After the migration policy, will the government also find support for its agricultural policy in Brussels? The new proposed European Commissioner for Agricultural Affairs, the Luxembourg citizen Christophe Hansen, did not want to reveal much during his hearing in the European Parliament on Monday. But between the lines you heard conservative language that is also heard in The Hague.
Reduce the livestock herd? “There is still work to be done,” Hansen said approvingly, when it comes to reducing the sector’s greenhouse emissions. But, he added, agriculture is only responsible for 11 percent of all emissions in the EU. He would “rather first try out technical solutions before we bluntly force a smaller herd.”
Hansen saw little in the suggestion of Dutch MEP Anna Strolenberg (Volt) to pay more attention to vegetable proteins as part of the European diet. “I don’t want to decide who should eat what. That is not how the European Union works,” said the Christian Democrat. “My doctor has also told me to eat less red meat, but I think it would be very dangerous to impose this from above.”
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Like a shrewd diplomat, the Luxembourger spent three hours trying to accommodate every side during his hearing. Because parliament has the final say on the 26 candidates that President Ursula von der Leyen wants to include in her European Commission, sparks can fly. But even if a candidate masters this, the interrogations offer an insight into the plans of the new Commission.
Opposition
One of the big questions is how much work Von der Leyen and her team want to make in the next five years of the green plans that have been prepared in recent years. The Green Deal, which Von der Leyen launched together with Frans Timmermans (now the GroenLinks/PvdA leader), is full of plans to make Europe more sustainable. But the opposition is growing, led by Manfred Weber, the German leader of the Christian Democratic bloc in the European Parliament. A deforestation law has been postponed for a year, the wolf will now receive less protection and this spring the nature restoration law almost died.
According to Weber and other Christian Democrats, too little attention was paid to European citizens when creating the Green Deal. Despite the good results in the recent European Parliament elections, there is a strong fear of an electoral punishment, partly fueled by the successful result of the BBB in the Provincial Council elections in the Netherlands in 2023. To prevent such a blow in subsequent elections follows, Weber wants fewer green rules.
Agriculture seems to be a logical target: the farming population is small and shrinking, but the issue is alive and well among large parts of the population, as the farmers’ protests have shown. At the same time, pressure on the sector to adapt is growing. Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture may be relatively small as a share of total emissions, but there is much less of a decrease than in other sectors. In addition, farmers encounter numerous environmental standards, from nitrogen to water pollution.
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Hansen, who himself comes from a family of farmers, expressed understanding for the voice of the demonstrating farmer. He could not separate the fact that his brother died last year due to an accident from the great mental pressure that he, like many farmers, experienced in his company, he said in an emotional speech. In response to a question from SGP member Bert-Jan Ruissen, he called the removal of agricultural land to turn it into nature “a serious concern” and “a difficult balance”.
Don’t fumble
On the other hand, the Luxembourger did not want to detract from the existing policy in any way. It fits with the balance that the candidates must find in the hearings. They must satisfy parliamentarians of all stripes with their answers and also adhere to the mission letter that Von der Leyen has drawn up for them.
As a result, commissioners are still cautious with concessions. For example, the candidate commissioner for transport, the Greek Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said during his interrogation on the same day that he does not want to tinker with the phasing out of petrol cars in 2035. That is also a hot topic: Weber wants to get rid of it, he has already said. “We must stick to our plans,” Tzitzikostas said now. “Otherwise the European Union will send a message that does not demonstrate stability and reliability.”
On Tuesday, the Commissioner-designate for migration, Magnus Brunner, will be questioned. It is Wopke Hoekstra’s turn on Thursday. The last hearings are on Tuesday, November 12. It has now been reported that the fragile relations in the European Parliament could well lead to all, or almost all, candidates being selected to avoid chaos.
These days, national governments are paying close attention to who they will deal with on important files. There is one advantage if the government wants to talk to the new European Commissioner for Agriculture: Hansen has a Dutch mother and speaks Dutch.
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Well, well, well! It seems we’ve got ourselves a delightful little cauldron simmering with the complexities of EU agricultural policy and the balancing act that is European bureaucracy. Grab your popcorn, folks! This is better than a soap opera – more intrigue, less budget for hair and makeup!
First off, let’s talk about Christophe Hansen, the proposed European Commissioner for Agricultural Affairs, who, during his hearing, gave us about as much insight as a fogged-up window. He’s like that mysterious stranger at a dinner party who keeps changing the subject every time you try to dig a little deeper. “Oh, you want to talk about reducing livestock herds? How about ‘technical solutions’? What’s your favorite color?” Come on, Christophe, give us something to chew on!
