2021/2177(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. ~~having regard to the Conventions of the International Labour Organization,~~ Having regard to: - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning the Age for Admission of Children to Employment in Agriculture; - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise; - the International Labour Organisation Convention; - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning Equal Remuneration for Men and Women Workers for Work of Equal Value - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour; - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning Tripartite Consultations to Promote the Implementation of International Labour Standards; - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning the Creation of Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery; - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning the Protection of Workers against Occupational Hazards in the Working Environment Due to Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration; - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning Occupational Safety and Health and the Working Environment; - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning Workmen's Compensation in Agriculture; - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning Workmen's Compensation for Occupational Diseases - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning Compulsory Invalidity Insurance for Persons Employed in Industrial or Commercial Undertakings, in the Liberal Professions, and for Outworkers and Domestic Servants, as amended by the Convention concerning Compulsory Widows' and Orphans' Insurance for Persons Employed in Agricultural Undertakings; - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning Minimum Standards of Social Security; - the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning Medical Care and Sickness Benefits,

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)

B b. Having regard to the Commission communication of 18 February entitled “ Trade Policy Review - An Open, Sustainable and Assertive Trade Policy” (COM(2021) 66 final),

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Recital Б b (new)

Bb. whereas Annex IX to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 still does not include India, or list germinal products from India as being authorised for import into the EU;

Amendment 12 #

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Recital B c (new)

B c. - Regulation (EU) No 511/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on compliance measures for users from the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation in the Union and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1866 of 13 October 2015 laying down implementing rules as regards the register of collections, user compliance monitoring and best practices; - Regulation (EC) No 1946/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2003 on transboundary movements of genetically modified organisms; - Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013 of 3 April 2013 on applications for authorisation of genetically modified food and feed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulations (EC) No 641/2004 and (EC) No 1981/2006; - Directive (EU) 2015/412 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015 amending Directive 2001/18/EC as regards the possibility for the Member States to restrict or prohibit the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their territory; - Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals; - Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC; - Council Directive 96/22/EC of 29 April 1996 concerning the prohibition on the use in stockfarming of certain substances having a hormonal or thyrostatic action and of ß-agonists, and repealing Directives 81/602/EEC, 88/146/EEC and 88/299/EEC; - Regulation (EU) 2019/6 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on veterinary medicinal products; - Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code,

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Recital B c (new)

B c. Having regard to the WTO’s condemnation of India’s sugar subsidies in its recent panel report “India – Measures Concerning Sugar and Sugarcane”,

Amendment 14 #

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Recital B d (new)

B d. Having regard to the EU regulation 1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and food stuffs, EU regulation 664/2014 on the logos to be used for PDOs, PGIs and TSGs, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) on how regulation (EU) No1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs should be applied, EU implementing regulation 2019/34 regarding applications for protection of designations of origin, geographical indications and traditional terms in the wine sector, EU delegated regulation 2019/33 supplementing regulation 1308/2013 regarding applications for protection of designations of origin, geographical indications and traditional terms in the wine sector, EU regulation 1308/2013 on establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products, EU regulation 1306/2013 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy, EU regulation 606/2009 on rules governing categories of grapevine products, oenological practices and applicable restrictions, EU regulation 555/2008 on the implementation of EU regulation 479/2008 on the common organisation of the market in wine for support programmes, trade with third countries, production potential and controls in the wine sector, EU regulation 2018/273 on vine plantings, the vineyard register, accompanying documents and certification, the inward and outward register and compulsory declarations, EU Regulation 2019/787 on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs, EU Regulation 2021/1235 supplementing EU Regulation 2019/787 concerning applications for registration of geographical indications of spirit drinks, amendments to product specifications,cancellation of the registration and the register, EU Regulation 2021/1236 implementing EU Regulation 2019/787 on applications for registration of geographical indications of spirit drinks, the opposition procedure, amendments to product specifications, cancellation of the registration, EU regulation 251/2014 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of aromatised wine products,

