Motion for a resolution by the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development AGRI

Farmers for a sustainable future: With the future of the Common Agricultural Policy focusing even more on environmental care, how can the EU and its Member States support farmers towards the adoption of more eco-friendly techniques? Chaired byVictoria Saad(DE)

The European Youth Parliament aims to enable a future, where food is produced in an environmentally friendly, eco-conscious way, in line with the Green Deal. Farmers will utilise sustainable methods, keeping in mind planetary boundaries. Future agriculture will focus on the implementation of scientific discoveries to ensure food safety worldwide.

• Aware that agriculture accounted for EUR 60 billion of the EU budget in 2019, • Deeply concerned that farming accounted for 8.72% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in the EU in 2017, • Reminding that the European Green Deal foresees a carbon-neutral EU by 2050, • Alarmed by the increased erosion that is affecting 25% of the EU’s agricultural land, • Concerned about the negative impact of the increased number of droughts and intense rain periods on agriculture, • Noting with concern that although 65% of consumers are willing to spend more money on environmentally friendly products, only 26% actually choose to purchase these, • Fully alarmed that 42% of EU citizens are lacking information and education about environmental issues;

The European Youth Parliament,

1. Suggests that the European Commission and the European Council update the

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to strictly align to the goals set in the Paris

Agreement as well as the Green Deal; 2. Proposes that the European Commission establishes guidelines for 90% of the CAP funds of 2028-2034 to be allocated for the second pillar of the policy with a focus on promoting environmentally sustainable farming and only 10% utilised for the first pillar; 3. Calls upon the European Commission and Member States to adapt the funding allocation specified for the CAP to provide additional funds dedicated to farmers employing environmentally friendly agricultural methods; 4. Asks the European Commission to introduce a carbon tax on food items for agricultural products with high GHG emissions imported in the EU and distribute the revenue among farmers who are adapting more eco-friendly methods; 5. Asks the European Commission to introduce a carbon tax on food items for agricultural products with high GHG emissions imported in the EU and distribute the revenue among farmers who are adapting more eco-friendly methods;

6. Calls uponthe European Commission to introduce a carbon tax on food items for agricultural products with high GHG emissions imported in the EU and distribute the revenue among farmers who are adapting more eco-friendly methods; 7. Welcomes Member States to promote a more plant-based diet and raise awareness regarding environmental issues by: a. informing citizens on the environmental impact of their diet, b. adding informative courses in their educational system, c. launching media campaigns focused on the relation between our diet and the environment.