The Agriculture Committee also rejects nearly all amendments drafted by the Environment Committee concerning the European Commission’s proposal. It is not yet certain when a decision will be made.
According to the Agriculture Committee, the reduction only needs to take effect in 2035 (instead of 2030), the EU countries themselves should have more say, and the reduction target is set at 35 percent (instead of 50). The Agriculture Committee adopted a non-binding recommendation by rapporteur Clara Aguilera (S&D) with 26 votes in favor, 9 against, and 3 abstentions.
This shifts the entire SUR dossier not only beyond the upcoming elections (June 2024) but also defers it to the Commission after the next one (2025–2030).
Whereas environment rapporteur Sarah Wiener (Greens) from the Environment Committee wants to expand the proposals next week, Aguilera brought over a hundred amendments to a vote on Monday aimed at drastically limiting the SUR chemicals proposal. Some amendments were narrowly adopted, while others resulted in tied votes (and were thus rejected).
The Agriculture Committee refuses to speak of a ‘ban’ (only a ‘restriction’ at most), rejects the need for ‘accountability’ (only a ‘notification’ at most), and opposes a new type of ‘protected areas.’ Moreover, several additional demands are made. For example, the Agriculture Committee wants it to be established now that compensation or premiums will not be paid from the current agricultural budget (but that ‘new money’ must be provided).
Also, new nature-friendly ‘green’ pesticides must first be available before any restriction on current chemicals can take place. Furthermore, green pesticides must not only be ‘available’ but also affordable (for farmers) and equally effective (for the harvest).
Only on ‘financing’ does the Agriculture Committee have a co-decision vote; on all other aspects, the Environment Committee or the Trade Committee decides. To address objections to payment from the Agricultural budget, environment rapporteur Wiener offered compromises, but these were rejected by the Agriculture Committee ‘in advance.’
With the two parliamentary committees having adopted their positions, the European Parliament is paving the way to start the tripartite trilogue negotiations with the EU countries and the EU Commission. However, the 27 Agriculture and Fisheries ministers must first reach a joint position.
Since last week the European Parliament agreed on the new (reduced) Green Deal task package of the new Green Deal Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, successor to Frans Timmermans, it was agreed in Brussels that the ongoing tripartite talks on the Nature Restoration Law will conclude in November, and the trilogue on SUR pesticides will commence ‘after Christmas’….