Activities of Edina TÓTH related to 2020/2260(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Farm to Fork Strategy (debate)
Amendments (32)
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the fact that the aim of the Farm to Fork Strategy is to establish a sustainable, healthy and resilient food system which benefits consumers in the EU and includes the production, transport, distribution, marketing and consumption of food;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that promoting healthy and sustainable food consumption calls for changes to diets, and production systems and internal trade, which should be supported by harmonised front-of-pack nutritional labelling framework in order to avoid market fragmentation and better enforcement of internal market rules; considers, however, that the 'Farm to Fork' Strategy should be based primarily on a scientific approach, and therefore calls on the European Commission to make a further impact assessment of the effects of the objectives set out in the Strategy;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that the 'Farm to Fork' Strategy is specific in relation to the objectives it seeks to achieve but lacks in relation to the thorough scientific data that should complement the objectives set;
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Considers, in particular, that the ambitious targets set by the Strategy must not result in a reduction or shortage of food production in the European Union; stresses the importance of European self- sufficiency in the production of healthy and affordable food;
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Stresses that many Member States have a long tradition in the meat industry; notes that the goal of moving towards a more plant-based diet with less red and processed meat must not negatively affect supply and consumer’s choice; considers that informed consumer choice is key for transition to a sustainable food system;
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. CStresses that food industry has to be supported in order to increase the availability and affordability of healthy and sustainable food options; calls on the Commission also to step up its support for regional food systems and short supply chains, which act as a source of fresh, and sustainable and better quality products for consumers; takes the view that legislation on European public food procurement should be revised in order to fostersupport healthy and sustainable diets, including organic products, as well as local, high- quality food supply systems;
Amendment 62 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the Commission to promote alternativesustainable production methods and circular business models, such as consumer-friendly cooperative schemes, in food processing and retail, including specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises;
Amendment 78 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. SupportsConsiders that the concept of the establishment of a governance framework and a code of conduct for food and retail businesses, in order to make them accountable and aware of the importance of sustainability and health needs to be further clarified by the European Commission so that food producers and food retail businesses can be aware of the importance of sustainability and health; calls on the Commission to clarify also if the codes of conduct will focus and to which extent on marketing campaigns undertaken by businesses on advertising food products;
Amendment 111 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Emphasizes that the primary purpose of food labelling is to provide clear and accurate information to consumers so that they can make informed purchasing decisions;
Amendment 114 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Notes consumers' views that the existing regulatory framework does not fully allow for clear and easily understandable information on the nutritional value and therefore welcomes the European Commission's intention to explore and propose new ways to improve food nutritional labelling;
Amendment 115 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Stresses that the ‘Farm to Fork’ Strategy, including mandatory front of pack nutrition labelling, provides for other labels that include animal welfare, sustainability and places of origin for certain products categories; considers that in no case should over-labelling confuse customers and therefore stresses the importance of customers education;
Amendment 128 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Regards it as essentialimportant, further, to keep consumers better informed by considering the introducingtion of mandatory origin labelling of foodcertain food products, which wcould be broadened to cover animal welfare, sustainability and pesticide residue levels;
Amendment 132 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Reiterates that dual quality of food products is unacceptable and needs to be fully counteracted to avoid discrimination and misleading of EU consumers; in this regard, calls the Commission to monitor closely the situation on the market and propose targeted legislation when necessary; in addition, stresses the importance to strengthen the role of consumer organisations in identifying potentially misleading branding practices as well as misleading information provided on the packaging;
Amendment 136 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses the need for clearer rules on information on the origin of honey and in the case of honey originating from more than one EU Member State or third country, which, together with better consumer information, would contribute to an even better position for European beekeepers and honey producers;
Amendment 181 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. In order to protect the competitiveness of European businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, and to protect the integrity of the single market, calls on the European Commission to ensure, through a proactive trade and customs policy, that food products imported into the single market comply with strict European food safety regulations;
Amendment 191 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Stresses that water is source of strategic importance for the European consumers, and that delivering a Green deal, which includes ‘Farm to Fork’ Strategy, is impossible without prudent water management; further emphasizes that water suppliers are key to achieving sustainability, but notes the insufficiently ambitious approach to water resources in the Strategy;
Amendment 193 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Stresses that a resistant, secure and reliable food supply chain is the core for ensuring sufficient amount of food products in the cases of pandemics, earthquakes, droughts, flood sand other crisis situations; welcomes, in particular, the European Commission's plan to develop a contingency plan for ensuring food supply and food security in times of crisis; further calls on the European Commission to examine the level of self- sufficiency of the Member States and the European Union as a whole in food production and to report to the European Parliament without delay;
Amendment 196 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 d (new)
Paragraph 11 d (new)
11d. Points out that over-packaging of food is an important issue that needs EU attention and action as it has consequences for consumers, affects shipping costs, and also has an adverse impact on the environment; reiterates its call on the European Commission to clarify the concept of unnecessary packaging and over-packaging.
