Activities of Eugenia RODRÍGUEZ PALOP related to 2021/2254(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
A long-term vision for the EU's rural areas (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on a long-term vision for the EU's rural areas – Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040
Amendments (55)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 16 January 2018 on women, gender equality and climate justice 1a, __________________ 1a OJ C 458, 19.12.2018, p.34.
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 8 October 2020 on the European Forest Strategy - The Way Forward,
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 b (new)
Citation 14 b (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 20 October 2021 on a farm to fork strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system,
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 on A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 c (new)
Citation 14 c (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 9 June 2021 on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives,
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 b (new)
Citation 15 b (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 on EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.Bringing nature back into our lives,
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 c (new)
Citation 15 c (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 16 July 2021 on the New EU Forest Strategy for 2030
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 a (new)
Citation 24 a (new)
— — having regard to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas, resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 17 December 2018,
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 b (new)
Citation 24 b (new)
— — having regard to General recommendation No. 34 on the rights of rural women of 4 March 2016 of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women,
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas rural areas represent around 83 % of the total European territory and are home to around 137 million people (30 % of the European population); whereas rural areas, in particular remote and less developed rural regions, face specific long-term unresolved challenges;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. Whereas significant gender differences within agricultural employment persist since female rates of unemployment, precarious contracts and informality are higher, rural women are more exposed to vulnerable situations, such as no access to social protection or maternity benefits, are more affected by the care gap and experience more difficulties to have ownership and control of land and other productive resources; whereas the EU rural employment rate was 67% for women and 80% for men in 2019, which translates to a gender employment gap of 13 percentage points, that has remained fairly stable at EU level in the last 10 years; whereas effective action should be taken to promote the participation of women supporting their key role in the development and preservation of rural areas through approaches based on fairer and inclusive relations between production, distribution, consumption and environmental and social impacts;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas many concerns have been raised on the negative effects of mining activities regarding water, protected areas, environmental impact and ecological damage to the surroundings and on other sources of livelihood, such as agriculture, food production and farms, social impacts as they potentially affect people’s incomes, health issues among the local residents and threats to the local community and the quality of life in communities affecting their social and economic interests 1a; _________________ 1a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/ etudes/STUD/2022/729156/IPOL_STU(20 22)729156_EN.pdf
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas working condition of a vast proportion of workers employed in the European agricultural sector are extremely challenging and precarious, characterised by poor wages, long working hours, a high proportion of undeclared work, an extremely high incidence of accidents and illness (according to Eurostat, agriculture is among the most dangerous occupations in Europe) and deplorable housing conditions with workers falling often prey to widespread exploitation, including gang master practices and other forms of modern slavery;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that policies and actions at EU level combined with national and regional ones are key to securing the prosperity and well-being of rural European citizens, as well as tackling the challenges they face, namely population decline and ageing, fewer quality job opportunitilack of basic services, a lack of access to high-nd amenities; poor quality public services of general interest, climate and environmental pressures, lower connectivity and limited access to innovation(schools, health and social care, public transport), quality education and training opportunities, quality connectivity, banks, post offices and problems related to water management, in addition to insufficient and inappropriate housing availability in rural areas to meet the current needs;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the central role rural areas can play in addressing societal challenges, by providing ecosystem services to mitigate climate change and environmental deterioration, ensuring sustainable food production, preserving rural heritage, and contributing to a just, green and digital transition; notes in the new CAP reform the stipulation that the provision of "public goods" is now included in the definition "active farmer"; stresses the need for Member States to fully support and adequately compensate farmers for the provision of these public goods and ecosystem services, that are not remunerated by the market place, to contribute to the economic viability of rural areas.
