which should avoid any unnecessary administrative burden; reminds that the consideration of specific national conditions as well as measures already taken by Member States have to be taken into account;
Amendment 102 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that biodiversity conservation is a key societal goal, requiring a broad and inclusive debate, and the effective participation of everyone in society, in particular those more affected by the measures, such as the farming community, landowners, and the forest based sector, while at the same benefiting from their knowledge and experience, avoiding top-down measures; and creating a sense of ownership, vital for the successful implementation of the strategy and generational renewal in the sector; stresses the need to provide remuneration and prioritise positive incentives and voluntary bottom-up participatory process in order to increase the acceptance, motivation and commitment of biodiversity protection, and thus, calls for a careful approach towards any new legally binding instrument; highlights the need to fully respect and support the rights of landowners; taking into account the actual base line at MS level and prioritizing voluntary measures;
Amendment 131 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the key role of the common agricultural policy (CAP) in protecting and promoting farmland biodiversity while keeping in mind the main objectives of the CAP stated in the Article 39 of the Treaty; underlines the potential of the green architecture components of the CAP in promoting and providing incentives for the transition to more sustainable agricultural systems for producing food and maintaining high nature valuebiodiversity on farmland; considers that Member States must ensure the timely development and uptake of actions which contribute to enhancing the delivery and potential of biodiversity benefits in line with the required level of ambition while taking account special conditions at national, regional and local level as one size does not fit all;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and its level of ambition; stresses the strong link to the European Green Deal including the Farm to Fork Strategy and the need to reach coherence and a sound balance between the different high-level policy goals;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and its level of ambition; with respect to the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality;
Amendment 160 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights the importance of maintaining and restoring high-diversity landscape features 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 CAP Strategic Plans to promote non-productive areas and features with the aim of achieving an area of at least 10% of high diversity areas beneficial for biodiversity at national level, promoting interconnectivity between habitats and thereby maximising the potential for biodiversity; recognises that agriculture and forestry practices do not contradict the conservation objectives of high diversity areas per se and hence productive use must remain an option; stresses that specific local conditions must be taken into account with regard to admissible forms of productive use;
Amendment 179 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. takes note of the Commission’s proposal to increase the area under protection and under strict protection; notes with concern that the Commission considers extractive activities such as fishing, hunting or forestry incompatible with strict protection, as expressed in a draft technical note on criteria and guidance for protected areas designations; insists that those activities that are compatible with protection goals or even positively contribute to biodiversity protection must remain admissible in areas under strict protection; echoes paragraph 10 of the Council Conclusions of 16 October 2020 on Biodiversity which highlights that stricter level of protection may allow for certain human activities, which are in line with the conservation objectives of the protected area;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes the importance of sustainable forest management (SFM) as an effective way to maintain and enhance biodiversity and the vitality of forests and to prevent pests and diseases also in protected areas.
