Activities of Petros KOKKALIS related to 2022/2183(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on ensuring food security and long-term resilience of the EU agriculture
Amendments (44)
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 on the European Green Deal (COM(2019)0640),
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)
Citation 3 b (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 entitled ‘A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system’(COM(2020)381),
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 c (new)
Citation 3 c (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 entitled ‘EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 Bringing nature back into our lives’ (COM(2020)380),
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 d (new)
Citation 3 d (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 12 November 2021 on the contingency plan for ensuring food supply and food security in times of crisis(COM(2021)0689),
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 e (new)
Citation 3 e (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 15 January 2020 on the European Green Deal(2019/2956(RSP)),
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 f (new)
Citation 3 f (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 20 October 2021 on a farm to fork strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system (2020/2260(INI)),
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 g (new)
Citation 3 g (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 9 June 2021 on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 Bringing nature back into our lives (2020/2273(INI)),
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 h (new)
Citation 3 h (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 23 November 2022 on prevention, management and better care of diabetes in the EU on the occasion of World Diabetes Day(2022/2901(RSP)),
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 i (new)
Citation 3 i (new)
— having regard to the UN General Assembly resolution of 28 July 2022 declaring access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment a universal human right,
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 j (new)
Citation 3 j (new)
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
Citation 5
— having regard to its resolution of 24 March 2022 on the need for an urgent EU action plan to ensure food security inside and outside the EU in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022/2593(RSP)),
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
Citation 9
— having regard to the Voluntary Guidelines of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) on the responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests in the context of national food security (2012) and the CFS Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (2015) and the CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition (2021),
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
Citation 10
— having regard to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the accompanying Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how closely linked and integrated they are, in particular SDG 1 to end poverty in all its forms, and SDG 2 to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, SDG 13 to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, and SDG 15 to protect nature that provides us with our oxygen, regulates our weather patterns, pollinates our crops, produces our food, feed and fibre,
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
— having regard to the validated European Citizen Initiative entitled “Save Bees and Farmers”,
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, according to the FAO, the concept of food security is not limited to the provision of food, but also encompasses the internationally recognised human right to food and stable, affordable, safe access to healthy and nutritious diets for all, yet no human right is so frequently violated;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas the food crisis respects no borders and no country can overcome it alone; whereas there is an urgent need for joint action and solidarity;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas, as a result of the global supply crisis, the FAO estimatthe war in Ukraine, the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate and biodiversity crises thatve combined in 2022 to push international food and feed prices that have continued to rise significantly above their already high levels; whereas, in order to identify and prevent food spec, prevent and eliminate food speculation that fuels food price volatility, the EU must adopt new adequate regulation and, operators need to become more transparent with regard to their share of value added throughout the food supply chain;
Amendment 100 #
F. whereasglobal food insecurity is not caused by a shortage of supply but by unequalfood distribution and food affordability, while 63% of low-income people worldwide are employed in agriculture and the overwhelming majority of them work on small farms, many people are at risk of food shortages and hunger; whereas the availability of food varies due to climate, seasonality and limited production1 food insecurity and malnutrition are driven by conflict, climate extremes,biodiversity loss, economic shocks and market structures combined with the highcost of nutritious foods and growing inequalities1; _________________ 1 https://www.ifad.org/en/covid19
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the future food security of the European Union is directly linked to the ambitionobjectives of the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategyies and the Green Deal; whereas the cumulative effect of Green Deal related legislation must not lead to a decline in EU food production that could jeopardise food security in the EU; as food security depends on resilient and sustainable food systems in the short and long term; whereas the first mid-term review of the Farm to Fork strategy is planned for mid-2023 and will consider the findings from the Commission’s study on the drivers of food security; whereas short-term measures to tackle immediate food production and distribution challenges and support the most vulnerable must not jeopardise the EU’s long-term goals of resilience and sustainability; whereas biodiversity is crucial for safeguarding EU and global food security; whereas EU food security cannot undermine third countries’ food security and food sovereignty;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas generational renewal is one of the biggest challenges for a resilient agricultural and food sector in the EU; whereas young farmers in particular are innovative and, if properly motivated and empowered, are willing to make investments that may increase the sustainability of agriculture; and food systems
