Priority question for written answer P-002076/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Álvaro Amaro (PPE), José Manuel Fernandes (PPE), Paulo Rangel (PPE), Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE), Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar (PPE)
Subject: Increasing agricultural production in the EU
On 30 May 2022, Commissioner for the Environment Virginijus Sinkevičius said in an exchange of views with the members of the Committee on Agriculture that increasing production in the Union would not be a panacea to help our international partners, developing countries or Ukraine.
The next day, at a press conference following the special meeting of the European Council, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU needed to step up its food production.
Farmers and economic actors are sensitive to statements of intent from the Commission, and ambiguous, contradictory signals on the part of policymakers could lead to counterproductive interpretations.
Farmers have been making a huge effort to increase agricultural production in the EU in a context made difficult by high intermediate input costs.
Can the Commission say:
1. What is it thinking of doing to avoid sending out ambiguous and contradictory signals like this and give farmers predictability and stability?
2. Will farmers in Europe be able to look forward to a common agricultural policy that encourages agricultural production, particularly in times of crisis like the one we are currently facing?