European Commission Daily News 14th January
Agriculture: Commission publishes list of potential eco-schemes
The Commission published a list of potential agricultural practices that eco-schemes could support in the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Part of the CAP reform currently under negotiation between the European Parliament and the Council, eco-schemes are a new instrument designed to reward farmers who choose to go further in terms of environmental care and climate action. This list aims to contribute to the debate around the CAP reform and its role in reaching the Green Deal targets. This list also enhances transparency of the process for establishing the Strategic CAP Plans, and provides farmers, administrations, scientists and stakeholders a basis for further discussion on making the best use of this new instrument. The future CAP will play a crucial role in managing the transition towards a sustainable food system and in supporting European farmers throughout. Eco-schemes will contribute significantly to this transition and to the Green Deal targets. The Commission published the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies in May 2020. The Commission presented its proposals for the CAP reform in 2018, introducing a more flexible, performance and results-based approach that takes into account local conditions and needs, while increasing EU level ambitions in terms of sustainability. The European Parliament and Council agreed on their negotiating positions on the reform of the CAP on 23 and 21 October 2020, respectively, enabling the start of the trilogues on 10 November 2020. The Commission is determined to play its full role in the CAP trilogue negotiations as an honest broker between the co-legislators and as a driving force for greater sustainability to deliver on the European Green Deal objectives. A factsheet is available online and more information can be found here. (For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tel.: +32 229 99075; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.: +32 229 63303)
Lahti (Finland) starts its European Green Capital year
An opening ceremony that starts tomorrow at 11:00 CET will officially mark the start of the European Green Capital year 2021 for Lahti in Finland. Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said on the occasion: “The European Green Capital title is a recognition, but it is at the same time a responsibility for the cities receiving it that they will continue working for green policies and actions and will set a good example to follow. I am convinced that Lahti has lessons to share in its management of air quality, its ambitious climate goals of becoming carbon neutral by 2025 and how it works to change people’s behaviour to more sustainable.” Carrying the title of European Green Capital, Lahti will drive the implementation of the European Green Deal at local level, support local climate mitigation targets and the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 or the Circular Economy. The European Green Capital designation is awarded by the European Commission following a stringent international competition. Lahti – Finland’s eighth largest city – is the 12th European Green Capital, taking the turn from Lisbon, Portugal. In the competition for the title it performed strongly across all environmental thematic areas covered by the award, most notably in air quality, waste, green growth & eco-innovation and governance. To follow the ceremony, register here. (For more information: Vivian Loonela – Tel.: +32 229 66712; Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 229 53664)
Read the European Commission Daily News in full here.
