West European water companies are urging the European Union for a new common agricultural policy without chemical pesticides.
The IAWR drinking water companies in the Rhine basin support the plans for a European Climate Policy (Green Deal) and the sustainability of the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F).
About 120 water companies from the six Rhine-riparian states Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, and the Netherlands are members of the IAWR, including the Dutch Association of River Water Companies RIWA. In a call to the EU, they highlight the ongoing (chemical) pollution of European rivers, on which a large portion of the drinking water supply depends.
Their appeal is directed at the current trilogue negotiations on the common agricultural policy (CAP), according to a statement from the companies. Chairman Roman Wiget says that “to protect our drinking water supplies, the goal is to quickly achieve greener agricultural subsidies and strategies for climate protection, biodiversity, and zero pollution.”
The plea for protecting drinking water will also be presented this week at the joint hearing of the Agriculture Committee (AGRI) and the Environment Committee (ENVI) of the European Parliament. The committees will hold a public hearing on February 4 about the Farm to Fork strategy.
Academics and representatives from professional organizations and civil society will discuss the F2F strategy, its prospects, and the challenges it must address with Members of the European Parliament in Brussels.
The Farm to Fork strategy is an important part of the proposed European Green Deal and the new agricultural policy. Its main objectives are to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU food system at all stages (from agricultural production to the consumer) and to ensure food security.