Niveau juridique : Union européenne
Texte de la question
« Regarding the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy, which is supposed to bring about a ‘fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system’ (1) , the authors of this question believe that parts of this strategy are in conflict with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.
1. The Commission has now announced, in connection with seed security, that it will focus on biotechnology and the ‘potential of new genomic methods’ Does this approach to seed security also include the use of classic ‘green genetic engineering’?
2. How does the Commission assess the compatibility of the recently published EU strategy for the conservation of biodiversity (2) , which will protect 30% of the European Union’s land area and strictly protect 10% of its land area, making these areas in practice no longer usable for agriculture and forestry, with food security, since the population’s supply of food must be ensured through a sustainable food production system, particularly in times of crisis?
3. Does it consider the tax incentives set out in the section on promoting a sustainable food market and facilitating the transition to a healthy and sustainable diet compatible with the principle of subsidiarity, which also applies to tax harmonisation? »
(1)eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/En/TXT/?qid=1590404602495&uri=CELEX%3A52020DC0381
Réponse donnée par Ms Kyriakides au nom de la Commission européenne le 14 septembre 2020 :
« The EU needs to explore innovative ways to make agriculture more sustainable for the environment and for societies. To this end, the potential contribution of any technologies, including biotechnologies, to a more sustainable and resilient agriculture should be assessed, provided they are safe for consumers and the environment.
This is the responsibility of all actors in the agri-food chain as well as regulators. In particular, the Commission considers that advances brought by biotechnology should be considered whenever they bring real added value to the whole of society and contribute to achieving the objectives set out in the European Green Deal.
The Farm to Fork and the Biodiversity Strategies(1) set out the path towards sustainable and resilient food systems in 2030. A sustainable food system must ensure sufficient and varied supply of safe, nutritious, affordable and sustainable food to people at all times, not least in times of crisis.
The Common Agricultural Policy will strongly support farmers to adopt sustainable production practices and address new consumer demands. The Farm to Fork Strategy also announces the establishment of a European contingency plan for ensuring food supply and food security to be put into place in times of crisis.
Prices of food are an important signal for consumers. It is therefore important that prices of different foods reflect their environmental and societal costs. While fiscal policies are to a large extent a matter of national competence, for some elements, EU regulation exists, such as on VAT rates.
The Commission has put forward a proposal(2), currently under discussion in Council, which could allow Member States to make more targeted use of rates, for instance to support the demand for fruit and vegetables. »
Lien vers la page de la question ici