Activities of Hermann TERTSCH related to 2020/2260(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Farm to Fork Strategy (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on a farm to fork strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system
Amendments (38)
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas our environmental protection and our agricultural sustainability cannot be achieved without improving the profitability of agricultural and livestock holdings;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas all proposals stemming from the Green Deal, the Biodiversity Strategy and the Farm to Fork Strategy need to be thoroughly reviewed and analysed in the light of lessons learned from the pandemic;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas the agricultural sector is facing new and ambitious environmental, social and economic goals, with a significant cut in CAP funds and a gradual increase in imports from third countries;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas Europe’s food system should deliver food and nutrition security in a way that contributes to social well- being and maintains and restores ecosystem health; whereas currently, the food system is responsible for a range of impacts on human and animal health and on the environment, the climate and biodiversity; whereas the way in which we produce and consume food needs to transform in order to ensure coherence with the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity and EU policies, particularly in the areas of sustainability, the environment, climate, public health, agri-food trade, animal welfare, food and economic sustainability for farmers;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. recalls that 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, based on respect for the territory and biodiversity, ensuring the conservation and development of traditional activities and crafts related to fishing, sustainable hunting and agriculture and playing a protective role in the primary and secondary prevention of the main chronic degenerative diseases;
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the European model of a multifunctional agricultural sector, driven by family farms and production diversity, continues to ensure food security, quality food production, local supply chains, good agriculture practices, high environmental standards and vibrant rural areas throughout the EU;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas science and innovation, through artificial intelligence, digitisation, precision farming and smart machinery, can play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to a sustainable, productive and environmentally-friendly agri-food model;
Amendment 450 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas animal health is an essential element of any food model that aspires to be considered sustainable;
Amendment 489 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the farm to fork strategy as an important step in ensuring ambarking on a global reflection that could culminate in concrete proposals to ensure a gradual transition towards a more sustainable, fair and resilient food system, which is central to achieving the goals set out in the European Green Deal and in the SDGs; emphasises the inextricable links between healthy people, healthy animals, healthy societies and a healthy planet, encourages the Commission to translate the strategy into concrete legislative and non-legislative action based on impact studies as soon as possible;
Amendment 572 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the announcement of an impact-assessed proposal for a legislative framework for sustainable food systems; invites the Commission to use this proposal to set out a holistic common food policy aimed atimprove communication with consumers on agriculture’s contribution to food security and the environment; calls on the Commission to set out a holistic common food policy aimed at making agricultural activity more profitable and reducing the environmental and climate footprint of the EU food system in order to make Europe the first climate- neutral continent by 2050 and strengthen its resilience to ensure food security in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss, leading a global transition towards sustainability from farm to fork, based on the principle of a multifunctional agricultural sector while ensuring consistency between policies by taking into account the existing legislation in order to enable all actors in the European food system to develop long- term plans based on realistic and transparent objectives that will ensure the correct application of the principle of subsidiarity; suggests that the respective base lines and progress achieved in each Member State be taken into account, while promoting the exchange of know-how and best practices between Member States; stresses the need to include the entire food and beverage chains including processing, marketing, distribution and retail;
Amendment 656 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Stresses that, through their professional activity, agricultural and livestock farmers are the main actors protecting the environment in rural areas, contributing to a living and dynamic rural environment; recognises the strategic and fundamental nature of agricultural and livestock activity;
Amendment 669 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Calls on the Commission to give young farmers a leading role in developing the farm to fork strategy; emphasises that this strategy may adversely affect the availability and price of land, leading to increased speculation and further hindering young people’s ability to access land and enter the sector;
Amendment 767 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the decision to revise the directive on the sustainable use of pesticides and the reduction targets for pesticides, fertiliserthe loss of nutrients from organic and mineral sources, and antibiotics; emphasises the importance of pursuing these targets through holistic and circular approaches, such as agroecological practices; insists that each Member State should, according to its own particular situation, establish robust quantitative reduction targets, accompanied by well- defined support measures ensuring accountability at all levels to help reach these targets; reiterates its call for the translation into legislation of the above targets and objectives and and implement them at farm level through innovative and technological solutions; 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 793 #
