Von der Leyen stated that Brussels offers the agricultural sector 'a listening ear' and 'a strategic dialogue.' What that concretely entails will largely depend on what Commissioner Janus Wojciechowski and the new Climate Chief MaroĆĄ Ć efÄoviÄ have in store over the next year and a half. And it is precisely with many of the final stages of the Green Deal that difficulties seem to arise.
Although Von der Leyen said her European Commission is committed to the Green Deal, she then said nothing about biodiversity, farm-to-fork, animal welfare, and food sustainability.
Earlier last week, the usually well-informed Financial Times (in a preview of the annual speech) already reported that a number of announced and already prepared Climate and environmental laws are being postponed, possibly delayed until after the European elections (June 2024). The English business newspaper based the suggested postponement on statements from four EU diplomats.
The European Commission is reportedly considering foregoing new animal welfare rules, although Commissioner Stella Kyriakides has emphasized several times in both the agriculture and environment committees that she will come forward âlater this yearâ with that proposal.
Parts of that announced renewal are already known, such as a ban on keeping animals in cages, limiting the duration of livestock transport, and a ban on killing day-old chicks.
The fact that lists for 'postponement' or 'cancellation' are now being drawn up in EU offices in Brussels is not only related to the upcoming European election campaign but also to long 'still to do' lists at various EU services.
Moreover, after the departure of three Commissioners (Frans Timmermans, Margrete Vestager, and Mariya Gabriel), tasks and portfolios must be transferred (read: shifted) to newcomers in the Commission.
From Spain, the current EU Presidency, reports have also emerged since last week about the cancellation or weakening of important agricultural laws. Regarding halving dangerous chemicals in agriculture, the Spanish Agriculture Minister Luis Planas says at least three or four (monthly) meetings of technical experts are still required, causing further delays to the proposal.
Meanwhile, the German Agriculture Minister Cem Ăzdemir (Greens) has announced a new compromise that clarifies the mandatory national targets and a complete usage ban 'in ecologically vulnerable areas.'
The possible consequences of Von der Leyenâs âlistening ear and strategic dialogueâ will not be on the agenda of Mondayâs monthly EU Agriculture Council in Brussels, but are expected to be the topic of conversation in informal corridors.