46 Amendments of Mairead McGUINNESS related to 2017/2116(INI)
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas, historically, the European deficit in protein crops dates back to old international trade agreements, especially with the United States, which allowed the European Community to protect its cereal production but in return allowed duty-free imports of protein crops and oilseeds into the Union (GATT and 1992 Blair House Agreement); whereas this was accompanied by significant progress in the efficiency of protein crop production in third countries, leading to a competitive disadvantage for EU farmers, for whom protein crop production is not sufficiently attractive from an economic point of view;
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A a (new)
Recital -A a (new)
-Aa. whereas, consequently, the Union devotes only 3% of its arable land to protein crops and imports more than 75% of its vegetable protein supply, mainly from Brazil, Argentina and the United States;
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A b (new)
Recital -A b (new)
-Ab. whereas total European production of protein-rich matter rose from 24.2 to 36.3 million tonnes (+50%) between 1994 and 2014, but whereas at the same time consumption increased from 39.7 million tonnes to 57.1 million tonnes (+44%); whereas the Union’s overall deficit (20.8 tonnes in 2014) is therefore increasing;
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A c (new)
Recital -A c (new)
-Ac. whereas livestock sectors in the Union are extremely sensitive to price volatility and distortion of competition and are dependent on imports of affordable and high quality vegetable protein, which poses a real challenge for European farms;
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the European Union is still suffering from a major deficit in vegetable proteins, which has regrettably seen little improvement despite the many intentions announced, and initiatives taken, on this topic for more than 15 years; whereas the present-day context means that we should be taking more energetic action; whereas the EU's current importation of vegetable proteins (mainly soya) from South America is unsustainable and must be addressed without delay;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the promotion of protein crop cultivation is a powerful tool in the transition towards more sustainable agri-food systems, supporting a shift from input-intensive crop monoculture towards diversified agro-ecological systemsRecalls that the EU imports approximately 70% of protein-rich animal feed; Believes that the promotion of protein crop cultivation is necessary in order to reduce our import dependency;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the fact that protein crops include not only soybeansa, but also grain and forage legumes, which can be grown in a diverse range of agro-climatic and soil conditions across Europe; notes that protein crops are used for food, in animal feed and as fuel;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas it is necessary to adopt a more comprehensive analysis of the protein issue in Europe so as to maximise the number of instruments at our disposal for boosting the effectiveness of action to reduce our dependence on imported vegetable proteins;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas proteins are at the core of the challenges of food safeecurity, environmental protection and global warming; whereas they are essential to life and are present in all foods consumed by both humans and animals; whereas protein crops can be beneficial for the environment due to their potential to contribute to greater biodiversity, fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, improve soil quality and reduce disease levels from continuous monocropping;
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 2 – point 1 (new)
(1) Recalls that the BSE crisis in the 1990s and the ban on using processed animal proteins in animal feed, as established in Regulation (EC) No 999/2001, has increased demand for plant-based protein in Europe; notes that alternative European protein feed sources such as fishmeal are used in the European fish farming sector;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that protein crops have a wide range of environmental benefits, such as being ablethe ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, usrequiring less use of fossil fuel-based fertilisers, improving soil propertiesquality, reducing disease levels and protecting biodiversityfrom continued monocropping, and protecting biodiversity; notes that reducing the use of mineral fertilisers contributes to reducing CO2 emissions coming from the production of fertilisers;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that the EU relies on massive imports of protein-rich feed matStresses that overdependence on soy imports from the Americals, for the most part genetically modified soya, which may give rise to serious environmental problems in source countriescombined with increased soy protein demand from China, places Europe’s security of supply in a vulnerable position particularly in the context of increased demand due to an increasing global population and rising meat consumption;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas in recent years China has become the world’s largest importer of soya and has launched a genuine security of supply strategy for itself which could threaten our own supplies tomorrow;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the development of agriculture in the past 50 yearpendence on imports of vegetable proteins from the Americas has given rise to the large-scale long-distance transport of raw materials for the production of vegetable and meat proteins which is now causing problems forcan have a negative impact on the environment and the climate;