3a. Recognises the latest developments in plant protection technology with the consequent reduction in the quantities applied and in toxic compounds such as mycotoxins; notes that harmonised risk indicators are needed to effectively reduce pesticide use in conventional and organic farming; stresses that any pesticide initiatives must take into account the different climatic and agronomic conditions in the EU;
Amendment 828 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Calls for alternatives and tools to enable farmers to deal with new pests and diseases; invites the Commission to speed up and simplify the biopesticide authorisation process and, in the planned measures to promote digitisation and precision farming, to consider the use of drones for aerial spraying of plant protection products together with initiatives to reduce nitrogen levels in the soil;
Amendment 844 #
3c. Underlines the significant efforts made to date to reduce the use of antimicrobials in animals in line with the 2019 report by the Court of Auditors on antimicrobial resistance and with the new European Regulations on veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed; notes that the EU must ensure that animals can continue to be treated with antimicrobials when necessary to permanently protect animal health and welfare;
Amendment 867 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Emphasises that the aim of achieving a 50% reduction in nutrient losses by 2030 requires CAP strategic plans, especially eco-schemes, to incorporate specific measures based on smart and precision farming to ensure efficient use of plant nutrients;
Amendment 924 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the importance of recognising the significantpositive impact of agriculture and especially animal production on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and land useas a carbon sink; stresses the need to enhance natural carbon sinks and continue supporting good practice in the sector to reduce agricultural emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, in particular in the feed and livestock sectors; calls for regulatory measures and targets tomeasures aimed at ensureing progressive reductions in all GHG emissions in these sectors; supports measures for a more efficient nutrient use that can be developed through expert advisory services and the smart farming model; recognises the enormous potential of agriculture and forestry in achieving the climate and environmental goals set out by the European Commission;
Amendment 1112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the notion of rewarding carbon sequestration in soils; stresses, however, that intensive and industrial agriculture and farming model through initiatives that can effectively contribute to sustainable soil use; stresses, however, that certain practices with negative impacts on biodiversity should not receive climate funding or be incentivised; calls for the proposals to be in line with the environmental objectives and the ‘do no harm’ principle of the Green Deal;
Amendment 1154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines the importance of seed security and diversity, notably of promoting EU-grown plant proteins to deliver locally sourced food and feed stuffs with high nutritional value while granting farmers; underlines the importance of ensuring access to quality seeds for plant varieties adapted to the pressures of climate change, including traditional and locally-adapted varieties, while ensuring access to innovative plant breeding in order to contribute to healthy seeds and protect plants against harmful pests and diseases; raises awareness of the potential and contributing to sustainable plant production; warns of the negative effects of a potential concentration and monopolisation in the seed sector; if these technologies are not accessible and affordable for SMEs; supports all of the efforts of SMEs and public research centres to improve seeds through gene editing techniques;
Amendment 1186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that, in order to achieve the ambitious goals of the farm to fork strategy, the regulatory framework for gene editing techniques in plant breeding needs to be clarified; notes that all initiatives for seeds or modern plant breeding techniques must be based on scientific evidence, the principle of innovation and citizen communication;
Amendment 1256 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for CAP National Strategic Plans to ensure adequate financial support and incentives to promote new ecological ‘green’ businesssustainable models for agriculture and artisanal food production, notably through fostering short supply chains, sustainable export-oriented production models and quality food production;
Amendment 1342 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that robust and reliable legal frameworks for the fisheries and aquaculture sector should provide the basis for better protection measures and animal health with subsequent increases in fish populations and more clarity regarding the use of space and licenses in aquaculture, allowing for greater predictability for investments; stresses that good traceability mechanisms and high sustainability standards for all products sold on EU markets are essential to ensure transparency for consumers, the sector and the different administrations, and to achieve the targets of the Green Deal and the SDGs;
Amendment 1378 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Expresses its deep concern about the emergence of zoonotic diseases that are transferred from animals to humans (anthropozoonoses), such as Q fever, avian influenza and the new strain of influenza A (H1IN1), which is exacerbated by anthropogenic climate change, the destruction of biodiversity, environmental degradation and our current food production systemand recognises the efforts made by the European livestock sector to apply strict safety protocols aimed at avoiding and preventing disease; expresses its dismay at the unjustified smear campaign and harassment being suffered by the Union’s livestock sector despite its products being recognised on international markets;
Amendment 1547 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Urges the reviewstrengthening of the EU promotion programme for agricultural and food products, including the EU school scheme, with a view to enhancing its contribution to sustainable production and consumption, notably by focusing on educational messages about the importance of healthy and varied nutrition and, promoting greater consumption of fruit and vegetablesthe elements of a Mediterranean diet with the aim of reducing obesity rates and creating healthier eating habits;
