STRASBOURG: In response to widespread protests from European farmers, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday recommended abandoning a plan aimed at reducing pesticide use in agriculture, acknowledging the deep divisions it has caused within the bloc.
Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen conceded that the original proposal, which sought to halve chemical pesticide usage in the EU by the end of the decade as part of the green transition, had become a symbol of polarization. Given its lack of progress in both parliamentary and council discussions, she announced her intention to withdraw the proposal.
EU to Reconsider Pesticide Policy
The pesticide issue is just one of the many grievances fueling a mass protest movement among EU farmers, who have recently utilized tractors to block key roads, protesting against dwindling incomes and escalating production costs.
The farmers’ movement has attracted attention from far-right and anti-establishment parties, with the environment debate evolving into a politically charged issue ahead of the upcoming European elections in June.
Last week’s EU summit in Brussels saw 1,300 tractors congesting the area, propelling the farmers’ revolt to the forefront of the leaders’ agenda and prompting additional concessions, particularly in France.
Protests continued on Tuesday, with demonstrations planned outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg and ongoing protests in the Netherlands.
Acknowledging the frustrations of farmers, von der Leyen affirmed the need to listen to their concerns. However, she also emphasized the necessity for European agriculture to transition towards a more sustainable production model, one that is environmentally friendly and preserves soil quality.
Reflecting on the challenges in conveying this message effectively, she admitted, “Perhaps we have not made that case convincingly.”