Amendment 72 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that the CAP has a decisive impact on farmers’ decisions to grow protein crops and should therefore be used to its full potential; notes that in order to incentivise farmers to grow protein crops this activity must be financially viable;
Amendment 76 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 6 – point 1 (new)
(1) Notes that the introduction of a coupled payment for protein crops has contributed to increased production in Member States that apply coupled support;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas in order to reduce the EU’s dependencey on outside supplierimports of vegetable proteins, it is necessary to focus on not only on protein-rich crops but also on all other crops (including in forage and grassland areas) which, while they have a lesser protein content, are extensively cultivated throughout the Union;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas there is a need today for a strategic, effective and ambitious protein supply plan to be implemented for the sustainable development of European agriculture; whereas such a plan requires the mobilisation of several EU policies, first and foremost the CAP; whereas legal certainty and the stability and coherence of European public policies are essential parts of any credible long-term protein strategy;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas in recent decades the Union has used three main levers to support the objective of European protein independence, namely voluntary coupled aid for protein and oilseed crops, EU biofuel policy and the conditionality of 30% of direct support introduced by the last reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in relation to the implementation of greening measures, including the obligation to devote 5% of arable land to ecological focus areas (EFAs) and the decision to allow nitrogen-fixing crops and catch crops;
Amendment 93 #
Ic. whereas protein crop cultivation can participate fully in the circular economy by producing, on the one hand, meal used in animal feed and, on the other hand, vegetable oils or other by- products used in biofuels; whereas the production of rapeseed meal has doubled since 2004, with 9.3 million tonnes being directly attributable to biofuel production in the EU;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the proteins research policy should be stepped up and extended over the, owing to the small share of protein crop cultivation in the EU, the number of vegetable protein research programmes is falling, matched by a decline in training, innovation and the acquisition of practical experience in the EU; whereas the proteins research policy should be stepped up but would only succeed if it is backed by medium- to long -term political commitments;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas supporting plant breeding activities will be important to develop new varieties of protein crops that can contribute to higher EU protein production; whereas effective plant breeding activities require a sufficiently funded long term research policy and a suitable regulatory environment that encourages innovation;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Recital J b (new)
Jb. whereas the Commission has already funded, and is in the process of funding, a number of relevant projects, including those under the heading “SFS- 44-2016: A joint plant breeding programme to decrease the EU's and China's dependency on protein imports”; whereas appropriate communication, dissemination and exploitation of the results of such projects should be ensured so that future policy decisions in this field are based on evidence;
Amendment 103 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights that legumes are an important source of plant-based protein and therefore that they also play an important role in ensuring sustainable and healthy human diets;
Amendment 108 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the need for heavy investment in research to solve at global low protein prices, challenging climate conditions, high input costs and competition from GM protein crops coming from outside Europe are challenges to be addressed; calls for further pressing agronomic issues that are limiting protein crop cultivationearch focusing on developing high yield protein crop varieties, with high protein content and low alkaloid levels;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes the view that it is time to implement a major strategic European vegetable protein supply plan based on the sustainable development of all the crops grown throughout the EU; further takes the view that this change implies a substantial alteration of our production systems to meet the requirements of the circular economy and of agroecology; sustainable farming production;
Amendment 121 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that knowledge dissemination, the exchange of good practices and market development are also sorely in need of investment.; emphasises the importance of local and regional knowledge of soils and suitable legume varieties;
Amendment 122 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 12 – point 1 (new)
