EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans says that 'as many as possible' Green Deal elements are included in the new agricultural policy as approved yesterday by the European Parliament. According to him, more was not feasible, and now the EU countries themselves are responsible.
Timmermans states that it was not Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski's fault that there are no 'environmental obligations' in the new CAP, but that it was mainly the 27 agriculture ministers who blocked this. "And also the prime ministers and heads of government who refused to rein in their agriculture ministers," Timmermans said on Wednesday afternoon in Strasbourg to Dutch reporters.
According to the Dutch Climate Commissioner, it is now primarily up to the 27 national governments to include environmental and climate measures in their national strategic plans. To make the plans succeed, all EU member states must draw up a strategic agricultural plan. The European Commission will assess whether each plan meets the standards.
For the new Dutch cabinet, this will still be quite challenging, Timmermans expects. "In agricultural policy, you will have to carefully consider how to reduce pesticide use by more than half. That must also be reflected in a coalition agreement."
Moreover, the new cabinet will have to take an additional step in the new climate policy. He warns that the new European Climate Law will lead to major changes. According to Timmermans, we will especially see effects of the EU climate plan in agriculture, construction, and transport.