Amendment 184 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls Commission to pay attention to the loss of biodiversity caused by the built environment and urbanization and to take effective measures to enhance biodiversity in urban areas, which should be seen in a holistic way with rural areas;
Amendment 188 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Stresses that where conservation measures restrict the use of privately owned land or negatively affect its value, adequate compensation must be granted to the owner;
Amendment 189 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the recognition of organic farming as a strong component on the EU’s path towards more sustainable food systems; underlines that the development of organic food production, but stresses that besides its generally positive contribution to biodiversity there are disadvantages with regard to efficiency and yields hindering the achievement of other Green Deal and UN SDG targets and that therefore organic farming should be seen as part of the solution, but not as a silver bullet; underlines that the development of organic food production must be based on a supply and demand based approach rather than an area target and must be accompanied by research, innovation and scientific transfer, market and supply chain development, and measures stimulating demand for organic food, ensuring both theaiming to support stability of the organic products market and the fair remuneration of farmers; stresses that an area target approach threatens profitability of organic farming and hence could increase dependency on subsidies which would be in contradiction to the aim of the Farm to Fork Strategy to make sustainable farming a profitable business model for European farmers;
Amendment 202 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the recognition of organic farming as a strong component on the EU’s path towards more sustainable food systems; underlines that the development of organic food production must be market driven and accompanied by research, innovation and scientific transfer, market and supply chain development, and measures stimulating demand for organic food, ensuring both the stability of the organic products market and the fair remuneration of farmers;
Amendment 208 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that soil biodiversity covers different soil types (mineral and organic) which provide ecosystem services and public goods including food production, where organic soils rich in nitrogen supply and water retention capacity provide good conditions for biomass growth under non-rainy periods; therefore underlines that the role of climate change and biodiversity adaptation of drought-resistant organic soils needs to be seen broadly, and their essential importance on food and biomass security and resilience must be recognized;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes that only one target from the Biodiversity Strategy 2020 was met (to protect 10% of marine areas and 17% of terrestrial areas), and underlines therefore that all targets from the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 should be clearly defined and measurable in order to be achieved;
Amendment 225 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the importance of sustainable forest management for the health and longevity of forest ecosystems including fauna and flora and the preservation of the multifunctional role of forests as well as for the achievement of the SDGs and for the implementation of the European Green Deal and combating climate change; reminds that the Member States have the responsibility for the implementation of forestry and selection of forestry measures; highlights the potential of agroforestry to improve and boost ecosystem services and farmland biodiversity, while enhancing farm productivity;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses strong support for theTakes note of the proposed 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 bindingforests based on internationally recognised definitions; stresses that before proposing relevant legislation, targets should be based on a holistic evaluation of the effectiveness of current protected areas and implemented by Member StatesUnion-wide in accordance with science- based criteria and biodiversity needs; underlines that in addition to increasing protected areas, the quality of protected areas should be ensured and clear conservation and management plans implemented; insists that those activities that are compatible with protection goals or even positively contribute to biodiversity protection must remain admissible in areas under strict protection; notes with concern that the Commission considers extractive activities such as fishing, hunting or forestry incompatible with strict protection, as expressed in a draft technical note on criteria and guidance for protected areas designations; echoes paragraph 10 of the Council Conclusions of 16 October 2020 on Biodiversity which highlights that stricter level of protection may allow for certain human activities, which are in line with the conservation objectives of the protected area;
Amendment 241 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Highlights the importance of healthy soil for biodiversity, forest conversion and agricultural ecosystem services and takes note of existing knowledge and data gaps in the area; calls on Commission and Member State to support further research in soil ecosystem services and to adjust relevant existing funding programmes in order to facilitate such research projects;
Amendment 257 #
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 which are the most vulnerable to climate change, focussing on carbon-rich ecosystems, such as primary and old- growth forests; stresses that these should be binding and implemented by Member States in accordance with science-based criteria and biodiversity needsand climate targets for each area; underlines that in addition to increasing protected areas, the quality of protected areas should be ensuredaim of the protection should be well- defined and realistic and clear conservation plans implemented;
