Debate contributions by Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA

Mr President, Madam Minister, Commissioner Roswall, despite the efforts made by the institutions and the significant increase in social awareness of biodiversity, the possibilities offered by the Internet and social networks have clearly favoured an increase in the demand for protected, banned wild species. In particular through online commerce and, worse, poaching of threatened species. The need arises to act on CITES for legal trade to be sustainable, and in the long term. To achieve this, we need greater digitalisation and better traceability to ensure the control of trade in these wild species, together with better border control and the implementation of coercive measures in case of non-compliance, something that is currently barely happening. Likewise, we cannot forget that unregulated trade poses risks to both human and animal health, as well as to local and global biodiversity. On the one hand, the risks of the spread of pathogens and the emergence of zoonotic diseases increase, mainly through the importation of smuggled meat. On the other hand, the import of wild species without control can lead to the appearance, directly or indirectly, of invasive species that destroy local biodiversity, as is the case, for example, with the wasp. velutina, which is not only significantly reducing the bee population of the European Union, Mr President, but is responsible for several human deaths. Last week in my country.

Madam President, the debate we are having today has not started today. For years, for ideological reasons, partisan use has been made of a power that the European Parliament has, as an institution, to issue objections to legislative acts. Various reasons are put forward, but, at bottom, the only thing in the vast majority of these objections is an ideological fundamentalism and sometimes even a covert business. Multiple objections have been voted here against authorisations granted to genetically modified organisms or scientifically endorsed active substances. And therein lies the problem: not in the lack of democratic legitimacy, which some want to show, but in a lack of respect for the scientific opinions of our independent agencies. The objections have become a tool to cast doubt systematically on the scientific criteria of agencies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) or the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). As the European Union, we have them at the right time, following the right processes to have an independent analysis on which the Commission must base its decisions on technical aspects. We European citizens have a long life expectancy and good health, thanks precisely to the work of these agencies, which evaluate the food and substances available within our borders. In fact, in my opinion, our processes and decisions become – sometimes – too demanding, and agriculture is one of the big ones harmed by not having the tools at its disposal – and, in addition, by suffering unfair competition from third countries. Enough of putting obstacles to scientific progress. Thanks to genetically modified organisms, which some demonize, thanks to these active substances that prevent diseases and pests, on the one hand, diabetics have insulin at their disposal, and, on the other hand, farmers have controlled these pests and the crops that produce the quality food we feed on. These are just two examples. The lack of legitimacy lies in objections motivated by the archaic and deceptive ideology that some defend.

Madam President, with this political report we laid the foundations for our position on water resilience. With 20% of territories and 30% of the European population affected by water stress, the Strategy should focus on how to reconcile the challenge of ensuring water supply for citizens, industry and, above all, agriculture with the protection of the environment and biodiversity without losing competitiveness. Our food sovereignty is at stake. I will therefore defend the work of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, whose opinion on this matter focuses on ensuring food security and food autonomy. The water destined for agriculture is destined for all citizens, which we feed thanks to the efforts of our farmers. The European Union must take water management very seriously. It is a cross-border problem that requires investment in infrastructure and also requires coordination between Member States and regions. I am sure that the European Commission will take our work into account.

Madam President, access to water must be a priority for any administration in the world. I appreciate the initiatives launched in recent years at EU level following the European Citizens’ Initiative Right2Water. of whose report in this House I was shadow rapporteur in 2015. According to the 6th Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations, access to drinking water and sanitation must be guaranteed, as a fundamental strategy to mitigate climate change in the coming years. And, in Spain, where droughts are structural, we are aware of this reality. According to estimates by the European Environment Agency, water scarcity is something that will worsen as a result of climate change, especially in southern Europe. Given this situation, it is essential to consider how we can improve water infrastructure and develop strategies to guarantee access to this vital resource. And this must also be boosted at EU level through cross-border plans and funds to carry out the necessary investments. I trust Commissioner Roswall will also work along these lines. Finally, I would like to emphasise the role of innovation. It is necessary to promote projects aimed at improving the efficiency, cleaning and reuse of water for consumption. In Spain, great examples of this are the Canal de Isabel II, which participated last year in thirty-two innovation projects, or the SmartLagoon, a digital environmental innovation project to protect lagoons such as the Mar Menor. I hope that research into water quality, access and management will continue to be supported in the next financial framework.