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Highlights that any potential trade and investment cooperation agreement should include ambitious provisions on an enforceable Trade and Sustainable Development chapter aligned with the Paris Agreement;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Highlights the huge potential of increased market access for farmers, amongst others for cheese, olive oil, wines and spirits producers;

Amendment 17 #

Ivan DAVID

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that the Ministerial Conference has repeatedly reproached India for ~~non-compliance with ILO conventions, including in the field of agriculture;~~the violation by the country's farms of international legal obligations: - widespread abuse of child labour; - failure to apply principles of equal pay for equal work; - failure to comply with measures to protect life and health in the workplace; - widespread and systematic exploitation of workers, who receive unduly low wages for their labour; - employment of workers without adequate healthcare and social security coverage.

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that the Ministerial Conference has repeatedly reproached India for non-compliance with ILO conventions, including in the field of agriculture and regrets the unambitious positions adopted by India at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26);

Amendment 19 #

1. ~~Recalls that the Ministerial Conference has repeatedly reproached India for non-compliance~~Encourages India to continue its alignment with the ILO cConventions, ~~including in the field of agriculture~~especially as regards Health in Agriculture, the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining;

Amendment 2 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Paolo DE CASTRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Pina PICIERNO

Draft opinion
Recital B

B. hHaving regard to: - the Convention on Biological Diversity ~~(CBD)~~, as amended by the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation; - the Convention on Biological Diversity, as amended by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety,

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that ~~the Ministerial Conference has repeatedly reproached India~~India has been reproached at ILO Ministerial Conferences for non-compliance with ILO conventions, including in the field of agriculture;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Recalls that the agricultural sector is a significant part of the Indian economy, and accounts for 41% of Indian employment; stresses that the poverty rate in rural India is at 25%, twice that of its urban areas1a; _________________ 1a EPRS, "EU-India Trade Relations - assessment and perspectives," page 10. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/ etudes/IDAN/2021/653646/EXPO_IDA(2 021)653646_EN.pdf

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1 b. Highlights the sensitivity of certain agricultural sectors in both the EU and India alike; notes in particular that, although India is one of the largest milk producers globally, its dairy sector is nevertheless considered sensitive;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1 c. Stresses the need for the EU to champion human rights and the right to food as a central principle and priority of food systems and as a fundamental tool to transform food systems and ensure the rights of the most marginalised to access nutritious foods and to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas;

Amendment 24 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Paolo DE CASTRO, Pina PICIERNO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Draws attention to the fact that India’s legal order al~~low~~so regulates the cultivation of genetically modified organisms for the purpose of processing them into food and feed, with only genetically modified cotton and soybean currently permitted for cultivation; Recalls that the importation of genetically modified organisms is governed by Directive 2001/18/EC; Stresses the need to ensure that the parties respect the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity;

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Draws attention to the fact that~~Notes that while India’s legal order allows the cultivation of genetically modified organisms for the purpose of processing them into food and feed, its GMO regime is similar to the EU’s in terms of rigorousness and strictness;

Amendment 26 #

Ivan DAVID, Gilles LEBRETON, Mara BIZZOTTO, Elena LIZZI

2. Draws attention to the fact that India’s legal order, unlike the EU's legal order, allows the cultivation of genetically modified organisms for the purpose of processing them into food and feed;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Draws attention to~~Notes the fact that India~~’s legal order~~ does not allows the cultivation of genetically modified ~~organisms for the purpose of processing them into food and feed~~edible crops, although it does allow the cultivation of genetically modified cotton;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Draws attention to the fact that India’s legal order imposes less stringent restrictions on the agricultural use of hormonal and antimicrobial preparation~~Welcomes India's stance in adopting effectively stringent regulations concerning the use of hormonal and anti- microbial preparations, in order to address the animal and human health concerns and notes the importance to progress decisively in banning all antibiotics and veterinary drugs that do not conform with the CODEX standards;