Amendment 267 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the importance of plant protection products and tools for the stability of agricultural production and the sustainability of farmers’ incomes; considers that, although progress has been made, a substantial reduction in the use and risks of chemicalfurther efforts to reduce and mitigate the environmental impacts of pesticides use is needed; stresses the key role of integrated pest management in reducing pesticide dependency, and urges the Member States to ensure it is applied and its implementation is assessed systematically; stresses that farmers need a bigger toolbox of crop protection solutions and methods, as well as bolstered training and advisory systems; underlines that in order to achieve substantial reductions in pesticide use and risk, not only safer alternatives must become available to ensure the availability of a functioning toolbox and more efficient use must be facilitated by tools such as digital and precision farming, but also there is a need for more resistant varieties that require less input to secure stable yields; stresses the importance of new breeding techniques for making such varieties available without undue delay;
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Highlights that an effective implementation of the strategy depends on its acceptance in rural communities which are often economically and socially dependant on land- and forest-use; underlines in this regard the need to take into account economic and social aspects along with the environmental pillars of sustainability in a balanced way and to include local stakeholders in the process of protected area designation;
Amendment 272 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the importance of plant protection products and tools for food security, the stability of agricultural production and climate change adaption and the sustainability of farmers’ incomes; considers that, although progress has been made, a substantialfurther reduction in the use and risks of chemical pesticides accompanied with development of alternative sustainable protection technologies is needed; stresses the key role of integrated pest management in reducing pesticide dependency, and urges the Member States to ensure it is applied and its implementation is assessed systematically; stresses that farmers need a bigger toolbox of crop protection solutions and methods, as well as bolstered research, innovation, training and advisory systems; as well as better access to new and better low risk active substances;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that this network of protected areas should be based on the Natura 2000 network and may be complemented by additional designations by Member States, where existing national categories of protected areas and certain other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs, as defined by the CBD) should be recognised;
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that a clear definition of strict protection needs to be established in agreement between Member States and the Commission leaving Member States enough flexibility to take into account specificities of their natural conditions and national legislations
Amendment 287 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal to reduce nutrient losses; stresses that a strategy to reduce nutrient losses should focus primarily on enabling farmers to increase efficiency of nutrient management and highlights the importance of innovative technologies and solutions in this regard; further calls for the strategy to consider the climate and environmental impacts of different fertilisers;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Calls on the Commission to update the Adaptive management guidance in Natura 2000, which involves the consideration of potential regional impacts of climate change on species and ecosystems and the design of management actions that take those impacts into account;
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Highlights that the stricter level of protection may allow for certain human activities, which are compatible with the conservation and management objectives of the protected area, such as photo tourism, bird watching, sustainable hunting and recreational fishing;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Stresses that where conservation measures restrict the use of privately owned land or negatively affect its value, adequate compensation should be granted to the owner;
Amendment 306 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Regrets the fact that agricultural production is being increasingly concentrated in a limited range of agricultural crops, varieties and genotypes; underlines that preserving genetic variability in all its components is crucial to promoting the diversity and richness of agricultural ecosystems and to the preservation of local genetic resources, in particular as a repository of solutions to help in facing the environmental challenges that lie aheadand food security challenges that lie ahead; reminds that achieving effective results requires investments in both new plant breeding techniques and the utilization of old varieties.
Amendment 335 #
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, nocarbon-rich ecosystems and biodiversity targets should be set accounting for already established shifts in ecosystems due to for example climate change and anthropogenic effects; stresses that recognising climate change impacts is paramount for setting targets to ensure appropriate and realistic biodiversity targets in the long run and ensure no further ecosystem degradation should be allowed;
Amendment 375 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Stresses the importance of protected area governance and cooperation that engages landowners, fishermen, users and local stakeholders for the successful implementation of the Strategy at all levels; believes that Member States should carefully evaluate compensation measures, when the financial income and ownership rights are being compromised, as a result of additional designation of protected areas;
Amendment 404 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Highlights the importance of taking a shared responsibility approach including all relevant sectors on tackling the main direct anthropogenic drivers that duly takes into account all relevant activities such as the significantly increasing land sealing in urban areas; stresses that focussing on agriculture and forestry alone would fall short of addressing the causes appropriately; underlines the importance of taking into account specific local circumstances and to include all relevant local stakeholders in decision making processes;
