8 Amendments of Juozas OLEKAS related to 2020/2117(INI)
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that, against the background of a sharp economic downturn, EU agri-food trade has remarkably remained broadly stable over the course of 2020, for both exports and imports, thanks in large part to the best efforts of farmers and SMEs in the agri-food sector; highlights that the Union’s yearly agri-food trade surplus exceeded EUR 60 billion; recalls in this context that agriculture and agri-food are key drivers for EU exports and economic recovery;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises the remarkablenoteworthy resilience of European agriculture; underlines its socio-economic importance as well as the high number of companies and jobs involved; stresses the importance of Europe’s agri-food production for the vitality and development of its rural areas; underlines that the success of European agriculture is strictly connected with the Common Agriculture Policy, that through the years has been the instrument to improve farmers' condition and guarantee food security in the EU;
Amendment 37 #
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, threatening their long-term sustainability; notes that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the wine, spirit and liqueur sectors, among others, given the drop in exports in terms of both volume and value; calls for further support, including, in particular, the extension of the extraordinary measures for the wine sector, to reactivate these exports and regain market share;
Amendment 64 #
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, 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 and to this extent frequent and thorough controls should be put in place to guarantee this compliance from products from third countries;
Amendment 74 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. underlines that the crisis following the Covid-19 pandemic should be an opportunity to rethink the EU trade policy especially for what concerns its environmental impact and to put EU agriculture concerns, especially of the most vulnerable sectors, as high priorities in the trading negotiations with third partners; is convinced that the EU should use its position as a major global player to set the benchmark and direct international standards for sustainable food systems, based on respect for human and labour rights, fair competition, the precautionary principle, environmental protection and animal welfare in accordance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules;
Amendment 83 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Stresses that the EU, in line with its Green Deal principles, should not import products coming from deforested areas or with lower environmental standards; recalls therefore the need to have a full transparent supply chain to guarantee the respect of EU standards as well as a high level information for the consumers;
Amendment 86 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Amendment 92 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights the overall importance of a well-functioning internal market in order to enhance Europe’s export capacity and secure our producer network; stresses that the model of the EU agriculture, based mainly on small- and medium-sized family farms with limited financial capacity, could suffer from an unfair competition deriving from free trade agreements; calls therefore the Commission and the Member states to be prepared to defend and support this model with a coherent and holistic trade policy, taking into account all costs and benefits deriving from it.