But I can’t say I blame him too much. Reducing the livestock herd? That’s like suggesting people cut back on their Netflix binge – blasphemous! As Hansen pointed out, agriculture is only responsible for 11 percent of the EU’s emissions. But let’s be honest, if we had a pound for every time someone brought up greenhouse emissions, we’d have… well, an emission of wealth!
Now, as for the lovely Anna Strolenberg pitching the idea of focusing on vegetable proteins—it’s like trying to convince a meat lover to join a tofu-tasting club. It just doesn’t fly! Hansen’s right in saying the EU isn’t about telling people what to eat, but let’s face it, it would be helpful if someone held a big sign saying, “Less beef, more beans!” We’re in 2023, folks! If we can’t agree on dinner, how will we ever settle on policies?
And do I sense a shift in the winds? Manfred Weber’s grown concerned about those pesky green rules. It’s as if he and his mates suddenly woke up one day, looked around, and thought: “Wait, we’re the sensible ones here, right? Let’s ease back on the green policies before we end up vegetating ourselves!” Suddenly, farmers are a hot topic, not just for their produce but also as the canaries in the coal mine for political unease. Farmers protesting are basically the equivalent of your housemate throwing a tantrum because you sat on their side of the couch. Tensions are rising!
Now, poor Hansen has to navigate this minefield of opinions while trying to keep his balance. And we know how hard that can be, especially when you’ve got MEPs from all walks of life with their pitches and proposals. They’re like a talent show audition gone wrong—some of them are great, but most are just painful to watch and want to do anything but engage with each other.
We can’t forget the emotional moment Hansen shared about his family and the farmers’ plight. It’s like he watched ‘Farmers Only’ at a particularly tragic time and realized, “This is real!” But balancing farmers’ distress and the EU’s green policies is like trying to juggle knives—fun to watch, but messy when it goes wrong!
As we look ahead to the upcoming hearings—hello, Magnus Brunner—it’s like seeing a sequel announced for a film you weren’t particularly keen on the first time around. Fingers crossed they don’t serve us a re-run of the earlier season’s drama.
And amidst all this chaos, we should count our blessings that Hansen can converse in Dutch. That’s like a cheat code in a video game where everyone else is stumbling over their scripts. Need to talk to a commissioner about agricultural concerns? Just whip out the ol’ Dutch and watch them nod enthusiastically while pretending to understand half of it.
In conclusion, as the EU twirls and spins through these discussions on agriculture and environmental policy, one can only hope they manage to not trip over their own feet. We want solutions, laughs, and maybe a little light at the end of this bureaucratic tunnel. Until then, let’s keep our fingers crossed – or maybe our forks raised in anticipation of that plant-based dinner they’re so keen on serving us!
Now, someone pass me the beans!
In the wake of the recent migration policy, the government is now considering whether it can secure backing for its agricultural policy from Brussels. During his hearing in the European Parliament on Monday, Christophe Hansen, the new candidate for European Commissioner for Agricultural Affairs and a citizen of Luxembourg, opted for discretion regarding his strategic intentions. However, his statements hinted at a conservative alignment reminiscent of sentiments expressed in The Hague.
Addressing the contentious topic of livestock reduction, Hansen acknowledged that there remains considerable work to be done in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector. He noted that agriculture contributes only 11 percent of total emissions in the EU, suggesting a preference for exploring technological advancements over hastily imposing herd reductions. “I would rather first try out technical solutions before we bluntly force a smaller herd,” he remarked, advocating for a more balanced approach.
Dismissing the proposal from Dutch MEP Anna Strolenberg (Volt) to prioritize plant-based proteins in the European diet, Hansen asserted his belief in personal choice regarding dietary habits. “I don’t want to decide who should eat what. That is not how the European Union works,” he stated firmly, reflecting the complex dynamics of EU policymaking. He cited his own doctor’s advice on dietary choices but warned against top-down impositions, labeling such measures potentially perilous.
In a characteristic display of diplomatic finesse, the Luxembourger spent three hours navigating the intricate landscape of political opinion during his hearing. With the European Parliament holding the reins over the final selection of President Ursula von der Leyen’s 26 candidates for the European Commission, there existed the potential for heated exchanges. Even under the current scrutiny, Hansen’s responses offered not only insights into his plans but also the broader strategic vision of the incoming Commission.