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the central role rural areas can play in addressing societal challenges, by providing ecosystem services to mitigate climate change and environmental deterioration and to halt the accelerating process of loss of biodiversity, ensuring sustainable food production, preserving rural heritage, and contributing to a just, green and digital transition;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that rural areas are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of crisis, such as the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine but are also capable of offering new opportunities in response to such crisis; notes the successful use of remote working during the covid pandemic proving that this type of working is feasible with many positive externalities for the regeneration of local areas;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Points out that rural areas and urban areas are intertwined and that the future of rural areas will also shape the future of urban areas, which are even more vulnerable and cannot survive without the rural areas; highlights that maintaining the balance and vitality of both will prevent their collapse;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Takes note of the proposal for a Rural Action Plan, which should evolve into a dynamic tool for future action; calls on the Commission and the Member States to give the highest priority to its implementation, setting clear binding targets for delivery so as to attain the goal of stronger, more connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Agrees on the need for a common, EU-wide, functional definition of rural areas, that recognizes the complexity and diversity contain within these areas and urges the Commission to quickly develop and operationalise such a definition;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Supports the development of a Rural Pact; considers that it needs concrete objectives, deliverables, governance andan inclusive governance model that includes local governments and civil society, with local democratic and social partner structures, as well as monitoring systems, and institutional responsibilities;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the announcement of a Rural Observatory; considers it a valid instrument for informing, designing and monitoring better public policies; and stresses the need for sufficient funding and human resources, transparency, a clear roadmap with time frames and objectives and external scrutiny from civil society representatives;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Welcomes ESC proposal to promote a Europe-wide Charter of rural/urban rights and responsibilities; is also convinced that more cooperation with urban areas is needed to ensure that no area or citizen is "left behind" in the just transition to a climate-neutral, sustainable and prosperous European Union, striving for a rural and urban commitment to a fair approach and showing the added value of rural and urban organisations working together;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls for the recognition of the importance of improving wages, working and employment conditions in rural area and highlights that both agricultural and rural development policies must ensure the protection of workers’ individual and collective labour and social rights, thereby reinforcing the ‘social dimension’ of EU agriculture and its importance for rural areas; calls therefore on the Commission and the Member states to strengthen measures focusing on the rights, working and employment conditions and social protection of farm labourers, including migrants with precarious residence status, and other seasonal and mobile workers, and to ensure coherence between policy areas on this issue;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines that the European Green Deal can open up new opportunities in rural areas and a new dynamic for a more resilient future, while ensuring a just and inclusive transition; is concerned about current discussions on the re-evaluation of elements of the Green Deal dedicated to agriculture, risking fundamentally undermining future progress in achieving its objectives; insists the Commission honour the commitments agreed within the EU Green Deal and to fully implement agreed goals, targets and ambitions of both the Biodiversity and Farm to Fork strategies as they are crucial to the future sustainability, security and resilience of our rural areas;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Points out that extensive permanent grassland-based, silvo-pastoral or extensive organic animal husbandry, often involving pastures of high environmental value, are key features of the European rural areas and that its quality schemes and are a defining element of many traditional rural communities which allows them to make productive use of land that other wise would have been abandoned; underlines that this form of land-based and low density agricultural production can have multiple positive effects for the environment and for the conservation of cultural landscapes, contributes to protecting rural areas from depopulation and abandonment, helps in mitigating against climate change, and contributes to a circular economy and biodiversity restoration and must therefore be supported and encouraged;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines the central role agriculture plays in rural areas; insists that sustainable agriculture, providing fair income to farmers, is crucial for the vitality of these territories; Recognises that liberalisation of trade in agricultural food products and agricultural primary commodities has exposed small-scale farmers, particularly in peripheral rural areas, to many new challenges; Takes the view that, in order to guarantee a vibrant rural areas, all international trade rules and agreements should take into account the impact on agriculture and the rural economy;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Stresses that unfair trading practices (UTPs) are a serious problem in the Agricultural sector notes that the Commission’s report of 29January 2016 on unfair business-to-business trading practices in the food supply chain confirms that those practices can occur at every stage of the food supply chain; points out that the problem is particularly evident in the food supply chain, having adverse effects on the weakest link in the chain, highlights that the problem is attested to by all entities in the food supply chain and by many national competition authorities; whereas the Commission Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee have repeatedly drawn attention to the problem of UTPs;
