“Our farmers deserve to be heard. I know they are concerned about the future of agriculture and their future. But they also know that agriculture must transition to a more sustainable production model, so that their businesses remain profitable in the years to come".
The president of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen said this at the EP plenary, announcing that she will propose to the college of commissioners "the withdrawal" of the legislative proposal on pesticides.
The regulation "has become a symbol of polarization" she explained, underlining that "a new, more mature proposal" will be made in the future.
"The proposal was rejected by the European Chamber, and there is no progress in the Council either",
underlined von der Leyen, focusing at length in his speech on the farmers' protests.
"Many of them feel cornered. Farmers are the first to feel the effects of climate change. Droughts and floods have destroyed crops and threatened livestock. Farmers are feeling the impact of the Russian war, inflation, the rising cost of energy and fertilizers. Nonetheless, they work hard every day to
produce the quality food we eat. For this, we owe them appreciation, thanks and respect," he stressed.
For further information Agenzia ANSA Tractor protest, mobilization in Rome from Thursday, then the procession - News - Ansa.it From Valdichiana in procession towards the capital.
250 of us on the Cassia, arriving at 5pm and garrisoning the Nomentana area.
Meeting in the prefecture to establish the details of the demonstration (ANSA)
"We launched the Strategic Dialogue on the future of agriculture in the EU. We invited representatives from the agricultural sector, rural communities, the seed and fertilizer industry, the food sector, but also from the financial sector, consumers and the food sector, consumer and environmental groups and science.
We need to analyze the situation together, share ideas and develop scenarios for the future. We need to move beyond a polarized debate and build trust. Trust is the fundamental basis
for workable solutions.
The stakes are high for all of us. Our food production system is unique," he further explained.
"
The European Commission's announcement of the withdrawal of the legislative proposal on pesticides is also an Italian victory.
Since its inauguration, in fact, the Italian government has been working in Europe, with great concreteness and common sense, to trace a path different from the one followed so far and combine agricultural production, respect for work and environmental sustainability. We will continue in this direction."
Thus the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the announcement of the withdrawal of the regulation on pesticides by the President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
'Public subsidies can provide incentives'
“Farmers need a good business case for nature improvement measures, and perhaps we haven't made that convincingly.
A real incentive that goes beyond simple yield loss. Public subsidies can provide such incentives,” added von der Leyen, who floated the idea of “premium labeling, for example in
collaboration with retailers and processors.”
“Fertile soil has always been the backbone of a farmer's livelihood. But 60 to 70 percent of soils in Europe are now in poor condition. We can reverse these trends. And many farmers are doing so. But we need to do more ", underlined the president of the EU commission, adding
: "nature conservation can only be successful through a bottom-up and incentive-based approach
. Because only if our farmers can live from the land, will they invest in the future" .
Michel, 'Farmers must be respected, incomes must be more equitable'
“Farmers deserve to be respected for the gigantic work they do in our service and for the role they play in the fight against climate change.”
The President of the European Council Charles Michel said this, also speaking at the European Chamber plenary and focusing on the tractor protests across the continent.
"The question of fair incomes" must be addressed, "efforts must be put in place to reduce bureaucracy, to have fair rules of play", explained Michel
Tractors block the entrance to the European Chamber in Strasbourg
The farmers' protest reaches Strasbourg.
Around a hundred tractors blocked the entrance to the European Chamber while the debate on the conclusions of the latest EU summit was underway in the chamber in the presence of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der
Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel .
The police intervened by raising mobile barriers to contain the protest.
A few hundred demonstrators are now gathered in front of the main entrance, blocking the circulation of cars and public transport.
And a few dozen tractors with the Belgian and French flags gathered shortly after midday in front of the Wallonia Congress Center in Mons, where the informal meeting of the EU ministers responsible for Cohesion is underway.
The vehicles, according to local media reports, blocked a roundabout near the building, already monitored by the police.
The situation appears calm.
The farmers are expected to be received by Walloon Minister-President Elio Di Rupo.
In the morning several tractors also blocked the passage from Belgium to the Netherlands along the R4 in the municipality of Zelzate, in eastern Flanders.
The highway is closed in both directions.
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