One of the pressing questions facing Von der Leyen and her team is the extent to which they will advance the green initiatives outlined in recent years, particularly the ambitious Green Deal that aims to enhance Europe’s sustainability. However, increasing opposition, spearheaded by German MEP Manfred Weber and the Christian Democratic bloc, signals a shifting political landscape. Recent legislative attempts, including a controversial deforestation law, faced significant delays, and plans for nature restoration nearly fell through, reflecting a growing rift regarding environmental regulations.
The outcry from Christian Democrats revolves around perceptions that the Green Deal lacks sufficient consideration for European citizens’ sentiments. Their concerns, exacerbated by the successful rise of the BBB party in the 2023 Dutch Provincial Council elections, have instigated fears of electoral repercussions. To mitigate potential backlash in future elections, Weber advocates for a reduction in stringent environmental regulations, particularly highlighting the agricultural sector as a focal point for reassessment.
For Hansen, a scion of a farming family, the voice of protesting farmers resonates deeply. He offered an emotional reflection on the pressures faced by farmers, revealing the personal toll of such challenges when he discussed the loss of his brother in a farming accident. “The removal of agricultural land to convert it into nature is a serious concern,” he articulated, underscoring the complex balance needed between environmental objectives and agricultural livelihoods.
Despite the empathy displayed, Hansen was careful not to undermine existing policies. This cautious stance aligns with the broader requirement placed on all candidates to satisfy the diverse interests within the Parliament while adhering to the directives set forth in von der Leyen’s mission letter. Such political maneuvering seems essential in maintaining stability amid growing tensions.
Additionally, demonstrating similar restraint, Greece’s Commissioner-designate for transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, firmly stated during his own hearing the importance of adhering to the plan for phasing out petrol cars by 2035, a contentious issue supported by the governing body against opposition calls for revision. “We must stick to our plans. Otherwise, the European Union will send a message that does not demonstrate stability and reliability,” he cautioned.
Looking ahead, the questioning of Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner-designate for migration, is set for Tuesday, with Wopke Hoekstra following on Thursday. As the final hearings approach, there are speculations that the precarious dynamics within the European Parliament might lead to a consensus on candidate selections to avert chaos. Notably, national governments are keenly observing the developments as they prepare to engage with the newly appointed European Commissioners. An advantage for the Dutch government in discussions with Hansen is his Dutch heritage and proficiency in the language, enabling potentially fruitful dialogue on agricultural matters.
Cident. His candid acknowledgment of these struggles underscores the human aspect behind agricultural policies—an element that often gets lost in bureaucratic discussions.
As Hansen prepares to take on the role of European Commissioner for Agricultural Affairs, he faces a daunting task: balancing the needs of farmers with the EU’s ambitious sustainability goals. The tension in agricultural policy is palpable, especially with farmers increasingly vocal about their concerns regarding land use and the pressures of meeting environmental standards.
The discussions surrounding livestock management and emissions highlight a critical area of contention. Hansen’s reluctance to advocate for immediate herd reductions suggests he is wary of the backlash that could ensue from such measures, particularly given the strong emotional connections many farmers have to their livestock. His preference for technological solutions might not appease all stakeholders, but it reflects a pragmatic approach amid mounting pressures on the agricultural sector.
The call from MEPs like Anna Strolenberg to shift diets towards plant-based proteins serves as another flashpoint in this dialogue. Hansen’s firm stance on dietary choices suggests he is prioritizing personal freedoms over regulatory mandates, which may resonate well with both farmers and consumers who value individual choice.
However, the complexities of European politics cannot be understated. Hansen is not merely addressing farmers; he must also navigate a fractured political landscape where sentiments about environmental regulations are increasingly polarized. The opposition coming from figures like Manfred Weber indicates that the path forward for the Green Deal—and by extension, agricultural policy—might be riddled with challenges and compromises.
As we await the outcomes of the hearings and the subsequent reshaping of policy, one can only hope that the dialogues around agriculture and the environment will lead to innovative solutions that respect both the livelihoods of farmers and the pressing need for sustainable practices. Thus, while Hansen has laid out a cautious vision for his term, the evolving political dynamics in the EU will certainly keep this narrative both fascinating and fraught with potential pitfalls.
as the EU grapples with the intersection of agricultural practice and environmental responsibility, we should remain engaged and attentive. The journey ahead is sure to be filled with heated debates, passionate advocacy, and, hopefully, constructive resolutions that honor the land, its stewards, and the generations to come. Until then, let’s keep the dialogue going, with a side of beans!
