The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced at the Strasbourg plenary session the intention to withdraw the proposal to halve the use of pesticides, as it has become a symbol of polarization and has been rejected by the European Parliament. She also mentioned the possibility of presenting a new, more mature proposal involving stakeholders. The current President of the EU, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, welcomed the announcement and emphasized the importance of farmers’ commitment to a more sustainable agricultural future as part of the Green Deal.
However, the process for a new proposal is not immediate. The new proposal will need to consider the results of the Strategic Dialogue on the future of agriculture, with solutions expected to be ready by the end of the summer for the new Commission formed after the European elections. The latest draft no longer includes the initial 30% emission reduction target for the agriculture sector by 2040.
Farmers are also protesting low product prices, rising costs, and low-cost imports. The discontent among farmers could potentially translate into support for far-right forces in the upcoming European elections. The withdrawal of the regulation proposal might also impact the support of the traditionally farmer-supported European People’s Party.
The announcement regarding the regulation is considered “late” but “reasonable and relieving” for the People’s Party, of which von der Leyen is a member. Coldiretti’s reaction is positive as well, with President Ettore Prandini stating that the withdrawal of the proposal “saves 30% of the productions that are the basis of the Mediterranean diet, from wine to tomatoes, which were at risk due to the unrealistic goal of halving the use of agrochemicals.”