Amendment 274 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Highlights that young farmers and potential new entrants sometimes encounter difficulties in purchasing or leasing land and stresses the need to ensure their successful integration into the sector; highlights in this regard the potential of tools such as farm incubators like RETA, an Spanish network based on the cooperation of public-private actors to promote the creation of farm incubators and influence public policies to support new farmers;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission to promote alternative business models rooted in the social and solidarity economy, such as consumer-friendly cooperative schemes and community supported agriculture, to contribute to a strong social and economic fabric in rural areas;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Stresses the importance of promoting the EU quality schemes (PDO's &PGI's) as a vehicle to generate added value in local areas by creating high value niche products drawing attention to the pristine environment in which they were produced;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Acknowledges that innovation must remain compatible with the restoration and promotion of traditional practices and knowledge, especially those adapted to the socio-cultural and agro- climatic characteristics of each area;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets that the work of rural women is still not properly recognised; calls on the Commission and the Member Statespoints out that women in rural areas are more affected by hidden unemployment than men due to traditional role models and the poor provision in many rural areas of appropriate infrastructure, particularly childcare facilities; calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase the labour force participation of women both in the agricultural sector and in other fields of employment in rural regions, to promote quality-jobs, full and equal participation of rural women indecision-making enhancing their leadership and to take action to design and implement measures to fight gender gaps;
Amendment 297 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls on the Member States to promote women's entrepreneurship, support female business networks, such as tutoring/coaching models or alliances of female entrepreneurs, and design initiatives targeted at improving the entrepreneurial attitude, skills and capabilities of women in rural areas;
Amendment 298 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Recalls European Parliament resolution of 4 April 2017 on women and their roles in rural areas as well as Resolution of 16 January 2018 on Women, gender equality and climate justice; underlines that 1995 Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) asserted that women have an strategic role to play in the development of sustainable and ecologically sound consumption and production patterns; stresses in this regard that women in rural areas can be agents of change in moving towards sustainable agriculture and can play an important role in the creation of green jobs; is convinced that their empowerment is critical as regards sustainable farming methods for building climate resilience, including the protection of ecosystems, water resources and soil fertility; in particular, highlights the importance to support and promote the participation of women in the agri-food value chain, since their role is mainly concentrated in production and processing;
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Acknowledges the European's Commission support to Member States’ to improve the availability, accessibility and affordability of quality education and care services for children and other people in need for care in rural areas through investments from the European Social Fund Plus, the European Regional Development Fund, the Invest EU programme and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development; welcomes the forthcoming European Care Strategy which should take into account the particularities of rural areas and calls for a European Care Deal to reduce the gender care gap; calls also the Member States to swiftly implement the work-life balance directive and to go beyond it, boosting investment in public services in rural areas;
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Highlights that rural women face additional obstacles both to access services to prevent gender-based violence and to support victims, as well as to access health care, including sexual and reproductive health care; reiterates the importance that all Member States ratify the Istanbul Convention, welcomes the proposal for a directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence and calls for Member States to ensure the provision of services to prevent and support victims tailored to the conditions existing in rural areas; recalls European Parliament resolution of 24 June 2021 on the situation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU, in the frame of women’s health and calls on the Member States to establish effective strategies and monitoring programmes that guarantee the enjoyment of and universal access to a full range of high-quality and accessible SRHR services, in line with international health standards, regardless of financial, practical and social barriers, and free from discrimination, with special consideration to women from rural areas and outermost regions where geographical constraints prevent direct and immediate access to such services;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Highlights the central role of rural areas in the transition to a low-carbon economy; stresses that initiatives in rural areas, such as renewable energy infrastructure, must contribute effectively to the economic and social vitality of such areas; notes that many rural areas have an abundance of natural resources for the generation of renewable energy, however ineffective government policies, corporate influence, lack of proper battery storage system, and "smart metering" are standing in the way harnessing this valuable resource that could transform rural areas;
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Highlights the central role of rural areas in the transition to a low-carbon economy; stresses that initiatives in rural areas, such as renewable energy infrastructure, must contribute effectively to the economic and social vitality of such areas, should be done in consultation with the population affected by those infrastructures and should not include productive areas for agriculture and livestock (including extensive livestock farming) and areas of high environmental value, such as Natura 2000;
Amendment 317 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Believes that the lack of energy infrastructure, particularly in peripheral rural areas where the natural resources are the greatest, is a barrier to renewable energy development, the present infrastructure is mainly built for fossil fuel plants and needs urgent reform as it is not capable of handling large amounts of renewable energy;
Amendment 325 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Is of the view that the lack technical professionals is preventing renewable energy technologies from reaching their potential; calls for renewable energy courses and proper training to be conducted to develop the skills required to install and operate renewable energy projects; notes the shortage of a trained workforce to design, finance, build, operate and maintain renewable energy projects, considered this to be a major obstacle to the wider penetration of renewable energy;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Highlights that rural areas suffer higher risks of social exclusion and energy poverty owing to longer distances to be covered and mobility constraints; points out that easily accessible and public transport systems as well as new rural mobility solutions and investments are needed to achieve equitable growth, in harmony with a sustainable energy transition;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Stresses the benefits of rail as a sustainable, smart and safe means of transport and as key instrument for strengthening social and territorial cohesion in the rural areas; call on the Commission, in the framework of the Mobility strategy and the new initiatives for efficient and green mobility, including the new TEN-T legal framework, to foster public investment and an inclusive infrastructure planning that leave no regions behind;
