Activities of Michele PICARO
Plenary speeches (9)
Droughts and extreme weather events as a threat to local communities and EU agriculture in times of climate change (debate)
Urgent need to revise the medical devices regulation (debate)
World Mental Health Day - need for a comprehensive EU strategy on mental health (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 179)
Tackling the steel crisis: boosting competitive and sustainable European steel and maintaining quality jobs (debate)
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (debate)
Outcome of the UN Biodiversity Conference 2024 in Cali, Colombia (COP16) (debate)
Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting
Need to update the European strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities (debate)
Institutional motions (2)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Council’s recommendation on smoke- and aerosol-free environments
Written questions (12)
Huge damage to olive and horticultural crops in Apulia following invasions by flocks of common starlings
Blasphemy at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
Urgent strengthening of the EU’s aerial fire-fighting fleet and development of a European partnership
Funding of the ‘DragTivism Jr’ project through Erasmus+
Presence of dangerous substances in fast fashion clothing from third countries and the safety of European consumers
Doubts about Temu’s economic and financial situation and its failure to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA)
Commission taking action in response to Afghanistan’s Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Law
Placing Ryplazim on the market in Europe
Fashion-sector companies unable to the EU ‘Fit for 55’ plan’s carbon footprint targets
Brenner and road transport restrictions
‘Men Having Babies’ surrogacy conference
Territorial continuity and island transport: achieving transparency and sustainability
Amendments (24)
Amendment 111 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Recalls that the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is key to boosting investment in high-performance, sustainable trans-European networks and to decarbonising the Union economy, thereby accelerating the green transition and promoting interconnectivity; proposes, to increase appropriations for CEF Transport by EUR 40 million above the DB in 2025; further proposes to top-up CEF Energy with an additional EUR 30 million, emphasizes the need to address the specific challenges of island regions and, to this end, proposes an additional allocation of EUR 20 million within the CEF Transport specifically dedicated to improving connectivity in island regions; this allocation will prioritise projects in these regions, ensuring they are better integrated into the EU transport network and are able to address the specific geographical and environmental challenges they face;
Amendment 116 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Reaffirms the need to invest in resources dedicated to research and development of new technologies for underwater exploration and the creation of advanced technological infrastructures, such as transatlantic submarine cables, which are essential to ensure greater interconnectivity; encourages targeted investment in scientific and technological research in the marine sector, with particular attention to deep-sea technologies, in order to support Europe's progress and competitiveness in the international context, while simultaneously strengthening the strategic position of the Mediterranean as a hub of innovation and development;
Amendment 119 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that a well-functioning Single Market is critical for the Union’s competitiveness and to enhance access to markets for EU businesses; emphasises that SMEs in particular have been hit hard by high inflation and energy prices and proposes, e importance of supporting SMEs as the main drivers of the European economy; notes that SMEs in particular have been hit hard by high inflation and energy prices; highlights the importance of considering insularity when reinforcing economic cohesion to ensure that policies effectively support island communities and address their specific challenges; proposes to increase a result,llocations for the COSME programme and other initiatives aimed at facilitating access to credit, internationalisation, and innovation of SMEs, including an increase of EUR 520 million above the DB for the SME strand of the Single Market programme, also calls for the promotion of administrative simplification and the reduction of bureaucratic burdens for businesses;
Amendment 124 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Opposes the proposed reduction of close to EUR 35 million in funding for the EU Space Programme; underscores the strategic importance of the EU Space Programme in enhancing the Union's technological autonomy, competitiveness, security and defence;
Amendment 133 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Recognizes the unique challenges faced by island regions within the Union, including geographic isolation, higher transport costs, and limited economic diversification; calls for targeted measures and increased funding under the cohesion policy to address the specific needs of these regions, promoting their sustainable development, improving connectivity, and fostering full integration into the internal market;
Amendment 152 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Recalls that programmes under Heading 2b play a key role in ensuring resilience and values by providing support and opportunities for young people through Erasmus+, including the Special Olympics World Games (SOWG) 2025, and through the European Solidarity Corps; reinforcing support for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme; investing in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer diseases affecting children and improving mental health by increasing EU4Health; investing in skills development; ensuring social security coordination in order to facilitate labour mobility and easier transfer of social security benefits; supporting vulnerable communities, as well as rural, isolated, insular and mountainous areas, social dialogue and trade unions, cultural and creative industries;
Amendment 160 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Is alarmed by the growing impact of natural disasters in Europe and its neighbourhood including earthquakes, floods, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, droughts, heatwaves, and severe storms and the drying up of lakes and rivers, and concerned about the Union’s ability to respond effectively; underlines that these disasters are often linked to climate change and are therefore likely to occur with greater frequency and intensity in the future; wishes to protect human lives and to augment the Commission’s crisis response capacity; increases, therefore, appropriations for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism by EUR 42 million above DB; calls for a prioritisation of investments that help reduce the impact of natural disasters; stresses that the Union, being based on solidarity, will find the resources for the citizens affected by the recent floodclimate-related events;
Amendment 163 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Emphasizes the need to establish a Prevention and Rapid Alert Fund aimed at reducing the risk of natural disasters such as fires, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, droughts, and the drying up of lakes and rivers. Highlights that islands and coastal regions, particularly in the Mediterranean, are especially vulnerable due to climate change. Encourages the Commission and Member States to integrate risk assessments with post-event interventions and immediate alert plans within the framework of disaster prevention strategies. Stresses the importance of acting swiftly to strengthen resilience in the most at-risk areas, ensuring that the Prevention Fund complements existing programs and addresses gaps not covered by the current cohesion policy cycles.
