Politics

Common solutions for common challenges

The challenges we face cannot be solved by individual Member States alone. Only through international cooperation and commitment from the world’s major emitting countries can climate threats be resolved. EU cooperation is our most important instrument for driving environmental issues forward. I want to strengthen the EU’s ambitions concerning environmental and climate policies and tighten the current regulations. More common decisions at EU- and global level are necessary, both for the benefit of the environment and to ensure fair competition.

Biodiversity, chemicals, water and air are all parts of our environment. Everything is connected and must be managed jointly. We do this best at the EU level. Technically neutral economic instruments, such as emissions trading and a carbon dioxide tax, are key tools.

Regulations must be respected

Nevertheless, we do not only require new regulations. The existing regulations must also be better respected. In my work as the Chair of the Committee on Petitions, I see the outcome of Member States’ lack of implementation of EU environmental legislations. A large number of the petitions we receive raise allegations of misapplication or lack of protection of areas due to be protected by EU environmental laws. The EU Commission, as guardian of the treaty, must be much tougher against the Member States. It should be costly not to comply with the laws we jointly have agreed upon!

Clearer consumer and sustainability perspective needed

Another important part of EU environmental policy is agricultural policy, which needs to be reformed fundamentally. All direct payments and market-related regulations should be phased out as soon as possible, and instead, increased efforts are needed on environmental protection and conservation of biodiversity. Both the EU agricultural and food policy need a clearer consumer and sustainability perspective. It is important that we take a clear responsibility for the environment that we one-day will handled over to the next generation.

How we handle our animal husbandry is a measure of our civilisation - but also a prerequisite for good public health. All animal husbandry must guarantee animals a worthy life and a decent death. Just as in environmental legislation, verification of compliance with national laws and EU rules in this area must be significantly tightened.