"While the European Council was in session, farmers from across Europe were taking to the streets, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said.
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"Many of them feel pushed into a corner. Farmers are the first in line feeling the effects of climate change. Droughts and floods have destroyed their harvests and threatened livestock.
"Farmers are feeling the impact of the Russian war. Inflation, the rising cost of energy and fertilisers. Nevertheless, they work hard every day, to produce the quality food we eat. For this, I think we owe them appreciation and thanks and respect.
"It is true. Issues have escalated in recent years. Our farmers deserve to be listened to. I know that they are worried about the future of agriculture and about their future as farmers.
"But they also know that agriculture needs to move to a more sustainable model of production, so that their farms remain profitable in the years to come. And we want to make sure that in this process, the farmers remain in the driving seat.
"This is why we launched the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture in the European Union.
"We have invited a broad scope of representatives of the farming sector, the young farmers, the rural communities, the seed and fertiliser industry, the food sector, the processing sector, but also the financial sector, the cooperative banking sector, the consumers and environmental groups, and of course science.
"We need to analyse the situation together, share ideas and most importantly develop scenarios for the future. We need to move beyond a polarised debate and to create trust. Trust is the crucial basis for viable solutions.
"There is a lot at stake for all of us. Our European food production system is unique. The products in our supermarkets reflect the variety of our cultures and traditions. Europe has the healthiest and highest-quality food in the world, thanks to our farmers.
"They play a central role in this system, and of course, they must be paid fairly for that. It is true that we provide huge support to this sector.
"Our Common Agricultural Policy is supported massively by the EU budget.
"Money is important but it is not everything. Healthy natural resources are also key to maintaining high yields.
"In particular, fertile soil has always been the backbone of our farmers' livelihoods. And we know that 60-70% of soils in Europe are now in poor condition. We can reverse these trends. And many farmers are precisely doing that. But we need to do more.
"Effective nature protection must offer generous incentives for intervening. Farmers need a worthwhile business case for nature-enhancing measures – perhaps we have not made that case convincingly.
"A real incentive that goes beyond mere loss of yield is required.
"Public subsidies can provide those incentives and for example premium labelling, in cooperation with retailers and processors.
"In other words, nature conservation can only be successful through a bottom-up and incentive-based approach. Because only if our farmers can live off their land will they invest in the future. And only if we achieve our climate and environmental goals together, will farmers be able to continue to make a living.
"Our farmers are well aware of this. And we should place more trust in them. Let me give you one example. The Commission proposed SUR, which is the worthy aim to reduce the risks of chemical plant protection products.
"But the SUR proposal has become a symbol of polarisation. It has been rejected by the European Parliament. There is no progress anymore in the Council either.
"So we have to do something. That is why I will propose to the College to withdraw this proposal.
"But of course, the topic stays . And to move forward, more dialogue and a different approach is needed. And on this basis, the Commission could make a new proposal with much more matured content and with the stakeholders together." ■