Amendment 165 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 b (new)
Paragraph 33 b (new)
33 b. Emphasizes the need to provide specific support to regions affected by earthquakes or characterized by high seismic risk; proposes to establish a dedicated fund for prevention, risk mitigation, and reconstruction in the affected areas, while simultaneously promoting the dissemination of anti- seismic technologies in construction;
Amendment 166 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 c (new)
Paragraph 33 c (new)
33 c. Emphasizes the crucial role of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) in providing rapid financial assistance to Member States affected by major natural disasters; calls for an increase in the resources allocated to the EUSF to ensure a swift and effective response to emergencies; emphasizes that this increase must be accompanied by a revision of the evaluation and approval procedures to accelerate response times and ensure that funds reach the affected regions promptly; proposes to streamline the application and disbursement processes to facilitate quicker access to funds for affected regions, thereby supporting timely reconstruction and recovery efforts; additionally, calls for ensuring that, in the event of natural calamities, there is extraordinary flexibility in the use of Cohesion Policy funds, allowing for the full utilization and interchange of resources between different funds—namely, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), and the Cohesion Fund—to maximize support for affected areas;
Amendment 169 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Underlines the importance of a stronger Health Union and enhanced preparedness; highlights the vital role that the EU4Health programme plays in this respect; proposes, therefore, to increase the programme’s appropriations by EUR 5170 million above DB to strengthen health resilience and preparedness for future health crises and in support of investments in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, diseases affecting children and improving mental health;
Amendment 172 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34 a. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the fragility of national healthcare systems and the challenges related to the production and supply of medicines and medical devices. In light of these challenges, it is essential to ensure adequate support for the EU4Health program in order to enhance the availability of medicines, medical devices, improving mental health and to strengthen the resilience of national healthcare systems in the face of serious cross-border threats;
Amendment 174 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Reiterates its unwavering support for promoting the learning mobility of young people; proposes to reinforce, against this background, the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes, which play a vital role in supporting learning mobility opportunities, improving people’s skills and employability and promoting social inclusion; emphasises that both programmes aim to boost participation rates among people with fewer opportunities with particular attention to those from regions facing insularity, who may have reduced access to mobility opportunities due to their geographic isolation - an objective that is challenged by soaring inflation and the increased cost of living; is committed to ensuring that Erasmus+ does not become a de facto selective programme open only to those who can afford to participate and recalls that the Commission is required to put in place financial support measures for people with fewer opportunities; proposes, therefore, an increase of EUR 70 million for Erasmus+ (57 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of individuals and groups, and cooperation, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of education and training — Indirect management; 5 million EUR for Promoting non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth; 8 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of sport staff, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organisations and sport policies); insists that the top-up be used to contribute in particular to the programme’s over- arching aim of becoming more accessible, including by providing the necessary increased financial support per participant with fewer opportunities; proposes, moreover, a reinforcement of EUR 1 million for the ESC above DB, specifically to ensure the programme is accessible for all;
Amendment 180 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Underscores the continued socio- economic challenges in the cultural and creative sectors, which are often made up of small organisations and individual artists; underlines the importance of protecting and promoting European cultural heritage as a key element of the Union's identity and values; proposes, therefore, to increase financing for programmes dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of cultural and historical sites, as well as for the promotion of regional traditions and languages; additionally, proposes, therefore, to increase financing for the various strands of the Creative Europe programme by a total of EUR 8 million above the DB;
