June 10, 2016
EU parliament, food chain body support innovation for sustainable agriculture
The European Parliament's Agriculture Committee (COMAGRI) had endorsed a report titled "Technical solutions for sustainable agriculture" which was drafted by MEP Anthea McIntyre.
In addition, the report received strong backing by the Agri-Food Chain Coalition (AFCC) at a dinner debate in Brussels, Belgium, on May 31, just days before the final vote in Strasbourg.
The AFCC welcomed the initiative of MEP McIntyre (ECR, UK) and called for consistent EU policies to unlock the potential of innovation in Europe's agri-food sectors to maintain its position as a world leader.
"This is a very important report at a time of a deep farming crisis with low commodity prices. Strengthening innovation is key to improve the situation of farmers, agricultural input industries, traders and food companies alike", Garlich v. Essen, Chair of the AFCC, underlined in his opening remarks.
In her speech, McIntyre highlighted that competitiveness, economic growth and jobs are the potential benefits of an innovation-friendly and supportive political and regulatory environment in Europe.
"Innovation and sustainability are mutually supportive rather than competing policy objectives", McIntyre pointed out during the further discussion which specifically focused on what hinders concrete implementation of pro-active policies and corresponding rules that may help industries and farmers to overcome obstacles.
Some key issues and challenges addressed by the report include precision farming, big data and informatics, soil, water and nutrient management, as well as precision breeding.
In his conclusions, Essen confirmed the AFCC's strong backing of the report.
"This report finally establishes new technologies as crucial tools that can help to assure competitiveness and drive sustainability. What we need to do is bringing it to life with corresponding strategic policy initiatives and to embed the innovation principle firmly in the EU's future regulatory approach," he said.
- FEFAC
