EuroParlRadio

Full engagement of farmers needed for overhaul of food system – Markey

EU plans to radically overhaul how we produce our food will be challenging for farmers. That’s the verdict of Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey who was speaking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

MEPs this week approved a set of measures to help meet the objectives of the EU’s planned Farm to Fork Strategy. It aims to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU’s food system. 

The Strategy includes a fifty percent reduction (50%) of pesticides and at least a twenty percent (20%) reduction of fertilizers by 2030. It’s also aiming to have a quarter of agricultural land under organic farming by then.

But, according to Colm Markey, reaching those targets will require the full engagement of farmers.

Out words: that’s there

Dur: 00:17

Farm 2 Fork Fertilizer and Pesticide targets “challenging” – Markey

Farmers will need to be fully engaged in plans to radically change the way our food systems work. So says Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey.

The European Parliament this week approved a set of measures to help meet the objectives of the EU’s planned Farm to Fork Strategy. It aims to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU’s food system. 

The Farm to Fork Strategy includes a fifty percent reduction (50%) of pesticides and at least a  twenty percent (20%) reduction of fertilizers by 2030. And it aims to have a quarter of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030.

But Colm Markey admits reaching those goals won’t be easy for farmers.

Our words: the industry

Dur: 00:22

British “scrambling around” for hurdles on Protocol – MacManus

The Sinn Fein MEP Chris MacManus says he doesn’t know how the latest round of talks between the EU and the UK on the Northern Ireland protocol are going to pan out.

The Midlands North-West MEP held a private meeting yesterday with the European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič who's leading the EU negotiations with the UK.

He says British objections to European Court of Justice oversight of the Protocol, shows they’re coming up with obstacles. And that they’re “playing very fast and loose” with the peace process.  

Out words: can create

Dur: 00:28

Consumers demand eco and animal friendly food - Walsh

Shoppers are better informed about food and want change – that’s according to Maria Walsh. The European Parliament has just backed a resolution calling for a new “farm to fork” strategy. MEPs want the EU to set standards that ensure food, including meat, is both environmentally and animal friendly. According to EU statistics, just 1.6 per cent of agricultural land in Ireland is organically farmed. That compares to more than 25 per cent in Austria. Speaking from a farm in the west of Ireland, Fine Gael MEP, Maria Walsh, says food should be both good and affordable.

 

Out words: Food production

Dur: 0’25”

Sense of ‘uncertainty’ on UK Brexit negotiations with EU – MacManus

It’s very hard to second guess what the British government’s position will be on the EU proposals to resolve disagreements over the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

That’s according to Sinn Fein MEP Chris MacManus.

The Midlands North-West MEP held a private meeting yesterday with European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. He’s leading the EU negotiations with the UK.

Chris MacManus says the ball is quite firmly in the British court and that they need to let pragmatism come to the fore.   

Out words: toxic atmosphere

Dur: 00:32

Kelleher calls for Pandora powers

Billy Kelleher has called for a fightback against tax dodging brought to light in the recent Pandora Papers. The huge data leak revealed dodgy dealings and allegations against the rich and famous. The European Parliament will vote on a resolution today calling for loopholes to be urgently closed to end tax avoidance. Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, explains what he wants to see happen.

Out words: And an investigative system

Dur: 0’26”

COP “watershed moment” – Cuffe

Home renovations will need to double or triple to meet climate ambitions, Ciarán Cuffe has warned. With the crucial COP26 climate conference in Glasgow coming soon, there’s pressure to show action. The EU has already set a raft of targets for cutting emissions by 55 per cent by 2030, and reaching net zero by 2050. Dublin’s Green MEP, Ciarán Cuffe, says every sector will need to play its part, including housing.

 

Out words: Retrain workers

Dur: 0’25”

Farmers need support & incentives for Farm to Fork strategy – O’Sullivan

Farmers will need to be supported and incentivised to ensure they can cope with EU proposals to radically revamp the bloc’s food production systems over the coming years.

So says Green MEP Grace O’Sullivan who was speaking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

MEPs have just approved a set of measures to help meet the objectives of the EU’s proposed Farm to Fork Strategy. It aims to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU’s food system. 

The Farm to Fork Strategy includes a fifty percent reduction (50%) of pesticides and at least a  twenty percent (20%) reduction of fertilizers by 2030. And it's set a goal of having a quarter of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030.

Here’s Grace O’Sullivan

Out words: as possible

Dur: 00:30

EU dirty money agency to catch criminals

Former justice minister, Frances Fitzgerald, says that the new EU anti-money laundering authority is going to be a step-change in tackling dirty money. 'ALMA' promises to “transform” the patchwork of different approaches at the moment into a unified fighting force. Dublin MEP, Frances Fitzgerald, is convinced that the EU needs to work together otherwise the criminals will stay ahead.

Out words: And lax supervision

Dur: 0’23”

Plans for radical changes to farming backed by Parliament – O’Sullivan

MEPs in the European Parliament are calling for far-reaching plans to revamp the EU’s food systems to produce healthier and more sustainable food in the future.

The majority of MEPs have just approved a set of measures to help meet the objectives of the EU’s planned Farm to Fork Strategy. It aims to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU’s food system. 

The proposals include a significant reduction in the use of pesticides and fertilizers in farming and the allocation of more land for organic farming.

Green MEP Grace O’Sullivan says our current food production systems require significant overhaul.

Out words: in biodiversity

Dur: 00:36