Amendment 420 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights that soil biodiversity is the basis for key ecological processes and crucial to meet climate and biodiversity goals under the European Green Deal; notes with concern the increased soil degradation and the lack of specific EU legislation; ;calls on the Commission to submit a legislative proposal fexplore the establishmentusefulness of a common framework for the protection and sustainable use of soil that includes a specific decontamination targetwith regard to practicability, proportionality, costs, administrative burden and subsidiarity and to report back to the European Parliament and the Council; stresses the need to prioritise positive incentives and voluntary bottom-up participatory process in order to increase the acceptance, motivation and commitment of biodiversity protection;
Amendment 545 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. calls on Commission and Member States to take into account voluntary measures as well as pressure on the availability of agricultural land when implementing measures regarding high- diversity landscape features;
Amendment 601 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Insists that priority for protected areas must be specific environmental conservation and restoration targets and that no activity in these areas should undermine this goal; calls on the Commission to avoid future marine renewable energy developments anwithin Marine Protected Areas and expanded bottom-trawling fishing within Marine Protected Areas designated due to sensitive bottom habitats; further insists that biodiversity targets for Marine Protected Areas be based on best available scientific information, so targets are achievable and take into account the effects of climate change as species distribution can shift i.e. it is paramount to safeguard flexible management to ensure appropriate responses to climate change effects to ensure biodiversity targets are met in a changing world;
Amendment 636 #
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 Stratege need for coherence between the EU Forest Strategy, the Climate Law and the Biodiversity Strategy, in accordance with the Member States’ competence for forestry; 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 into the Forest Strategy; notes with great concern that forests have increasingly come under pressure by events such as forest fires, bark beetle infestations, heatwaves and extreme drought; stresses that these events threaten unmanaged forests more severely and must be taken into account along with local conditions when setting protection targets, carefully balancing forest resistance and resilience requirements with biodiversity protection goals; underlines the important role of sustainable forest management in tackling the aforementioned threats as well as in increasing forest carbon sequestration, biodiversity and other ecosystem services;
Amendment 703 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to urgently prespresent, after an impact assessment, a proposal for an EU legal framework based on mandatory due diligence that ensures sustainable and deforestation-free value chains;
Amendment 704 #
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 that ensures sustainable and deforestation-free value chains which should also apply to third countries;
Amendment 716 #
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 solutions in meeting climate mitigation goals and in adaptation strategies and to increase the protection and sustainable management of natural carbon sinks in the EU, while ensuring that the full potential of biogenic resources is used in order to achieve the phasing-out of fossil fuels with a view to achieving the objective of the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 732 #
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 solutionsustainably manage our natural resources in meeting climate mitigation goals and in adaptation strategies and to increase the protection of natural carbon sinks in the EU;
Amendment 744 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to preparesent a long-term EU action plan on climate and biodiversity that improvensures coherence and interconnections for future actions, and formally integrates commitments under the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement; Nationally-Determined Contributions of the Paris Agreement; underlines the importance of creating a formal coordination structure as soon as possible, as well as better coordination of reporting, monitoring, assessment and review of both climate and biodiversity plans in the future;
Amendment 759 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Highlights that the substitution effects of wood-based products should be recognised as important in achieving the targets of the Green Deal and in increasing the carbon stocks in forests; considers that sustainably managed forests can support long-term wood availability and enhance biodiversity;
Amendment 773 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. WelcomesTakes note of the Commission’s targets of reducing the use of more hazardous andand risk from chemical pesticides by 50 %, the use of fertilisers by at least 20 % and nutrient losses 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 andnutrient losses by at least 50 % - resulting in a reduction of the use of fertilisers by at least 20 % - by 2030; calls on the Commission to carry out a comprehensive impact assessment of all quantitative targets and their reciprocal influence brought forward in the Biodiversity and Farm-to-Fork Strategies before proposing relevant legislation; considers that while regulation by derogation should be avoided in general, Article 53(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 remains an important instrument to ensure farmers have access to effective means of plant protection; stresses, however, that it must only be applied founder thealth and environmental reasons; scrutiny of the Commission and in strict accordance with Article 1(3) and (4) of the Regulation;
Amendment 783 #
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 losses by at least 50 % by 2030, which should be made binding and have an explicit connection with the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability; underlines the link between the Biodiversity, Farm to Fork, and Chemical strategies in this regard; 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;
