Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel has welcomed the European Commission proposals for reforms to the EU agricultural policy. "The Commission has taken up the new challenges of a future-oriented, sustainable agriculture in Europe. Climate change, the loss of biological diversity, the use of renewable energies and effective water management are vitally important issues. It is time that both farmers and agricultural policy-makers address these challenges."
Gabriel stressed that agriculture has a decisive influence on nature and the environment, noting that biological diversity, climate, soils and water bodies are dependent on sustainable management. At the same time, they are the fundamental prerequisites for the production of high-quality food. This applies not only to Europe, but throughout the world. "The 9th meeting of the COP to the Convention on Biological Diversity currently taking place in Bonn is also addressing the issue of agriculture," said Gabriel. "The EU can only expect other countries to make efforts to achieve environmentally sound agriculture if it leads by example. For this reason, EU agricultural policy must have a stronger focus on sustainable development.
In order to meet the new challenges, the Commission's draft regulation includes a provision under which some of the direct payments are rededicated to environmental programmes and other measures for rural development. These funds are intended to help agriculture adjust to changed conditions and new environmental challenges. Gabriel: "The rise in agricultural prices makes agricultural subsidies obsolete. On the other hand, agriculture which operates for and with nature still deserves our support."