The Dutch MEPs voted very divided on a large package of amendments for a new European food strategy, farm-to-fork (F2F). For the Netherlands, this strategy will affect nitrogen emissions, which are the highest in Europe due to the large livestock population.
Only Jan Huitema (VVD), Mohammed Chahim (PvdA) and Anja Hazenkamp (PvdD) voted for it. The two CDA members Esther de Lange and Annie Schreijer-Pierik abstained, and Rob Rooken (FvD) and Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) voted against.
The Farm-to-Bord strategy proposes plans to reduce the livestock footprint and increase the share of organic farming. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides will also be reduced.
Jan Huitema (VVD, Renew Europe), said that the farmers' practice was not sufficiently taken into account in the initial plans. 'I am therefore pleased that, partly thanks to my contribution to this report, a clear signal is being sent to the European Commission. We must give space to the diversity of agricultural entrepreneurs, focus on innovation, and base legislation on scientific knowledge," says Huitema.
The Dutch PvdA member Mohammed Chahim called the promotion of organic farming a good development. It is important to help farmers become more sustainable, as well as to promote and reward this.
Chahim believes it is important that the Farm-to-Bord strategy pays sufficient attention to the small farmer. In the current system, he says, they do not lose their products on the local market because the current supply chain is so distorted. Large supermarket chains are getting rich with the farmers' products.
The strategy provides better protection for their products and encourages the sale of local, organic products. Chahim: “The expression 'what the farmer doesn't know, he won't eat' applies to all of us. If you know where your milk comes from, it tastes a lot better.”
In addition, last week the AGRI Committee on Agriculture approved by a vast majority the three new regulations that will form together with the new common agricultural policy.
The vote showed that both the conservative right-wing groups (ECR and ID) and the radical left-wing opposition (GUE/NGL) support the plans, and the Liberals (Renew) and Christian Democrats (EPP) are also largely in favour. The Greens voted against, the Social Democrats (S&D) are divided. The final vote will take place in the plenary session of the full European Parliament in November.
The text is expected to be approved by the House plenary, possibly during the November session.