Amendment 1613 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls the need to promote effective Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), enabling all food chain actors to becommove towards more sustainable models by speeding up innovation and accelerating knowledge transfer; recalls, in addition, the need for a farm sustainability data network to set benchmarks for farm performance and document the uptake of sustainable farming practices, while allowing for the precise and tailored application of new production approaches at farm level by providing farmers with access to fast broadband connections;
Amendment 1625 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission to develop a predictable, long-term, science- based policy framework to develop agricultural innovation; advocates precision agriculture and biotechnology as key elements of a rapid and safe transition to more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable practices;
Amendment 1676 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for measures to reduce the burden that highly processed foods with high salt, sugar and fat content place on public health; regrets that the introduction of nutrient profiles is greatly delayed andsystem of nutrient profiles supported by the Commission, Nutriscore, lacks scientific basis and is not an effective system for providing consumers with useful information encouraging a healthy and balanced diet; stresses that a robust set of nutrient profiles must be developed to restrict or prohibit the use of false nutritional claims on foods high in fats, sugars and/or salt; calls for a mandatory EU-wide front-of-pack nutrition labelling system based on independent sciencen online science-based labelling system;
Amendment 1730 #
17. Welcomes the Commission’s commitment to revise the EU legislation on food contact materials (FCM); reiterates its call to revise the legislation on FCM in line with the regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH), as well as classification, labelling and packaging regulations, and to insert, without further delay, specific provisions to substitute endocrine disrupting chemicals; supports the scientific opinions of EFSA and ECHA and recognises the need to give both agencies more weight in decision- making;
Amendment 1836 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Reaffirms its belief that policy measures that are dependent solely on consumer choice unduly shift the responsibility to purchase sustainable products to consumers; notes that third- party certification and labelling alone are not effective, voluntary agreements and labelling can be a useful addition in ensuring sustainable production and consumption;
Amendment 1883 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Highlights the recognition in the strategy that Europeans’ diets are not in line with recommendations for healthy eating, and that a population-wide shift in consumption patterns is needed towards more healthy and plant-based foods and less red and processed meat, sugars, salt, and fats, which will also benefit the environment; emphasises that EU-wide guidelines for sustainable and healthy diets would bring clarity to consumers on what constitutes a healthy and sustainable diet and inform Member States’ own efforts to integrate sustainability elements in national dietary advice; calls on the Commission to develop such guidelines and specific actions to effectively promote healthy plant-based dieeating habits;
Amendment 1941 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Considers that the further development of plant protein production and alternative sources of protein in the EU, with the support of the CAP and innovative plant breeding technologies, is a way of effectively addressing manysome of the environmental and climate challenges that EU agriculture is facing, as well as preventing deforestation in countries outside the EU;
Amendment 1977 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for a revision of public procurement legislation, including minimum mandatory criteria in schools and other public institutions to encourage organic and local food production and to promote more healthy diets by creating a food environment that enables consumers to make the healthy choicefood production that contributes to more healthy and balanced diets;
Amendment 2016 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Reiterates its call to take the measures required to achieve a Union food waste reduction target of 30 % by 2025 and 50 % by 2030 compared to the 2014 baseline; underlines that binding targets are needed to achieve this; stresses that a significant proportion of the losses occurring on farms are a consequence of production standards set by large-scale agri-food retailers in order to meet consumer preferences; notes that ensuring animal health will help avoid food waste at source;
Amendment 2134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines the importance EU funding for research and innovation as a key driver in accelerating the transition to a more sustainable, healthy and inclusive European food system while facilitating investments needed to encourage agro- ecologicalsustainable practices in both social and technological innovation, and the crucial role of farm advisory services in ensuring the transfer of knowledge to the farming community, drawing on the existing specialised training systems for farmers in Member States;
Amendment 2165 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 a (new)
Subheading 4 a (new)
Calls on the Commission to explain clearly and precisely what it means by a sustainable, holistic and resilient food system;
Amendment 2225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls the global responsibility of European food systems and their key role in setting global standards for food safety, environmental protection and animal welfare; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that all food and feed products imported to the EU fully meet relevant EU regulations and standards and to provide development assistance to support primary producers from developing countries in meeting those standards; welcomes the Commission’s intention to take the environmental impacts of requested import tolerances into account, in line with WTO trade rules;
Amendment 2255 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Recognises the need to support reciprocity and the principle of Community preference; warns of the hypocrisy of raising environmental standards in the European Union while at the same time facilitating, through trade agreements, the import of agri-food products that do not meet basic European production and quality standards in terms of animal welfare or phytosanitary products;