6 Amendments of Esther DE LANGE related to 2012/0337(COD)
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) Soil plays a vital role in achieving the EU’s biodiversity objective. Its degradation has primarily local and regional causes and impact. Therefore, the principle of subsidiarity should consequently be respected. Member States are called upon to fulfil their obligations in terms of guaranteeing soil quality and keep the soil in good condition. Member States without soil protection legislation are urged to shoulder their responsibilities.
Amendment 162 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 19
Annex 1 – point 19
19. Protecting, conserving and enhancing the EU’s natural capital therefore also requires tackling problems at source through, inter alia, better integration of natural capital objectives into other policies, ensuring that policies are coherent and deliver co-benefits. The greening elements set out in the Commission’s reform proposals, notably for EU agriculture, fisheries and cohesion policy, backed by the proposals for greening the EU budget under the Multi-Annual Financial Framework 2014-2020 (MFF) are designed to support these objectives. For instance, aquatic ecosystems in rural areas should benefit from the linking of farm payments to compliance with relevant requirements of the WFD as set out in the Commission's proposals for the reform ofobjective and measurable criteria laid down in the CAPWFD. Greening of the CAP will also promote the environmentally beneficial agricultural practices of crop diversification, the protection of permanent grassland, and the establishment and maintenance of ecologically valuable farmland and forest areas. A key component of sustainable agriculture is resource-efficient and productive land use consistent with the interests of future generations.
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 22
Annex 1 – point 22
22. The degradation, fragmentation and unsustainable use of land in the EU is jeopardising the provision of several key ecosystem services, threatening biodiversity and increasing Europe’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. It is also driving soil degradation. More than 25% of the EU's territory is affected by soil erosion by water, which compromises soil functions and affects the quality of freshwater. Soil contamination and sealing are also persistent problems. More than half a million sites across the EU are thought to be contaminated and until they are identified and assessed, they continue to pose potentially serious environmental and health risks. Every year more than 1 000 km² of land are taken for housing, industry, transport or recreational purposes. These long-term changes are difficult or costly to reverse, and nearly always involve trade-offs between various social, economic and environmental needs. Member States' planning decisions relating to land use should be made more sustainable. With a view to addressing the serious problem of the sealing of the soil, the EU Member States should be required to take steps to reduce the area of land which has been built on and to safeguard agricultural land used to produce food, feedingstuffs and renewable raw materials.
Amendment 181 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 23
Annex 1 – point 23
23. To reduce the most significant man- made pressures on land, soil and other ecosystems in Europe, action will be taken to ensure that decisions relating to land use at all relevant levels give proper consideration to environmental as well as social and economic impacts. The Rio+20 Summit outcome called for a 'land degradation neutral world'. The EU and Member States should reflect on how best to make such a commitment operational within their respective competencies as well as to address soil quality issues within a binding legal framework. Targets will also be set for sustainable land use and soil.
Amendment 182 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 23 – footnote 42
Annex 1 – point 23 – footnote 42
Amendment 451 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 89 a (new)
Annex 1 – point 89 a (new)
89a. The Union's food security policy should be based on sustainable agriculture and fair trade. Supplying an adequate amount of food to a growing world population with changing consumption patterns puts pressure on natural resources as a result of climate change. Protein imports from third countries with an inadequate level of environmental protection could be reduced by encouraging the planting of protein crops in the EU. In addition, the EU is committed to requiring that there be appropriate, regulatory bilateral and multilateral environmental protection measures.