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas most Europeans’ diets are not in line with recommendations for healthy eating, including increased consumption of sustainably and regionally produced plants and plant- based foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes; whereas the Mediterranean diet, recognised by UNESCO in 2010 as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, is known as a healthy, balanced diet, with a high nutritional, social and cultural value; whereas there is a need to address the overconsumption of meat and dairy and ultra-processed products, as well as products high in sugars, salt and fats;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
H b. whereas there is a need to reconsider the EU land use for food security as nearly two-thirds of the EU's cereals are used for animal feed and around one-third for human consumption; whereas 3% are used for biofuels;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the sharp risEU agriculture’s dependence ion globalsynthetic fertiliser prices, together with the sharp rise in other input costs for farmers, threatens foods and other inputs including pesticides, the prices of which have increased sharply, threatens food affordability, hence security; whereas in September 2022 the prices of nitrogen fertilisers increased by 149% compared to the previous year;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
I a. whereas in the EU, nearly 57 million tonnes of food waste (127 kg/inhabitant) are generated annually with an associated market value estimated at 130 billion euros; whereas at the same time, some 36.2 million people cannot afford a quality meal every second day; whereas food waste causes 6% of EU´s total Green House Gas emissions;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have once again demonstrated the need for the EU to strengthen its food security andby reduceing its dependence on imports from outside the EU; welcomes the adoption, due to the exceptional current circumstances, of temporarysupporting the shift to sustainable food systems and rebalancing the proportion of EU land used for production of animal feed with that for producing human food; stresses the exceptionality and the temporary nature of certain measures adopted to increase EU production during the 2022/23 harvest season, which will contribute to food security;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Emphasises that while the negative impact of the war in Ukraine on global food security has been significant, what the world is facing today is not a new crisis but an additional layer to the existing systemic failures in the food system, and that sufficient short- and longer-term measures need to be adopted to address hunger and malnutrition in Europe and beyond;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to take the necessary measures to provide farmers with planning security and guarantees, making it possible to maintain and, if necessary, increase food production in the EU; calls on the Commission to ensure that farmland is used primarily for the production of food and feedfor the production of food while ensuring the implementation of the necessary measures to reduce GHG emissions and reverse biodiversity loss, in line with the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies, the upcoming Nature Restoration Law, the CAP objectives and the need to ensure food security in the long term;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the European Green Deal could beis a milestone in the EU transition to a greener and more sustainable economy, while pointing out that many of the resulting measures might have adverse effects, which have not yet been properly assessed, on EU farms and food security; calls on the Commission to carry out a comprehensive assessment; calls on the Commission to ensure that the mid-term evaluation of the Farm to Fork strategy reflects ofn the cumulative impact of Green Deal legislative proposals on the EU farming sector in a holistic and systemic manner, covering all dimensions of sustainability, be they environmental, economic or social, including health;
Amendment 317 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to present a comprehensive EU protein strategy that, on the one hand, focuses on domestic production in order to fully exploit its potential and reduce dependence on imports from third countries and, on the other, further safeguards income from sustainable producavours the production of plant- based protein for human consumption ;
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Subheading 3 a (new)
Sustainable healthy diets and sustainable food systems
Amendment 330 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Notes that a shift towards healthier and sustainable diets rich in legumes, vegetables and fruits in Europe could substantially alleviate pressure on global grain supplies and land demand;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Calls on the Commission to present an ambitious proposal for an EU Sustainable Food System Framework law establishing a clear and measurable path towards food system sustainability in the EU; ensuring coherence among all existing and future food-related policies, including the EU’s external policies; shifting consumption towards sustainable and healthy diets, including support for a higher consumption of legumes, vegetable and fruits; promoting favourable food environments with increased affordability and availability of sustainable and healthy food, while ensuring that prices paid for sustainable production and incomes earned by farmers are fair; strengthening the responsibility and engagement of large food businesses in the transition towards sustainability; recognizing animal welfare asa requirement for a sustainable food system;
Amendment 337 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. Emphasises the latest United Nations State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report’s findings that agricultural subsidies often target the production of staple foods, dairy and other animal source foods, while fruits and vegetables are relatively less supported;1a notes that a repurposing of EU farm subsidies to incentivise more the production of foods contributing to healthy sustainable diets would have an impact on the affordability of such diets, hence on food security; _________________ 1a State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2022 by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFPand WHO.https://www.fao.org/publications/so fi/2022/en/#:~:text=About%20the%20seri es- ,The%20State%20of%20Food%20Securit y%20and%20Nutrition%20in%20the%20 World,goal%20in%20the%20context%20 of