(1) Stresses the need for innovation and development into management practices and techniques to combat weeds, pests and other factors that may negatively impact crop yield and growth;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses that increased global demand for protein combined with the EU’s over reliance on importing vegetable protein from the Americas places Europe’s security of supply in a vulnerable position;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers it advisable to develop local and regional protein production and processing chains by creating closer links between cerealarable crop farmers and livestock farmers (supply and exchange contracts), to exchange knowledge on suitable legume varieties and soils and deems it useful, to that end, to assist risk- taking by operators entering smalldirect supply chains for protein- based food and feed; in particular highlights the importance of direct contracts between growers and animal feed producers;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Encourages promoting the production of high-quality, GMO-free varieties of proteins by improving their traceability and labelling;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers it necessary to support the self-sufficiency in feed of farms at farm and regional level for ruminants as well as for monogastric animals (including on- farm feed production);
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Considers it desirable to minimise harvest losses and increase nutritional value by improving harvesting and storage conditions (drying, wrapping, etc.), storage and processing systems; highlights the need for farmers to have a coherent toolbox when it comes to plant protection products;
Amendment 227 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Takes the view that in order to enhance protein production it is necessary to increase the profitability of these crops and rotate crops (over a minimum of three years) and increase mixing of varieties and crops in the pulse (clover/rape, triticale/peas etc.) and forage (leguminous grasses, meslins, etc.) production sectors;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for research work to begin on: selection of new varieties and species that give flexibility to farmers to adapt to climate change; resilience to stress; crop mixing; improvement of the yields, protein content and digestibility of animal feed (sprouted seeds, etc.); and biostimulants; management practices and techniques to combat pests, weeds and other factors that may negatively impact crop yield and growth;
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recommends greater use of precision agriculture in order to adjust, such as digitalisation, to formulate plant nitrogeutrition supplements and animal feed rations as accurately as possible so as to limit wastage and some types of pollution;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls for heavy investment in research, including varietal research, to improve the technical performance of these crops and solve the pressing agronomic issues that are limiting protein crop cultivation, such as the stabilisation of yields in the face of changes in climatic conditions;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Underlines the need for a regulatory framework that supports research and innovation programmes to achieve increased and competitive protein production;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Takes the view that this plan calls for the mobilisation and coordination of several EU policies: the CAP, research policy, environmental and climate action policy; the neighbourhood policy and trade policy;
Amendment 267 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Notes that the production of protein/leguminous crops must be financially viable in order to encourage farmers to grow these crops;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers it important for the CAP to support protein crop cultivation by means of the voluntary coupled payment (which, if should not be restricted to crops and regions in difficulty, and would give scope for more action) and, the greening payment, and by means of the second pillar, particularly through agro-environmental measures on organic farming and other types of farming, investment quality, advice, training and of course innovation via the EIP; highlights that the introduction of a coupled payment has driven protein crop production in some Member States;
Amendment 283 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the Member States to make full use of the support available under voluntary coupled aid, as currently only 16 Member States made use of such possibility (11% of EU aid covering 4.3 million hectares);
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Welcomes the fact that, in the context of the omnibus revision of the Common Agricultural Policy, Parliament obtained a revaluation of the conversion coefficient for nitrogen-fixing crops from 0.7 to 1 in compensation for the ban on the use of pesticides in Ecological Focus Areas;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Feels it is relevConsiders it important tohat the future of the CAP to: considerCAP takes account of additional proposals to support proteins, such as those for three- year-minimum rotation systems; in that regard, highlights that Member States where wet weather diseases are prominent may need a longer rotational period; create an ecosystem payment that is more flexible than the greening payment so as to encourage sustainable agricultural practices; provide risk-taking mechanisms for innovators; and open up a proteins sub- priority in the rural development policy;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for research efforts, particularly for public research, to be stepped up into under-developed protein crops which are of little or no interest to private investors; calls for greater cooperation between public and private research institutions;
Amendment 321 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Takes the view that it is necessary to secure our soya supplies by cooperating more closely with our neighbourhood, in particularfor example with Ukraine, which has opted for Europe and which produces soya that could be brought into the EU via the Danube; stresses that countries should integrate the same requirements and standards that EU farmers adhere to;