Amendment 787 #
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 losses by at least 50 % by 2030, which should be made binding taking into account the differences between Member States, which should be made binding including in relation to imports to the EU; 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;
Amendment 798 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Underlines that in order to achieve substantial reductions in pesticide use and risk, not only safer alternatives must become available to ensure the availability of a functioning plant protection toolbox and more efficient use must be facilitated by innovative tools such as digital and precision farming, but there is also a need for more resistant varieties that require less input to secure stable yields; stresses the importance of new innovative breeding techniques for making such varieties and calls on the Commission to propose a regulatory framework in this regard;
Amendment 810 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Welcomes the Commission´s proposal to reduce nutrient losses; stresses that a strategy to reduce nutrient losses should focus primarily on enabling farmers to increase efficiency of nutrient management and highlights the importance of innovative technologies and solutions in this regard; further calls for the strategy to consider the climate and environmental impact of different fertilisers;
Amendment 890 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Insists on the important role well- regulated hunting plays in protecting healthy forests, grasslands, other countryside and their local species;
Amendment 980 #
24a. Regrets that the lack of a Monitoring and Review Mechanism for the Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 has hindered progress towards the established objectives; believes that due to the trans- boundary and cross-sectorial nature of biodiversity there is an urgent need to integrate all existing monitoring tools at EU-level into one comprehensive monitoring and review Mechanism for the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 including terrestrial and marine biodiversity;
Amendment 995 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Recalls that Article 37 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights reflects the principle of ensuring environmental protection in Union legislation; considers that the right to a healthy environment should be recognised in the EU Charter and that the Union should also advocate a similar right internationally; recalls that ownership rights must be respected;
Amendment 1014 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Commission to reinforce biodiversity within Union youth programmes such as the European Voluntary Service, and to launch a Green Erasmus programme focused on restoration and conservation; highlights the crucial role research and education play in order to empirically analyse the loss of biodiversity; stresses the need for a substantial increase in funding of public research, particularly regarding the development of research indicators to quantify biodiversity measures; reiterates its calls for a specific mission and funding dedicated to biodiversity within future research programmes;
Amendment 1025 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Highlights the importance of healthy soil for biodiversity, sustainable forest management, forest conversion and agricultural ecosystem services and takes note of existing knowledge and data gaps in the area; calls on the Commission and Member States to support further research in soil ecosystem services and to adjust relevant existing funding programmes in order to facilitate such research projects;
Amendment 1089 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 e (new)
Paragraph 27 e (new)
27e. Welcomes the Biodiversity Strategy's commitment to revise by 2021 the EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking to step up efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade both within the EU and globally; calls on the Commission to ensure that the post-2020 EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking is fully integrated into the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, receives adequate funding and includes baselines and measurable indicators so that progress can be assessed and objectives delivered within a specified timeframe;
Amendment 1095 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. RCalls on all Parties to the CBD to scale up and reinforce action and monitoring against wildlife legal and illegal trafficking and promote the development of specific, measurable, quantifiable targets to this end; reiterates its call for 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 1123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes that marine plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, affecting at least 267 species; notes that the Union already has taken steps to tackle plastic waste in oceans through measures as the single-use plastic directive and port reception facilities directive; calls on the Union to lead negotiations for an international agreement for plastic-free oceans by 2030; encourages the Union to increase and improve recycling and reuse of plastic waste;
Amendment 1176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Points out that protecting and preserving biodiversity will mean varied and dissimilar approaches and solutions in the Member States; underlines that each Member State has different circumstances and land use that will affect its options for action; asks the Commission to not create a one-size-fits- all-model, but instead allow each Member State to identify how they can meet the biodiversity management and conservation objectives at EU-level;
Amendment 1200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Underlines that the successful implementation of the strategy depends on the involvement of all actors and sectors; calls on the Commission to create a stakeholder platform for discussion and to ensure an inclusive, equitable and just transition; emphasises the importance of thorough and comprehensive impact assessments of the overall Strategy and any legislative action related to the Strategy;