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the EU to speed upUnderlines that new cultivation techniques shall be dully assessed before the adoption of relevant legislation on the use of new cultivation techniques in order to increase yields and make cropsin order to take into account their potential risks and with a view to making agricultural systems sustainable and more resilient to climate change and new pathogens, particularly in view of the droughts and water shortages that are afflicting an increasing number of EU Member States; points out that new cultivation targets can promote sustainable agriculture, which is not possible without innovation;
Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that digital technologies and precision crop management can provide forward-looking solutions to the challenges arising when it comes to monitoring deforestation, the use of pesticides and fertilisers or water consumption for agriculture; calls on the Commission to step up and accelerate the use of digital innovation to modernise EU agriculture, enabling farmers to realise their full production potential while reducing their use of agricultural inputs and safeguard their incomes in the context of green transition;
Amendment 385 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that, while that space datae agricultural data space and AI technologies can be a source of much valuable information for agriculture, it can still only be put to very limited use, as in most cases it is not freely available or is too complex to be processed by farms or local authorities; calls for increased use of such data and technologies to help farmers through the green and digital transitions, while ensuring the resilience of EU agriculture; on the development of a secure and trusted data space to allow the farming sector to share and access data, improving economic and environmental performance in the field; calls for increased use of such data and technologies to help farmers through the green and digital transitions, while ensuring the resilience of EU agriculture; notes that access to the digital single market must be guaranteed, data interoperability and portability must be ensured, the entire chain from farm to fork must be considered and the Gaia-X, as an open, transparent and interoperable ecosystem, presents an appropriate infrastructure for those challenges;
Amendment 401 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a new Regulation on the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products, including EU wide targets to reduce by 50% the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 2030 and by 50% the use of the most hazardous pesticides, in line with the EU’s Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies; highlights that this proposal should establish a long-term (post-2030) vision and clear pathways out of chemical pesticide dependency of European agriculture; notes that reducing the EU pesticide dependency is a driver of food security and self- sufficiency;
Amendment 416 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Regrets the blanketExpresses its support to the ban on the use of pesticides in sensitive areas being mooted by the Commission, since this would pose a significant threat to the livelihood of manywhich is crucial for the EU to deliver its nature restoration goals and to ensure the protection of most vulnerable groups of the population; calls on the Commission to ensure that farmers near these areas, like all other farmers, and severely limit their output.re supported, financially and otherwise, in making the shift towards Integrated Pest Management and agroecological food production;
Amendment 439 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the inclusion in the Commission communication on ensuring the availability and affordability of fertilisers (COM(2022)0590) of a strategy to help farmers cope with exceptionally high costs; considers, however, that while it contains many validtoo weak medium and long- term policy recommendations, it failsfailing include measures to reduce the dependency on external inputs, hence to provide adequate support for farmers in the current crisis, which could have very serious implications for food security;
Amendment 455 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to raiseplace the limits for the use ofuse of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers with fertilisers derived from animal manure, e.g. RENURE2 , or compost, in line with the limits currently applicable to fertilisersWater Directive Framework especially the Nitrate Directive; calls on the Commission to consider a temporary exemptionmeasure to bring down the cost of fertilisers for now, while seeking the introduction of long-term framework provisions to promote a circular economy and nutrients use on farms and reduce dependence on third- country resources; _________________ 2 RENURE: REcovered Nitrogen from manURE
Amendment 471 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8
Subheading 8
Combating food losses and waste and promoting the bioeconomy
Amendment 479 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Reiterates that food losses and food waste can be avoided if measures are taken to reduce the presence of pathogens in food, for example by ensuring proper hygiene andmust be reduced from farm to fork; welcomes, therefore, the upcoming revision of the Waste Framework Directive, including the use of improved technologies along the entire value chain, as well as the regular publication of information regarding these interrelated factorstting of legally binding EU food waste reduction targets; calls for an enforceable EU-wide food waste reduction target of 50 % by 2030, based on a common methodology; underlines the positive effects that short food supply chains can have for reducing food waste;
Amendment 504 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers that a contributionRecognises that the war in Ukraine has highlighted the contribution of small and medium-scale farmers to food security; can be made by sustainable and high-yieldonsiders that sustainable farming that preserves natural resources such as soil, water and forests and takes advantage of the opportunities offered by bioenergy and the bioeconomis a prerequisite to long-term food security in the EU and globally;
Amendment 513 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Reiterates that the CAP should keep ensuring food security; moreover, it should help to improve the response of Union agriculture to new societal demands on food and health, including sustainable agricultural production, sustainable food systems, healthier nutrition, animal welfare and reduction of food losses and waste;