Debate contributions by Jeannette BALJEU

Mr President, Europe is taking the first steps towards its own sustainable aviation and maritime fuel industry. The Sustainable Transport Investment Plan mobilises €2.9 billion until 2027. This is a good start, but far from the €100 billion needed by 2035. When scaling up synthetic fuels, we should not forget biofuels: they remain indispensable in the mix to make it more sustainable and meet the increasing demand in the context of ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime. That is why I welcome today's new bioeconomy strategy, which recognises a lasting role for these fuels. Fuel producers now need certainty: demand creation, clear market signals and the right framework conditions. In Rotterdam, for example, the producers show that they are ready to invest, but without certainty projects are paused or broken down. That is why we need to quickly develop a mechanism that links buyers and producers and returns part of the ETS revenues to the sector. Only in this way can we actually produce the fuels needed in Europe.

Mr President, Europe is losing billions in growth. And why? Not because our entrepreneurs are failing. No, because we do. We make rules, barriers, but above all we do national box thinking. As a result, we have 27 Member States, while we want to exploit one market. Recently I was looking for a company that specializes in products for hobby painters. A different label for each tube and a different label for 27 Member States. Sometimes on such small packages. That's not business, that's getting lost in rules. The Single Market Roadmap can indeed be a way in this. Fewer rules, especially for SMEs, are very welcome. Don't treat SMEs like multinationals, that's important. Then we put entrepreneurs back in their power. However, the question to the Council is: How do we get the Member States on the same page? The question to the Commission is: How are we going to enforce these common rules? Because we want to work, as the Renew Europe Group, to make the internal market the real engine for growth.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I am here on behalf of Dutch SMEs and the many entrepreneurs across Europe who struggle with overly complex tendering frameworks on a daily basis. Existing regulations are inscrutable and discouraging, especially for small businesses. With our own-initiative report, we advocate simplification and clear and flexible rules that give room for innovation and growth. In addition, tenders should focus on the best price-quality ratio and not only on the lowest price. Sustainability, innovation and safety must be central. After all, cheap choices cost us twice as much later. I prefer a long-term view. This also means protecting and strengthening our European businesses, where possible with local procurement, with less paperwork. That should be the first option. Finally, it's time for a real European preference in strategic sectors. We need to embrace our industry in Europe rather than dispel it. In this way, we support our economy, keep ourselves safe, exploit our internal market and create an autonomous and strong Europe.

Mr President, water is not only vital for people and the environment, it is also a strategic resource. We can't live without enough clean water. Then we cannot guarantee food security, achieve climate goals and support innovative industries. Most of you probably think that the Netherlands has enough water, but we also have persistent drought. This makes us realize that we are not immune to water damage. It is therefore high time that we better protect our water and our infrastructure against risks, such as drought, floods, pollution, but also cyberattacks. These risks cannot be covered by legislation alone. I therefore call on the EU to facilitate by enabling innovation, cooperation and investment, especially in agriculture and industry. Let the message of this report be clear: Europe must become water-intelligent. This is not a luxury, but a necessity for our health, prosperity and security.

Mr President, Europe must become more entrepreneurial, not more bureaucratic. Entrepreneurs want to innovate and grow. Don't forget: the majority of entrepreneurs in Europe are small and medium-sized enterprises. They become entangled in a forest of reporting obligations. As far as I am concerned, we must take SMEs as a starting point. So that's why I asked this question: Can the Commission commit itself by default to the "think small (business) first" principle in European legislation? In addition, I am not in favour of double agreements, such as the CSRD and the CSDDD. In addition, the OECD Guidelines have been in place for years, including an enforcement tool through national contact points. How does the Commission intend to use existing international agreements, such as the OECD Guidelines, as a starting point? The Omnibus proposal is a good first step, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Fewer reports are needed, because it is ultimately about trust in the entrepreneurs, about innovation and competitiveness.

