European Parliament blocks hold of agricultural greenhouse for energy transition

The European Parliament rejects the European Commission's plan to use agricultural reserves for the European energy transition. Also, unused surpluses from regional funds may not be used for the RepowerEU project. With this, Brussels wants to get rid of Russian gas and oil as quickly as possible.

With this attitude of the vast majority of the European Parliament, the tripartite consultation between the European Commission, EU member states and the European Parliament will now start next week. In that case, Climate Commissioner Frans Timmermans will have to find (limited) new financing if parliament continues to block his grip on the agricultural piggy banks.

Because most of the money (more than 200 billion euros) has already been approved by the EU countries, and the agricultural reserve was only needed in the longer term, it is expected that a solution will be found. Especially because iedereen is in a big hurry.

Ministers, committee and parliament have already reached agreement this week on parts of Timmermans' Fitfor55 climate plan. This concerns new measures against air and soil pollution. This brings stricter rules a significant step closer, with measures that will also affect agriculture and livestock. Brussels wants their emissions to fall by 40 percent by 2030 compared to 2005.

There is still no agreement between the three European decision-makers about the proposal to treat large livestock farms in the future as large-scale air polluters. Some LNV ministers there seem to be holding their ground. There is also still disagreement about the proposal to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture by a quarter. 

The proposal for 'less chemistry in agri' is exaggerated, according to the EPP Christian Democrats, and it irresponsibly limits agri production. The S&D Social Democrats in the European Parliament have said they will only agree to 'less chemistry' if substitute 'green' manure substitutes are available.