“Fitness Check” for EU Agricultural Policy

More than 100 European NGOs, including EuroNatur, sent an open letter to President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, calling on him to fundamentally question the Common Agricultural Policy’s (CAP) ability to address the fundamental challenges that Europe is facing in agriculture, nutrition, climate change, and resource use.

More than 100 NGOs call for putting the EU’s agricultural policy to the test.

© Katharina Grund

Since early 2015, the European Commission has been conducting so-called ‘Fitness Checks’. According to the Commission, these are intended to evaluate the cost-benefit ratio and the effectiveness of EU legislation. However, the NGOs are criticising that this process so far mainly focused on nature conservation legislation. “It can no longer be overlooked that particularly the EU’s agricultural policy is counteracting nature and biodiversity preservation. Thus the European Commission now urgently has to scrutinize the present system of agricultural payments”, says EuroNatur Executive Director Gabriel Schwaderer.

A wide range of studies identified intensive agriculture as a main driver of biodiversity loss, soil degradation and water pollution. Further, scientists are forecasting that the agricultural sector will cause one third of the EU’s anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in 2050. Other deficiencies include a lack of animal welfare and negative impacts on agricultural markets in developing countries.

Open NGO letter to President of the European Commission Juncker (PDF, 0.5 MB)

How you can help

Donation

Future needs nature. EuroNatur cares for it. Please use your possibilities to help. With your donation you will make an effective contribution to a more livable environment.

Sustaining membership

EuroNatur focuses on long-term nature conservation projects instead of quick fixes. With your regular donations, you give us the planning security we need.

News

Skavica mega dam: Albanian court to scrutinise special law for U.S. contractor Bechtel

++ Constitutional complaint filed by NGOs accepted for trial ++ First milestone in fight against one of Europe’s largest reservoirs ++ Thousands of…

Growing opposition to Albanian airport

++ Bern Convention calls on Albania to stop airport construction near Narta Lagoon ++ Project in Vjosa Delta endangers thousands of migratory birds ++…

EU Commission targets the wolf

Ursula von der Leyen warns of allegedly "dangerous wolves" - nature conservation organisations criticise misleading statements and dubious data…

Romanian forests: EuroNatur calls for a logging moratorium

+++ Open letter to Commissioner Sinkevičius calls for a logging moratorium in protected areas to end destruction of Romanian forests +++ Fourth…

Controversial airport construction in Albanian protected area casts shadow as far as Munich

++ Operating company Munich Airport International (MAI) is linked to illegal Vlora airport ++ Construction to take place in protected area of special…

Swimming for the monk seal

The Croatian free water swimmer Dina Levačić has been swimming in potential monk seal territories. Her campaign is aimed at drawing attention to the…

Wolf Offspring confirmed in the Black Forest

++ Photo trap image from the community of Schluchsee provides evidence of offspring ++ First wolf pack in over 150 years in Baden-Württemberg ++

Stork Village meeting in Tykocin, Poland

It was an anniversary celebrated in style: For the 20th annual meeting, representatives of the European Stork Villages met for the first time in the…

A slight sigh of relief for the Dalmatian pelicans

The Dalmatian pelicans at Lake Skadar are breeding successfully. This is all the more gratifying because last year's breeding season was disastrous.

Learning to live with bears

Preventing conflicts between people and wild animals

Urgent Call for Action to Protect Romania's Forests and Natura 2000 Sites

A recent report by EuroNatur and Agent Green provides new evidence on logging in Romania's protected areas. Nature conservation organisations call for…

Airport construction threatens Albanian bird paradise

++ Construction work for airport in Narta Lagoon continues unabated despite significant protests ++ Resting area is internationally important for…

Disappointing results of last trilogue on Renewable Energy Directive

++ Woody biomass and hydropower can continue to count towards renewable energy targets ++ No will for sustainable climate policy in the EU in sight ++

Major success: River Vjosa becomes National Park

++ Today the Vjosa River in Albania has been proclaimed Europe’s first Wild River National Park ++ EuroNatur, Riverwatch and many other partners have…

More Ski Resorts Planned Around Syvdovets

In 2016, the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration announced its plans to build a ski resort of the same name in the Svydovets mountain…