7 Amendments of Tom VANDENKENDELAERE related to 2020/2117(INI)
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that, against the background of a sharp economic downturn, EU agri-food trade has in general remarkably remained broadly stable over the course of 2020, for both exports and imports, thanks in large part to the best efforts of farmers; highlights that the Union’s yearly agri-food trade surplus exceeded EUR 60 billion; notes, however, that these figures are highly different across Member States and sectors; recalls in this context that agriculture and agri- food are key drivers for EU exports and economic recovery;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises the remarkable resilience of European agriculture and agri-food sector; underlines its socio- economic importance as well as the high number of companies and jobs involved, including low-skilled workers; stresses the importance of Europe’s agri-food production for the vitality of its rural areas; stresses the strategic importance of the continuity of these sectors, all the more in times of crisis;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls, however, that some European agri-food markets are in a highly vulnerable situation after a significant loss in sales, while facing lower prices in combination with, amongst others, rising animal feed prices, threatening their long- term sustainability; notes that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the beef, poultry, pork, wine, spirit and liqueur sectors, among others, given the drop in exports in terms of both volume and value; and due to COVID-19 related measures in the hospitality sector; calls for further support to reactivate these exports and regain market share;
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Emphasizes an EU-wide drop of prices for potatoes early in the COVID-19 crisis; notes, moreover, the significant impact on the ornamental horticulture sector, since its main sales opportunities were hindered by restrictive COVID-19 measures;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Stresses the fact that low prices in combination with higher costs during and after the pandemic and other factors reduced and will reduce the investment capacity of farms; emphasises the need for on-farm investment support, to enable the agricultural sector to contribute to the post pandemic recovery; stresses the importance of national recovery-plans in this regard;
Amendment 58 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3 c. Recalls that the exceptional measures to support the agri-food sector proposed at the beginning of the pandemic were insufficient; stresses in this regard the need of on-farm liquidity support; this additional support should ensure the continuity and should enable the agri-food sector to respond to the market and trade opportunities once it is fully open again;
Amendment 67 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that any EU economic stimulus plans and export support measures need to consider agriculture in view of the importance and diversity of the sector; also stresses that the review and overhaul of EU trade policy, as well as the announced reform of the World Trade Organization, as well as the fundamental overhaul of the EU-Mercosur agreement, must be an opportunity to better defend the European agricultural model and farmers’ interests; reiterates firmly that agriculture and agri- food products entering the European market must fully comply with EU rules and standards;