Amendment 29 #

Ivan DAVID, Gilles LEBRETON, Mara BIZZOTTO, Elena LIZZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Draws attention to the fact that India’s legal order imposes much less stringent restrictions, when compared with the EU's legal order, on the agricultural and veterinary use of hormonal and antimicrobial preparations;

Amendment 3 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Paolo DE CASTRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Pina PICIERNO

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

Ba. having regard to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 of 24 March 2021 laying down the lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof from which the entry into the Union of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin is permitted in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council;

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Draws attention to the fact that India’s legal order seems to imposes less stringent restrictions on the agricultural use of hormonal and antimicrobial preparations, while underlining that exports to the EU of products not in compliance with EU rules in these areas remain forbidden;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Draws attention to the fact that, in many cases, India imposes animal welfare requirements that are less strict than the European Union counterpart, notably as concerns cage sizes for laying hens, and elements of calf and dairy cattle welfare (tethering, tail docking); Highlights nevertheless that, as in the EU, surveys show that the population is similarly concerned for animal welfare; Recommends that the EU and India develop a cooperation mechanism on animal welfare, covering all animals, to exchange knowledge and undertake capacity building programs, in order to improve the standards and implementation of both parties;

Amendment 32 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Paolo DE CASTRO, Pina PICIERNO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Draws attention to the need to strike a balance between, on the one hand, boosting EU-India trade relations and, on the other hand, full compliance by both parties with EU economic, social, environmental, health, safety and quality standards, with a view to protecting European citizens and preventing unfair competition on the internal market;

Amendment 33 #

~~4. Recalls that, under India’s legal order, multinational corporations can abuse patent protection for plants and animals to exploit farmers to a level comparable to slavery;~~deleted

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls that~~, under India’s legal order, multinational corporations can abuse patent protection for plants and animals to exploit farmers to a level comparable to slavery~~ the Commission, in discussion with trade partners, should not seek to enforce stricter intellectual property rights and enforcement thereof for plants, in particular seeds, and animals; considers that this can result notably in restrictions on farmers' choice in seed saving and sharing; highlights that this freedom to save and share seeds is particularly important in developing countries as well as countries where agriculture constitutes a significant source of income and employment, such as India;

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls that, under India’s legal order, multinational corporations holding intellectual property rights to genetically modified organisms can abuse patent protection for plants and animals to exploit farmers to a level comparable to slavery;

Amendment 36 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Paolo DE CASTRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Pina PICIERNO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Recalls that, under India’s legal order, multinational corporations can abuse patent protectio~~Underlines the importance of further developing Indian's Patent Law, in for ~~plants and animals to exploit farmers to a level comparable to slavery~~der to strengthen farmers' creativity, through copyright protection;

Amendment 37 #

Anne SANDER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that the above circumstances give Indian companies and multinational corporations involved in trading in Indian agricultural products and foodstuffs an unfair competitive advantage over EU farmers that can be classified as dumping; stresses that Indian environmental and social standards are much less stringent than those of the European Union, particularly in the agricultural sector;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that ~~the above circumstances~~any greater market access in an FTA to Indian agricultural products should not result in giveing Indian companies and multinational corporations involved in trading in Indian agricultural products and foodstuffs an unfair competitive advantage over EU farmers ~~that can be classified as dumping~~due to lower standards not in compliance with international law;

Amendment 39 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Paolo DE CASTRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Pina PICIERNO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that the above circumstances give Indian companies and multinational corporations involved in trading in Indian agricultural products and foodstuffs an unfair competitive advantage over EU farmers that can be classified as dumpingin the trade of agricultural products and foodstuffs, equal standards should be ensured between EU and Indian farmers;