Amendment 487 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the farm to fork strategy as an important step in ensuring a 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 societies and a healthy planet, encourages the Commission to translate the strategy into concrete legislative and non-legislative action as soon as possible; stresses that, in accordance with the rules of Union decision-making mechanisms, additional agricultural objectives of the farm to fork strategy shall not hinder ongoing legislative interinstitutional negotiations of the Common Agricultural Policy;
Amendment 704 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 920 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the importance of recognising the significant impact of agriculture and especially animal production onat agriculture is essential for humankind; stresses that agriculture and forestry plays a crucial role in addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation; underlines that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and land use; stresses thin agriculture have nbeed to enhance natural carbon sinks and reduce agricultural emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, in particular inn significantly reduced; notes however that these emissions are linked to natural processes; highlights the fneed and livestock sectors; calls forto enhance natural carbon sinks; stresses that any regulatory measures and targets to ensure progressive reductions in all GHG emissions related to GHG emissions in agriculture must bear in mind these sectors three pillars of sustainability;
Amendment 1024 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that extensive and permanent grassland-based or organic animal husbandry, even extensive freshwater aquaculture, is a feature of the European food system and a defining element of many traditional rural communities, and that it has multiple positive effects for the environment and against climate change, and contributes to a circular economy;
Amendment 1096 #
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 models 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 1160 #
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 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 and taking into account the precautionary principle, also ensuring the safety of these techniques and products thereof to humans, animals and the environment, in order to contribute to healthy seeds and protect plants against harmful pests and diseases; raises awareness of the potential negative effects of concentration and monopolisation in the seed sector;
Amendment 1308 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that the European food system delivers a sufficient and varied supply of safe, nutritious, affordable and sustainable food to people considering their living standards and traditional cuisine at all times and underlines that increasing the economic, environmental and social sustainability of food producers will ultimately increase their resilience; encourages the Commission to consider the food supply chain and its workers as a strategic asset for the safety and well-being of all Europeans;
Amendment 1339 #
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 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 the importance of marine and freshwater aquaculture in the sustainable food production; 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 1548 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Urges the review 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 nutrition and promoting greater consumption of fruit and vegetablesa more balanced diet with the aim of reducing obesity rates; stresses that this policy shall ensure promotion opportunities for all agricultural products.
Amendment 1661 #
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 and stresses that a robust set of nutrient profiles must be developed to restrict or prohibitstresses the importance of nutrient profiles which aim is to avoid the use of false nutritional claims on foods high in fats, sugars and/or salt; calls for a mandatoryn EU-wide front-of- pack nutrition labelling system based on independent science bearing in mind the specificities of product groups; emphasises that the implementation of any further information to be provided to the consumer must be accompanied by appropriately funded awareness raising campaigns in order to achieve their goals;
Amendment 1684 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Highlights that the origin indications must be clear and transparent; recalls that the rules of origin labelling of honey blends must be updated 1a; underlines that this is needed to support the work of European beekeepers whose role in the enhancement of biodiversity and securing food security is of utmost importance; therefore calls on the Commission to open the Directive on honey (2001/110/EC) in order to prevent misleading consumers and establish fair marketing practices; _________________ 1aProspects and challenges for the EU apiculture sector, (European Parliament resolution of 1 March 2018 on prospects and challenges for the EU apiculture sector (2017/2115(INI))
Amendment 1780 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the fact that the strategy rightly recognises the role and influence of the food environment in shaping consumption patterns and the need to make it easier for consumers to choose healthy and sustainable dietsy produced food; reiterates the importance of promoting sustainable healthy diets by raising consumer awareness of the impacts of consumption patterns and providing information on diets that are better for human health and have a lower environmental footprint; stresses however that these diets must be acceptable from social and cultural point of view and from economic point of view accessible for the consumers; underlines that food prices must send the right signal to consumers; welcomes, therefore, the strategy’s objective that the healthy and sustainable choice should become the most affordable one;
Amendment 1926 #
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 is a way of effectively addressing many of the environmental and climate challenges that EU agriculture is facing, as well as preventing deforestation in countries outside the EU; calls on the Commission to build upon the report on "The development of plant proteins in the European Union" and to work on an EU action plan on proteins based on a wide approach and building coherence between the different EU policies;
Amendment 2189 #
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 accounthighlights that joint action taken by local communities and development actors with competence in agriculture must be based on the rural traditions taking into account the existing ownership relations and the local agricultural needs; notes that the development of local production, distribution networks ensure local consumption, short food supply chains and increase environmental resilience; welcomes the Commission’s intention to take the environmental impacts of requested import tolerances into account; calls on the Commission that in order to avoid outsourcing the environmental footprint to third countries a thorough ex- ante impact assessment is needed; notes that the objectives of the farm to fork strategy are endangering food security in Europe in their current form;