Mr President, I have carefully reviewed the Budapest Declaration that we are debating today and I am glad to see that the Member States are ready to bet on competitiveness, while maintaining the ambitious emissions targets set in recent years. But I miss something fundamental in this text which says that the reports of Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi are welcomed. I believe that, in addition to deepening the policies that are proposed, greater investment in the budget of the European Union by the Member States is necessary. We know that the Union is essential to protect our interests and develop common policies, but it is very difficult, if not impossible, to do more European policy without increasing the Union budget. Taking it to the agricultural sector, which is the one I know best, there are increasing environmental demands that make production costs more expensive for farmers, but the funds allocated to ensure food autonomy and food security remain the same. In addition, in order to address the structural problems of the European primary sector, such as generational renewal or closure of farms, additional funds are needed. To achieve what is written in point 12 of the Declaration, a solid economic commitment in the agricultural sector is necessary. To show political interest you have to talk about money.

Madam President, I would like to express my condolences to the families of all the victims and to convey an emotional message to those affected, especially to the family of Izan and Ruben. When belief is imposed on science, mistakes are made that unfortunately cost lives, hundreds of lives this time. The channels must be cleaned regularly. It is necessary to develop water infrastructures and maintain in good condition the vegetable masses of sotos or forests to avoid tragedies in floods and droughts. Fires must also be fought - they will come, because summer will come, and they are also disasters - so forest tracks and firebreaks must be kept clean. We are in time to avoid the tragedy that may occur next summer or any other summer. Teresa Ribera, from the Government of Spain, has not learned that the biotope without biocenosis – that is, without human life – is useless. The natural environment and its care must go hand in hand with the protection of people. And, from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge in Spain, they do not know, they do not want to know and, what is worse, they refuse to learn from others.

Mr President, Commissioner, when we talk about the competitiveness skills gap, we tend to always focus on sectors related to IT development or the 4.0 economy. However, there is a key economic sector for our strategic autonomy and competitiveness that is often overlooked, such as agriculture and livestock. In recent decades there has been a huge evolution in the use of new technologies and precision techniques in the primary sector, which require specific and advanced training so that their full potential can be squeezed. Along these lines, I would like to congratulate the European Commission for promoting the Pact for Skills in the agri-food sector: I know that there is a willingness to continue to support him during this term of office and I hope so. It is vital for the development of the economic fabric of rural areas and to encourage generational renewal. And in the same vein, I would like to take the opportunity, before concluding, to call for a vision of agriculture as an attractive economic sector to be promoted also in the compulsory training stages. Agriculture and livestock must be a fundamental element in our competitiveness strategies and, without attracting future professionals, it will be extremely difficult to achieve this.

Mr President, first of all, I would like to join in the messages of solidarity with the victims and those affected by the floods in Central and Eastern Europe. Extreme weather events like this remind us of the importance of investing in measures and infrastructure that help prevention. Floods and droughts are two sides of the same coin: there is a need for better water management and its impact on the food autonomy of the European Union. In Spain, unfortunately, we are well aware of the effects that droughts have on people, our forest mass, our soils and our crops. This is a problem that affects all Europeans and requires a cross-border vision, investments from all levels and coordinated policies. From the European Union we have to promote investments both in the maintenance and construction of dams, to ensure a constant flow and the generation of renewable energies, and in irrigation systems that allow us a more efficient use of water. We must avoid situations like the one we live in my region, La Rioja, where the Soto-Terroba dam has been under construction for 16 years. The European Union must allocate investments and resources to alleviate the drought we are experiencing.