Amendment 345 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that the digital transition brings about new opportunities for rural areas, which are only accessible if there is adequate, stable and accessible broadband coverage; warns of the risks of the widening of the rural digital gap as a result of the lack of 5G coverage, and calls on Member States to mobilise all available instruments to prevent it; calls for the creation of locally based "digital hubs" where people could travel to in their local area to avail of high speed broadband and dedicated facilities tailored to remote hybrid working; believes that creating a work environment at local level in a dedicated hub can mitigate many of the negative social aspects generated by remote working;
Amendment 354 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Draws attention to the fact that the comparative lack of digital skills in rural areas can preclude rural communities from benefiting from the opportunities of digitalisation; calls for measures that ensure digital inclusionis aware of the fact that digitisation entails an economic effort, that the cost-benefit of digitisation must be weighed up so that it is used only to respond to the actual needs of rural areas; calls for preliminary assessments and measures that ensure digital inclusion, particularly when digitalising basic services in order to prevent exclusion, and support an enabling environment for rural digital innovation;
Amendment 355 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Draws attention to the fact that the comparative lack of digital skills in rural areas can preclude rural communities from benefiting from the opportunities of digitalisation; calls for measures that ensure digital inclusion and support an enabling environment for rural digital innovation; emphasis however that a sole emphasis on digitalisation to the detriment of the traditional forms of communication can in fact lead to increased levels of isolation and exclusion as there are those that have difficulty in engaging in the digital world;
Amendment 366 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Highlights the importance of ensuring the right to inclusive and quality education and promoting lifelong learning for all age learners in rural areas to ensure equal access to training and the right to up- and reskilling and qualifications for all in order to benefit from the green and digital transitions; recalls the need for further public investment in education in rural areas to ensure fair and well-resourced education systems based on public service values and democratic governance;
Amendment 376 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Is worried about the environmental and social impact of mining activities in the rural areas and the tension between global mining activities and local communities and the environment; stresses the key role of EU legislation concerning environmental regulation to ensure that mining and mining waste do not endanger human health and the environment and considers that ecological compensation should be mandatory in legislation; notes with concern that in several cases there have been inadequate, lack or incomplete Environmental Impact Assessments in the context of mining activities and recalls that is an often-used tool to realise the public participation rights during the permitting stage of mining activities that has the potential to strengthen the realisation of public participation rights in the permitting processes beyond the minimum standard enshrined in the Aarhus Convention and that it should be encouraged at the EU-level; asks to enhance the role of Social Impact Assessments in mining as a tool with potential to strengthen the realisation of public participation rights and to integrate the human rights impact assessment as a compulsory element in the impact assessment to improve the implementation of public participation rights during permitting of mining activities and to investigate whether a project or a policy complies with the human rights both from a substance and a procedural perspective; asks for investment in public mediation and conflict resolution;
Amendment 380 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Amendment 382 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20d. Stresses the need to pay attention to the social justice impacts and the justice effects of the Green Deal in order to understand and mitigate the current and future tensions and conflicts arising from the increasing need for minerals; asks for An EU level survey to identify both EU and member states level issues regarding social justice impacts stemming from the energy transition, including the production and use of critical minerals and to ensure the monitoring and evaluation of a just transition and its progress in a comprehensive manner;
Amendment 401 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Points out to the need to increase investment and public spending in rural areas in order to create long-term value, as it brings high economic returns while having a significant impact on employment and income opportunities and wealth distribution; stresses in this regard the need for environmental and social public investment, including in key areas of public services such as housing, health and social care, education and public transport and active mobility; highlights that EU needs a reform of economic governance that focuses on sustainable development in order to support the environmental, digital and societal transitions; insists to develop a "golden rule for public investments” that would exclude net public investment (new investments) from deficit calculations in the framework of the Stability and Growth Pact, since they bring high economic returns;
Amendment 434 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Notes the success of the agricultural European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI) which works to foster competitive and sustainable farming and forestry that 'achieves more and better from less'; highlights the success of the EIP-AGRI is built on people across the whole supply chain and from the scientific community working together and sharing their ideas and experiences in order to develop innovative solutions and research results ready for application; Calls for the continuation and expansion of this innovative and bottom up approach to delivering tailored solutions designed by local stakeholders at local level;
Amendment 455 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls for more community-based bottom up policy design, involving local actors, authorities and civil society, and insists therefore that they must play an active role from decision-making to policy implementation and evaluation;
Amendment 475 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Recalls that the future of rural areas is of paramount importance for Europe’s food security and food autonomy, as the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have clearly demonstrated; Stresses the need, highlighted by the hostilities in Ukraine and in part from the disruptions to global production chains and increased price volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, to develop self-sufficiency for the EU and member states with the aim of reducing dependency on imports of critical goods such as plant-based protein sources; reiterates that agri-food systems must be acknowledged as a crucial aspect of the EU and member states security and self-sufficiency in order to ensure the availability of safe and good-quality food and to maintain functioning and resilient food supply chains and trade flows during future crises;