A hoof forward for planet-friendly farming in Europe10 June 2011
Euro MPs vote to reduce imports of soy for animal feed.
Last week Euro MPs on the agriculture committee voted on a report setting out their vision for farming reform in Europe. This is a key step towards legal proposals on farming policy due out in October.
A fairer future for farming
Effective joint lobbying by Friends of the Earth and allies in the run up to the vote means that the report now includes measures to;
- reduce reliance on environmentally damaging imports of soy
- introduce a ceiling on payments to large, intensive farms
- regulate food prices
- protect natural resources
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) dictates how more than 43 billion Euros are spent on farming in Europe every year. It has a huge impact on climate emissions from agriculture.
The message from the European Parliament is clear - 'business as usual is not an option'
Kirtana Chandrasekaran, Friends of the Earth Food Campaigner
Work to be done
The original report was not so positive. But at least it now includes nearly all of the reforms that Friends of the Earth put forward as part of our alliance in Europe.
We need to keep the pressure on to make sure that this report becomes bold and effective policies that support greener farming.
Every Euro MP will get a chance to vote on the reforms. Please urge yours to make sure they support planet-friendly farming.