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

B a. having regard to the political and commercial significance of improving relations with India – a strategic partner of the EU- in the field of trade including the field of agriculture, food and GIs, which an FTA will greatly enhance;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that the above circumstances give Indian companies and multinational corporations involved in trading in Indian agricultural products and foodstuffs an unfair competitive advantage over EU farmers that can be classified as dumpingrespect to international rules and fair practices can optimise bilateral Trade, while it must be ensured that the EU farmers will never be in a position of competitive disadvantage;

Amendment 41 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Paolo DE CASTRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Pina PICIERNO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Stresses that the EU must ensure that, within the framework of the cooperation agreement with India, the level of mutual cooperation is improved and that all EU economic, social, environmental, health, safety and quality standards are respected by both parties;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Recalls the existing high value duties imposed by India on several EU agricultural products (wine, citrus fruits, olive oil, dairy products, fruit and vegetables) as well as the high number of non-tariff barriers applied by India on the import of EU agricultural products;

Amendment 43 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Paolo DE CASTRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Pina PICIERNO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5a. Draws attention to the need for imports from India, and especially agri- food products, to meet EU health, safety and quality standards, including those relating to the use of hormones, antibiotics and genetically modified organisms;

Amendment 44 #

Ivan DAVID, Gilles LEBRETON, Mara BIZZOTTO, Elena LIZZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that, as a result of the above circumstances, the EU-India agricultural and food trade balance last year reached a deficit of EUR 1.8 billion, and that, since the negotiation of the post-Uruguay Round amendment to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), imbalances in agricultural trade between the EU and India isare steadily increasing;

Amendment 45 #

6. Notes that, ~~as a result of the above circumstances~~, the EU-India agricultural and food trade balance last year reached a deficit of EUR 1.8 billion, ~~and~~while that imbalances in agricultural trade ~~between the EU and India is steadily increasing~~remained stable in the last decade, so there is an interest for the EU producers to be able to access the Indian market to redress/address this imbalance;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that, as a result of the above circumstances, the EU-India agricultural and food trade balance last year reached a deficit of EUR 1.8 billion~~, and that imbalances in agricultural trade between the EU and India is steadily increasing~~;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that~~, as a result of the above circumstances,~~ the EU-India agricultural and food trade balance last year reached a deficit of EUR 1.8 billion, ~~and~~which reflects a relatively symmetrical trade balance, notes that this imbalances in agricultural trade between the EU and India is ~~steadily increasing~~also relatively stable;

Amendment 48 #

Ivan DAVID, Gilles LEBRETON, Mara BIZZOTTO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that~~, as a result of the above circumstances,~~ the EU-India agricultural and food trade balance last year reached a deficit of EUR 1.8 billion, and that imbalances in agricultural trade between the EU and India is steadily increasing;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Recalls that the EU and India have not reached an agreement on the mutual recognition of GIs and that, while the EU recognises all 368 Indian GIs, India respects only 8 of the 3 400 GIs recognised in the EU;

Amendment 5 #

Ba. Noting that agriculture, the source of subsistence for almost half of the Indian population, is strongly characterised by outdated production practices that are not in line with European standards;

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Reiterates the need to protect EU citizens from agricultural products from third countries that fall short of European standards;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6 b. Recalls that economic research has shown that it is multinational corporations, which avoid paying proper taxes at the point of production and sale, which profit from the liberalisation of the international trade in agricultural products and foodstuffs rather than farmers;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Hopes that the future agreement between the EU and India will contain a commitment to ensure greater social and environmental sustainability in the agricultural sector;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6 c. Stresses that India is a valuable supplier for the EU of tropical and subtropical agricultural commodities, which cannot be grown in the EU due to natural conditions, and of food produced from them;

Amendment 54 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Paolo DE CASTRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Pina PICIERNO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission to negotiate a separate agreement on the protection of geographical indications before negotiating an EU-India trade agreement to ensure proper recognition and protection by India of European geographical indications;

Amendment 55 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission to negotiate a separate agreement on the protection of geographical indications ~~before negotiating an EU-India trade agreement~~, stresses that the conclusion of the trade agreement and the investment agreement between the EU-India should be conditional on the latter;

