Now is not the time to cut food production

“Now is not the right moment for the proposals on pesticide reduction and nature restoration”, said Herbert Dorfmann MEP, the EPP Group Spokesman in the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee.

“As we are in the middle of the worst food crisis of our century, the European Commission shouldn’t introduce new legislation that may cut food production in Europe”, he underlined.

The European Commission is set to publish a proposal later today for EU-wide binding targets for pesticide reduction and nature restoration. The proposals are estimated to reduce European food production.

“Since the Farm to Fork strategy was first introduced, the EPP Group has constantly asked the Commission for a thorough impact assessment. So far, we haven’t seen one. How can the Commission expect the Parliament to approve new legislation without knowing the impacts?”, asked Dorfmann.

“We have to take steps towards better controlled and targeted use of plant protection substances, but measures without wise consideration may only deepen the problems of our domestic food production and lead to growing imports. This is not in our common interest”, Dorfmann added.

"In a threatening situation in the midst of times of war in Ukraine, the Commission's proposals would result in significant yield reductions and would threaten global food security", said Christine Schneider MEP, member of the Environment Committee.

"Europe must live up to its responsibility in the world, especially now. Farmers need the appropriate toolbox to ensure our food security and to produce healthy food", she concluded.