Debate contributions by Jessica POLFJÄRD

Madam President, thank you very much. We live in troubled times. The world around us is increasingly uncertain and Europe's ability to withstand crises is therefore becoming increasingly important. Medicines are an important part of our preparedness. Today, around 80% of pharmaceutical ingredients are imported from a few countries, with China accounting for almost half. This makes the EU vulnerable to a crisis, which was evident not least during the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to essential medicines is crucial for resilience, including in peacetime. Sweden and Europe have a world-class pharmaceutical industry and therefore have enormous potential to become more resilient. Obstacles to production are currently the main cause of shortages of medicines. Manufacturing in Europe needs to be facilitated and supply chains secured. With increased pharmaceutical production, Europe becomes both a safer and safer place to live. In an increasingly uncertain world, we need a stronger Europe and secure access to medicines.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner, thank you very much. International waters require international cooperation. The sea is our common heritage. We have a responsibility both to ourselves and to future generations to manage that heritage. That is why we must work together to protect our seas beyond our national borders. Marine biodiversity must be safeguarded both in European waters and worldwide. The BBNJ agreement, which will enter into force as early as next year, will be an important step on the road to protecting our oceans. I am proud that all countries in the EU have signed the agreement. It is a strong signal to the world that Europe protects our common resources, that we protect our oceans and that we take responsibility for the future. I would like to thank the rapporteur and the shadow rapporteurs of the other groups for their good cooperation, and I look forward to continuing to cooperate after tomorrow's vote and further into the trilogue negotiations.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner Jørgensen! Every year in October, we pay attention to breast cancer – the most common form of cancer in women. Too many have either suffered themselves or have someone close to them who has done so. But thanks to focused work, we have made great progress in the fight against cancer. In Sweden, nine out of ten survive their diagnosis, but this is not the case in all of Europe. There are still significant differences in both incidence and mortality across Europe. There is a direct link between countries that invest in screening and prevention and reduced mortality. That is why Europe's countries must invest in preventing, detecting and combating breast cancer, so that all women in Europe have equal care and chances of survival.

Thank you, Mr President. Madam Commissioner Roswall! In July every year in my hometown Västerås, thousands of people gather to experience the festivities with vintage cars, with cruising, and if you feel a little romantic, you can even get married. For many, vintage cars are more than just cars, it's also a lifestyle. To finally show off his car after many hours of work and care in the garage all winter. I think that many people feel an extra pride when they get to go in the fine car cruising. Unfortunately, the original proposal risks classifying vintage cars as end-of-life vehicles and thus they must be scrapped. I am therefore proud that we moderates, together with stakeholders in the industry and the Social Democrats, have brought about a change. It is therefore very strange to listen to the Sweden Democrats and Beatrice Timgren here in plenary. You have not made a single proposal. You haven't even been able to lift a single finger to help save the vintage cars. But tomorrow the Sweden Democrats have the opportunity to vote to preserve an important part of Swedish culture, and I think you should take it.

Mr President, I would like to thank you. Commissioner Kadis. Commissioner Roswall. The Baltic Sea is today one of the world's most polluted seas and the situation is serious. We see how both fish stocks and the fishing industry are threatened. In just a few years, small-scale fishermen have been forced to close down their businesses, for the simple reason that there are no longer any fish in the sea. This has major consequences for coastal communities, the marine ecosystem and biodiversity. A concerted effort through the Maritime Pact is crucial for the survival of the Baltic Sea. Therefore, it is important that the pact also prioritises the Baltic Sea. Because we need a holistic approach to rebuilding fish stocks, improving the aquatic environment and securing fishing opportunities for future generations. For today's efforts are tomorrow's catch.

Madam President, I would like to thank you for your It is a long-awaited debate that we are holding today. How can the EU strengthen its competitiveness? How will we fare better in the global competition? More sectors need innovation and an active industrial policy. I intend to focus on a part of the competitiveness compass, and it is the one on the pharmaceutical sector, which is an important part of competitiveness. We see that the Commission will present new proposals for biotechnology to enable the use of new technologies. But if Sweden and the EU are to cope with competition and maintain a position at the forefront, we need to do more. The new pharmaceutical legislation needs to be put in place to cut red tape and free up more resources for both research and innovation. By investing in research, promoting innovation and improving regulatory frameworks, we can create growth while preparing for the challenges and crises of the future. If we succeed in ensuring a competitive pharmaceutical industry, Sweden and the EU can not only face tougher competition, but also future crises. We know from lessons learned from the pandemic that it is when we work together that we can also stand strong and clear challenges going forward.

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, thank you very much. It is almost three years since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. For three years, the Ukrainian people have shown unimaginable resilience and courage. As friends of freedom, we have a duty to support Ukraine financially, militarily and humanitarianly. Russia is circumventing the sanctions by means of falsely flagged vessels on the Baltic Sea. At the same time, we can see underwater activities. We see that the Baltic Sea has become a target both above and below the water. The EU has done a lot, but more needs to be done. Above all, we need to stop the war economy that finances Russia’s war against Ukraine, among others. I am sure that we can do more from here the EU, together with other actors, to overcome what needs to be done for Ukraine to win the war.

Mr President, I would like to thank you. Farmers want to cut emissions. They want to contribute to the green transition and strengthen our food security. But too many farmers today are struggling under a heavy regulatory burden, climate change and reduced profitability. At the same time, our expectations for them to produce more food, invest in the green transition and reduce emissions are increasing. In order for this to be possible, we must ensure that agriculture has the right conditions to run sustainable and competitive farms with increased profitability. To achieve this, a number of measures are needed, and today we have voted for a new Commission in which I hope that this is taken seriously. We need to reduce the regulatory burden. Farmers must be able to do what they do best – farm their land. We need to enable new technologies in agriculture, so that we can have agriculture that is able to withstand climate change such as droughts and floods, while also increasing the production of food. If we succeed in this, we will strengthen the competitiveness of our farmers. Europe's food security and agriculture must be given the opportunity to make the transition.

Madam President, I would like to thank you for your Madam Commissioner, I would like to thank you for your At the same time as we are debating in this House, my sons are sitting at home in Sweden on a tractor and sowing winter wheat to contribute to our common food supply. That makes me proud. But what worries me is that many farmers today are asking themselves if it is worth continuing. This is largely due to droughts and floods, but also due to a heavy regulatory burden. It is therefore to be welcomed that the Commission has initiated a dialogue on the future of agriculture. Strengthening the competitiveness of agriculture must be part of the EU's priorities for the coming years. Unfortunately, there are parts of the report that risk doing the opposite, with signals to make agriculture more detailed and let politics choose who is the winner and who is the loser. That's not our mission. The dialogue proposes only strengthening plant-based agri-food chains and introducing tax cuts for sustainable products. My question will then be: Who decides what is sustainable and what is not?