Amendment 56 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Calls on~~Notes that the Commission tois negotiat~~e a~~ing a potential separate agreement on the protection of geographical indications ~~before negotiating an~~launched at the May 2021 EU- India ~~trade agreemen~~summit;

Amendment 57 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Calls on the Commission to negotiate a separat~~Notes that there is consensus between EU and India to negotiate, in parallel to the trade agreement, on ~~the protection~~e separate agreement ofn geographical indications ~~before negotiating an EU-India trade agreement~~;

Amendment 58 #

Mazaly AGUILAR

7a. Urges the Commission to carry out a study of the possible economic impact of this agreement, bearing in mind that agriculture and stockbreeding in India are not subject to EU regulations that increase the costs of production in Europe, possibly subjecting it to unfair competition, as has already been the case regarding other agreements with third countries;

Amendment 59 #

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls on the Commission to work towards a comprehensive list of EU geographical indications for inclusion in the EU’s negotiating mandate for the agreement with India and enabling all Member States that have registered geographical indication products to include as many of their products (food, beverages and agricultural products) as possible on that list;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

B a. 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)0381),

Amendment 60 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls on the Commission to ensure, within the framework of the negotiations on the EU-India cooperation agreement, that commitments in respect of environmental, labour, climate and high safety and quality standards are binding on both sides;

Amendment 61 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission not to negotiate a reduction in the existing tariff and non-tariff protection of the EU’s common internal market for agricultural products that can be grown in the EU and for foodstuffs produced from them; Highlights the need to assess the social and gender implications of any proposed agreement, particularly as concerns the partner's freedom to adopt and adapt government procurement rules and tariff levels, as these are not only economic but also social and developmental policy tools;

Amendment 62 #

Ivan DAVID, Gilles LEBRETON, Mara BIZZOTTO, Elena LIZZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to take into account the legitimate interests of European farmers when negotiating a trade agreement with India and not to negotiate a reduction in the existing tariff and non-tariff protection of the EU’s common internal market for agricultural products that can be grown in the EU and for foodstuffs produced from them;

Amendment 63 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Paolo DE CASTRO, Pina PICIERNO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission ~~not to negotiate a~~to optimise EU agricultural exports to India, by promoting an agreement, based on reciprocity concerning the reduction in the existing tariff and non-tariff protection of the EU’s common internal market ~~for~~and by protecting the agricultural products that ~~can be~~ grown in the EU and ~~for~~ foodstuffs produced from them;

Amendment 64 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Calls on the Commission not to negotiate a reduction in the existing tariff and non-tariff protection~~Notes that the trade agreement is a real opportunity to gain access to this major and rapidly growing market and calls ofn the ~~EU’s common internal market for agricultural products that can be grown in the EU and for foodstuffs produced from them~~Commission to negotiate a reduction or removal of the existing tariff for the EU agricultural products;

Amendment 65 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Paolo DE CASTRO, Pina PICIERNO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the text of the agreement - as consistently done in previous EU FTAs - provides protection of the EU’s common internal market by preventing: (i) the importation of non- authorized genetically modified organisms in foodstuffs, feed and seeds; (ii) the importation of agricultural products and foodstuffs with higher levels of pesticide residues than ~~provid~~allowed for in EU law, through systemic application of EU rules on MRLs; (iii) the importation of agricultural products and foodstuffs in whose production hormonal preparations which are banned in the EU have been used; (iv) the introduction of antimicrobial- resistant strains of microbes.

Amendment 66 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission to ~~ensure that the text of the agreement provides protection of the EU’s common internal market by preventing: (i) the importation of~~agree with India on a text, which will ensure that there will continue having no imports to the EU of: (i) genetically modified organisms in foodstuffs, feed and seeds; (ii) ~~the importation of~~ agricultural products and foodstuffs with higher levels of pesticide residues than provided for in EU law; (iii) ~~the importation of~~ agricultural products and foodstuffs in whose production hormonal preparations, which are banned in the EU have been used; (iv) ~~the introduction of~~ antimicrobial-resistant strains of microbes.