Mr President, Commissioner, a strong internal market is the foundation for growth and progress and the means to survive the upcoming trade war. Because only if we really operate as one block, one internal market, do we stand strong. The recently presented Competitiveness Compass should contribute to this. It provides a clear roadmap, but the urgency is great and speed is needed for our industry. You called it chemistry, and I was happy about it. But we really need to implement the Clean Industrial Deal. What can the European Commission do to increase the pace with the Member States, and not just Germany and France, as I just heard a colleague here in the Chamber say? The drastic reduction of regulatory burden is also crucial, especially for SMEs. First think of SMEs when we look at regulations, because the majority of entrepreneurs in our countries are SMEs. It is therefore important, Commissioner Séjourné, what you are going to do with it. How do you look at that? Europe must once again become the place for innovation, for sustainable products and technologies. We need to flourish. Only then will we survive our competition.

Mr President, Commissioner. I am hearing more and more reports about reducing investment in our European industry. In many places, it is feared that sustainability will slow down. Also in the cluster Rotterdam, Antwerp and the Ruhr area. The Green Deal is a necessary step towards a clean economy and I want to stick to that. But stability is needed for a strong business environment. We must not ignore this cry for help. Europe needs to regain its competitiveness. That is why we need impact assessments of the Green Deal programme. In particular, we need to assess the effects on the large industrial clusters. We must also take into account the consequences for the entire chain. Without solutions, we will lose not only European industry, but also value chains. And we're not there yet. Because the industry is committed to sustainability. But there is insufficient demand for clean products, which they can and want to make. I therefore call on the Commission to work on creating a genuine European market for clean industrial products. Demand development is important.

Mr President, Commissioner, in light of our goal to make the EU a competitive and sustainable powerhouse, I welcome the commitments of the Budapest declaration. Firstly, I cannot stress enough the need for a collective effort to unlock the full potential of our single market which is a driver for innovation, growth and resilience. This is especially vital for our manufacturing sectors which are central to European competitive and sustainable process. Building a more circular and resourceful, efficient economy is a fundamental part of ensuring long‑term sustainability. Our manufacturing sectors have a crucial role to play as we aim to use resources wisely, reduce waste and transition to a circular economy that promotes growth and is environmentally responsible. But Commissioner, to make sure that we will meet our CO2 targets, carbon capture and storage is needed. A right framework on implementation and transport should be part of a clean industrial deal. Let's take action for an innovative, sustainable and resilient EU where business can thrive.

Mr President, Commissioner, Europeans place countless orders on foreign e-commerce platforms every day. Customs in the Netherlands alone processes 3.5 million parcels per day, forty per second. Let's be clear about it: Most of these packages come from China. Chinese companies are flooding our market with products, such as toys, that do not meet our European standards and safety regulations. Recent research shows that the majority of children's toys coming from Chinese companies and online platforms are absolutely not safe. But also think of the enormous amount of ultrafast fashion from websites such as Shein and Temu, which have very different production and sustainability standards. As far as I am concerned, that is totally unacceptable. That is why my request to the Commission and to colleagues here is: ensure a level playing field between European and non-European companies. Our customs can't solve everything and can't check every package. Therefore, Chinese companies must be held strictly responsible for the goods they bring into the EU and ensure that the items delivered to our consumers at their home address are safe.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the effects of climate change are being felt across Europe. We are seeing this again with the tragic events in Central Europe. European residents are increasingly confronted with droughts, sea level rise and floods. Agriculture is also hit hard. Everywhere, in southern Europe, but also, for example, in the Netherlands, drought results in freshwater shortages for agriculture, among other things, but also in further salinisation of the soil, to which crops are not resistant. Both situations affect our food supply. That is why I call on the European Commission to publish its announced water resilience strategy. Citizens, farmers and businesses need a coordinated plan as soon as possible, also to better deal with drought. In order to ensure our food security, innovations that contribute to climate-resilient crops, including new breeding techniques, the so-called NGTs, need to be allowed in the short term. Is this going to be done quickly?

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, this is a serious subject on which I am giving my maiden speech today. The floods in Central and Eastern Europe have cost lives and destroyed communities. My thoughts go out to the victims, among residents and aid workers, and their families. This disaster, like the floods in the Netherlands in 2021 and the many forest fires in southern Europe, painfully reminds us of how climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters. My call today is twofold. I call on the Commission to strengthen the EU Civil Protection Mechanism where necessary. European cooperation is essential in preventing and dealing with natural disasters. Let us also show determination in the fight against climate change. This includes a sound climate adaptation strategy. The years of Dutch experience in the fight against water shows that we can protect ourselves by investing specifically in water management and making investments. Climate adaptation and innovation, let's focus on that.