Certain forms of genetic modification of food products may soon be allowed in EU agriculture. Germany and Austria have already opposed this, but Adema says in response to parliamentary questions that he cannot promise to align with them.
Adema will also not yet commit to a possible renewed approval of glyphosate products in crop protection. He communicated this in a letter to the House of Representatives, in response to remarks from several factions about the EU consultation. However, he does say that he will soon present a position to the House regarding genome techniques and glyphosate.
Adema will emphasize the Dutch position at the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) meeting in Córdoba on halving the use of hazardous chemical pesticides in agriculture. Many countries and agricultural organizations (still) oppose this, as long as no nature-friendly alternatives are available.
“I acknowledge that crop protection products are necessary for food security. However, a transition to more sustainable crop protection is inevitable. Therefore, I find it important that EU discussions continue,” Adema stated in his annotated letter to Parliament.
Spanish Agriculture Minister Luis Planas, as temporary EU president, intends to steer these three dossiers through the European decision-making process in the coming months, but many EU countries and agricultural organizations still have serious reservations. Spanish farmers plan to protest at the EU ministers’ meeting on Tuesday.
EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski is seeking support at the informal meeting from the 27 agriculture ministers for his plan to subsidize the additional transportation costs of exporting Ukrainian grain to EU ports, proposing a budget of 600 million euros for this year.
Within the European Commission, a conflict simmers because Wojciechowski also wants to extend the current import ban (which expires in about a week and a half) for several more months. Most EU countries oppose this, causing great frustration among five Ukrainian EU neighboring countries.