Amendment 67 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission to ensure th~~at the text of the agreement provides protection~~e protection and upholding of the EU’s common internal market ~~by preventing~~standards in particular as concerns: (i) the importation of genetically modified organisms in foodstuffs, feed and seeds, governed by Directive 2001/18; (ii) the importation of agricultural products and foodstuffs with higher levels of pesticide residues than provided for in EU law; (iii) the importation of agricultural products and foodstuffs in whose production hormonal preparations which are banned in the EU have been used; (iv) the introduction of antimicrobial-resistant strains of microbes.

Amendment 68 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Paolo DE CASTRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Pina PICIERNO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Considers that the EU should support developing countries to help them reduce the imprudent use of pesticides and promote other methods to protect plants and fishery resources; notes, in this respect, that agri-food products from non- EU countries must be subject to the same requirements as domestic producers, including zero-tolerance of residues of substances meeting the cut-off criteria;

Amendment 69 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Draws attention to the fact that the trade agreement will require both parties to make robust commitments on both the social and environmental aspects of sustainability including the relevant ILO conventions, the decent work agenda, key environmental conventions including the Paris Cop21 commitments on climate change, and cooperation on animal welfare;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

B a. - the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade;

Amendment 70 #

Anne SANDER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Recalls that, on 14 December 2021, India incurred WTO disapproval on account of the enormous subsidies granted for its sugar production and export activities; believes that the European Union should adopt a cautious approach in trade negotiations with India, particularly in the agricultural sector;

Amendment 71 #

Jérémy DECERLE, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Calls on the Commission to examine, in consultation with the Member States concerned, the possibility of certification on scientific and/or production bases for imports of germinal products of bovine animals (including buffalo), so as to open up scientific development and production opportunities;

Amendment 72 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Calls, in accordance with the Farm to fork strategy, that any future trade agreement between India and the European Union should include a dedicated framework on sustainable agri- food systems and products;

Amendment 73 #

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Recalls that India continues in protectionist policies regulating exports and constantly imposing import restrictions and technical barriers to trade;

Amendment 74 #

Anne SANDER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Calls therefore for the suspension of the 10 000 MT CXL quota for Indian sugar, as a review of subsidies that breach WTO rules is not being envisaged;

Amendment 75 #

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9 b. Notes that, as a result of the above circumstances, the EU-India agricultural and food trade balance last year reached a deficit of EUR 1.8 billion;

Amendment 76 #

Jérémy DECERLE, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9 b. Insists that any new trade agreement must be built in a way that respects the food security of both India and the European Union;

Amendment 77 #

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 c (new)

9 c. Calls on the Commission to resume negotiations on a balanced, ambitious and comprehensive free trade agreement with the aim to secure improved market access with a significant reduction in barriers to trade taking into account sensitive EU products along with ambitious commitments under trade and sustainable development chapter; Calls for the introduction of mirror measures that would ensure that imported products from India conform with EU internal market, health, environmental and animal welfare standards and that the same protection for consumers regardless of the origin of the products is ensured;

Amendment 78 #

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 d (new)

9 d. Calls on the Commission to suspend India’s CXL quota for sugar and requests that the upcoming EU-India trade negotiations make sure that WTO- incompatible sugar subsidies are removed;

Amendment 79 #

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 e (new)

9 e. Calls on the Commission to ensure that in the EU-India free trade agreement the protection of the EU quality schemes for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine, spirit drinks and aromatised wines is being upheld.

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)

B b. - The Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and these multilateral agreements, which form an integral part thereof and are binding on all WTO Members, in particular the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the Agreement on Agriculture, the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the Agreement on Safeguards, the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes and the Trade Policy Review Mechanism;

Amendment 9 #