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EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
Petition
Food production that doesn’t destroy the earth is the only way to guarantee the healthy food we need now and for future generations. Don’t give in to pressure from agri-giants. Commit to publishing your plans for an ambitious ‘Restore Nature Law’ to restore and regrow habitats such as forests, wetlands and rivers, and protect wildlife like bees and birds.
Why is this important?
Update July 2022
After gathering over 100,000 signatures we, together with our partners, convinced the Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, to announce the new law. Saying, “the citizens of Europe have demanded this.” [1] This proposal will now be voted on in Parliament. But experts are saying that the law’s announcement is already a landmark event. [2] The Restore Nature Law, will be the first in 30 years to stop wildlife disappearing in the EU: a massive win for nature.
[[1] Commission announcement during midday briefing 22 June 2022 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en^/speech_22_3968
[2] https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/european-union-proposes-law-bring-back-nature
Family farmers are doing us a big favour. Across Europe, their way of farming challenges the destructive ways of agri-giants. By planting different types of crops, taking care of the soil and planting more trees, family farmers grow healthier food while living in harmony with nature.
But they need our help. The EU was going to announce a new law that would protect their way of growing food that doesn’t destroy nature. [1]
But the agri-giant lobby fought hard to stop it, using the war in Ukraine as an excuse. With wheat and corn less available, they argued for a U-turn on the new law. All to protect their billions in profits and get their hands on the land this law wants to protect, like forests and wetlands. [2]
This law has now been put on hold. And unless the EU Commission sees a public outcry about this, the chances this law makes it back on the agenda are lower with each passing day. [3]
This is another corporate lobby scandal unfolding before our eyes. If we act now, as one, we can make sure the Commission hears our side of the story. If you think we should protect nature, add your name now and speak up with us!
References:
- The Restore Nature Law is a package of rules to protect fallow areas of land and make sure farmers are restoring nature on parts of their farms by, for example, planting trees, hedges, and fallows on their fields as well as pesticide and fertiliser reduction targets. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/strategy/biodiversity-strategy-2030/eu-nature-restoration-targets_en
- https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-russia-war-eu-food-farmer-green-deal-corn-fertilizer/
- The European Commission was expected to present a proposal for a new EU law for nature restoration law on the 23rd of March. But under pressure from vested interests, the law has now been delayed with no new publication date in sight. https://www.restorenature.eu/en
Tweet to EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
Agricultural giants are fighting dirty to stop a new law that will protect nature on farms and slow down global warming. This law would force farmers to leave some land free for trees and hedges. Helping to stop climate change by removing greenhouse gases from the air.
But agricultural giants would rather grab this land to make more profits and are paying corporate lobbyists massive fees to stop the law. Sacrificing the long-term livelihoods of farmers and our food security.
We’re gaining momentum though. The Commission Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Timmermans is already in favour of an ambitious law. But unless the Commissioner for the Environment Sinkevičius agrees, agri-giants will win. That’s where we come in: we can get him to take our side.
We know he cares deeply about protecting nature and slowing down global warming. But to stand up to the agri-giants, he needs to see that there is massive support for this law across Europe. Our community has shown that over 100.000 Europeans demand the EU protect nature and not profits.
So, let’s all send Commissioner Sinkevičius a message now to make sure he sees our petition and passes an ambitious law.
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Across Europe, a farming revolution is taking life. And it needs the backing of a community like ours to counter the deep pockets of agricultural giants who desperately want to keep the status quo. Each donation helps make this ambitious plan a reality!
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Protect nature not profits!
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Protect nature not profits!