Brussels, 20 October 2020 – This week, the European Parliament is voting on a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, which accounts for a third of the EU’s budget. The Pirates will support vital amendments for the reform: the compulsory protection of landscape, climate, animals, and biodiversity; capping subsidies for big oligarchs like Orbán; and effective support for small farmers.
“We need to ensure that the EU produces food sustainably and protects the environment at the same time. Farmers are therefore facing a double challenge – to produce food and at the same time protect the environment and safeguard biodiversity. The Pirates will vote in favour of amendments that support sustainable farming, the protection of biodiversity, and animal welfare,” explains Pirate MEP Patrick Breyer.
“The fight against drought is one of the Pirate’s priorities. We know that the EU has to deal with the climate crisis. We will therefore support strict restrictions on pesticides and fertilizers, sustainable land management, and environmentally conscious agricultural practices,” adds Breyer.
“It is unacceptable for the EU to send public funds to big companies that plunder the landscape. That is why we demand a cap on direct payments at 60 000 € per year for a single company. This measure will effectively stop the money pipeline to European agricultural oligarchs like Orbán,” says Pirate MEP Mikuláš Peksa about the draft of the capping amendment.
The Common Agricultural Policy aims to support farmers and increase agricultural productivity. Moreover, it ensures a stable food supply at reasonable prices. The reform is linked to the European Green Deal, which prepares the EU for tackling climate change by consistently transitioning to a zero-emission European industry. Recently, the European Parliament adopted the Climate Law with a proposal for an ambitious emission reduction target – 60% by 2030.
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