Amendment 208 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Reiterates its concern about the negative impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on global food security and affordability and about farmers’ ability to withstand inflationary pressure and increased input prices; emphasises the need to help new and young farmers and asks for investments on generational change through aimed funding programs as well as small and medium-sized farmers with additional means and thereby ensure the sustainability of the sector and generational renewal; proposes, therefore, to increase income support to young farmers by EUR 40 million above the DB;
Amendment 209 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43 a. Emphasizes that farmers and rural communities are vital contributors to quality, food security, and the safeguarding of European food sovereignty, and they play a key role in the preservation of rural areas and in countering the depopulation of the most remote areas; it further underscores that they also have a strategic role in zones characterized by high seismic and hydrogeological, and drought risk, and therefore require special support from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP);
Amendment 213 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Underscores the negative impact of droughts and other extreme, climate change induced, weather patterns on the agricultural sectorprimary production, food security and farmers’ income through an agricultural reserve that reflects the needs of the farmers to cope with the adverse climatic events; underlines the importance of the fruit and vegetables sector, of school schemes as well as promotional measures of agricultural products under the Common Agricultural Policy; decides, therefore, to increase the allocation of these budget lines under the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund by a total of EUR 56 million above the DB; emphasises equally the importance of investing in the digitalisation of small and medium-sized farms and the acquisition of equipment to implement good environmental practices in farming and to contribute to environmental sustainability in Union agriculture;
Amendment 217 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44 a. Calls for maintaining an inclusive and strong promotion policy budget of at least 185,9 million to ensure that the policy continues to support all agricultural sectors proportionately, guarantee the competitiveness of agriculture and our food sovereignty and allow the creation of new international markets for the European agricultural products;
Amendment 218 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 b (new)
Paragraph 44 b (new)
44 b. Welcomes the recent CAP simplification package and notes it has no budgetary impact; calls for the prosecution of this package until the end of this programming period and additional measures and resources to address the causes of farmers' discontent throughout the EU in future programming, with the aim of strengthening their position in the agri- food value chain;
Amendment 219 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 c (new)
Paragraph 44 c (new)
44 c. Asks the European Commission that any environmental fund in the future shall not involve financial resources shifted from the CAP;
Amendment 274 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
61. Stresses the importance of the Southern Neighbourhood line in supporting political, economic and social reforms in the region; taking into consideration the increasing humanitarian needs in the region as well as other purposes of regional cooperation in providing assistance to refugees, in particular Syrian and Palestinian refugees, and in enabling support along the southern migration routes; proposes to increase appropriations for the line by EUR 60 million above the DB, including to reinforce funding for UNRWA based on EU regulations and values;
Amendment 275 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 a (new)
Paragraph 61 a (new)
61 a. Emphasizes the importance of strengthening cooperation with African countries, particularly in the areas of sustainable development, migration management, and economic partnership, in line with the existing instruments of enhanced cooperation between EU Member States and African countries, such as the 'Mattei Plan';
Amendment 276 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 b (new)
Paragraph 61 b (new)
61 b. Calls for increased funding and strategic investments in targeted development initiatives for African countries. These investments, in line with the existing instruments of enhanced cooperation between EU Member States and African countries, such as the 'Mattei Plan,' should focus on strengthening infrastructure, education, and economic opportunities, thereby addressing the root causes of irregular migration, combating human trafficking networks, and promoting legal migration pathways, ultimately contributing to a safer and more prosperous Europe and Africa;
Amendment 277 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 c (new)
Paragraph 61 c (new)
61 c. Insists that the Commission must guarantee that EU funds are not allocated or linked to any form of terrorism and/or religious and political radicalisation; reiterates its position that all schoolbooks and school materials supported by Union funds must be in line with UNESCO standards of peace, tolerance, coexistence, and non-violence; is concerned about the antisemitism, hate speech and incitement to jihad and violence taught in Palestinian school textbooks, indirectly funded by the EU; underlines the importance of EU funds to be directed towards the proper training of Palestinian teachers in line with UNESCO education standards; stresses that conditionality of EU financial assistance in the educational sector needs to be duly considered;