Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, foot-and-mouth disease, mainly a disease of cows, is emerging after 35 years in Europe and is wreaking havoc in the livestock sector. The first outbreak was identified in Germany three months ago, and recently similar cases have been identified in Slovakia and Hungary, not far from the border with Romania. Farmers have already lost hundreds of millions of euros, either as a result of mortality or loss of income. The predictions are bleak, as the disease spreads at the speed of light. Farmers run the risk of being unable to save animals and those in the plant sector of no longer being able to sell their production. The Commission urgently needs to find mechanisms for compensating affected farmers. At the same time, the European executive must come up with adequate and effective public communication on the measures taken to prevent the disease, but also the identification of an effective vaccine, while developing a clear action plan established with the Member States. I draw attention to the fact that food security can be seriously affected by this disease, which acts as a real biological weapon.

Mr President, Commissioner, I congratulate you on the document presented. Colleagues, today we need to feed 450 million Europeans, while globally more than 700 million people are suffering from hunger. However, the figures in the sector are worrying. Income from agriculture is 40% lower than in any other sector, while only 12% of farmers are under 40 years old. Without firm action, Europe risks becoming dependent on imports, losing control over its own food security, and dependency creates vulnerabilities, as Mario Draghi put it. Time is no longer on our side, and tomorrow is already too late for farmers. Commissioner, today we need policies that protect European production, cut red tape, but above all - and I stress above all - adequate funding. The money for agriculture is not the money of farmers, but is the indispensable investment so that hunger is not used as a weapon of war. If we want a strong Europe, we need to make sure that it is also fed, and this starts with supporting our farmers.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the debate on the Mercosur agreement stirs up many emotions and raises questions to which no clear answers have yet been given. The reality, however, is that while European farmers are subject to the strictest environmental rules, in other parts of the world these rules simply do not exist. Europe has a duty to protect its farmers and provide them with strong guarantees so that they can continue to operate. They must not be sacrificed on the altar of our inability to provide them with certainty in such an uncertain world, generated by inflation, drought, floods or the war in Ukraine. They don't ask for privileges or preferential treatment. I'm just asking for the right to compete fairly. The compensation provisioned for farmers must be matched by the relaxation of production conditions in agriculture, Commissioner, and the agreement must be fair, create real trade opportunities and not destroy European agriculture. It is our duty to find the best solutions for both European farmers and consumers.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, desertification is a reality that cannot be challenged, and this was emphasised at COP 16. According to official data, desertification generates global costs of over €300 billion and affects more than 1.5 billion people, increasing migratory pressures and fuelling resource wars. The Union loses EUR 74 billion annually due to land degradation and inaction will reduce crop yields by at least 10% by 2050, creating a shortage for both water and food. Romania, my country, is fully confronted with these phenomena. We urgently need courageous action, which not only prevents this phenomenon, but even reverses it in the long term. To protect our food security, we need to invest in innovative technologies and solutions, such as new genomic techniques in sustainable water management and the development of smart irrigation systems at affordable prices for all farmers, and I stress this: affordable for all farmers. At the same time, efficient use of wastewater, especially around large urban centres, and serious investments in desalination of marine water are required, all of which must become a strategic priority and an obligation to our citizens. Private sector investment needs to be encouraged and the Commission needs to ensure that Member States use money for afforestation and forest curtains efficiently and quickly. Europe has solutions at its disposal, but without targeted investment and adequate funding, it will not be able to meet these challenges. Dear colleagues, the choice is ours: Act now or future generations will suffer the consequences of our destructible immobilism.

Mr President, Europe is at a demographic crossroads. The statistics speak for themselves. By 2050, almost 30% of the European population will be over 65 and the workforce will shrink by more than 57 million people by 2100. The share of the population of the European Union in the total global population will fall from 6% to 4%, reflecting an alarming drop in birth rates. Rural areas are experiencing this decline the most. Their depopulation poses direct risks to food security. We need to act now, investing in the future of young people and creating the conditions for them to stay at home. Affordable housing, quality education and well-paid jobs – and here I stress, well-paid jobs – are just some of the lines of action. Demographic change works and affects the regions of the European Union differently. In Romania, for example, over 4.5 million people have left abroad. Also, while in southern Italy or Spain houses are sold for one euro, other regions are facing an acute housing crisis. This is why we need to act differently, tailoring policies to local needs. Smart migration management is becoming a priority. We need a skilled workforce to ensure the economic sustainability of the European Union. I appreciate the publication of the demography 2023 toolbox, but Commissioner, without adequate funding, even the best policies will not have the desired impact. Funds such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the European Social Fund Plus must become the pillars of this effort. Dear colleagues, Europe is ageing. Our future should not be a burden to others.

Mr President, Commissioner, in the first debate here in the plenary of the European Parliament, the agricultural world is looking at you with great hope, convinced that you will make the best decisions for the sector, and I personally believe that. Colleagues, only 4% of European Union citizens are engaged in agriculture, yet they provide food for the other 96% of European citizens. We can thus see the extent of farmers' responsibility. Behind every product stands the work of farmers and sacrifices, and the reality is harsh. Every two days, a farmer in France commits suicide, and every life lost is a tragedy for all of us. Thousands of farmers face economic difficulties due to low prices and high production costs. Only 11% of farmers are under 40, and long working hours and harsh conditions profoundly affect their personal lives and mental health. These figures, colleagues, are not just statistics, they are real stories about families struggling to stay afloat, who want conditions to prosper and raise their children with dignity. That's why they put their hopes in us. Commissioner, farmers need solutions that mean stable prices to reduce market volatility, modernisation of agriculture through advanced technologies, programmes for young farmers with access to land and training. I am absolutely convinced that by adequately financing the sector - and here I stress, adequately financing the sector - and adopting coherent policies, the sector will continue to remain resilient, which also means guaranteeing the mental health of farmers.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, today Russia is not coming with tanks in front of us, but it is infiltrating lies into the phones and minds of our citizens. This is the reality of modern warfare. Algorithms are turned into weapons, and the manipulation of emotions and perceptions becomes a standard technique. We must understand that manipulation and disinformation carried out through platforms such as TikTok are not isolated incidents, but are deliberate and insidious strategies to undermine democratic processes. However, it is not enough to identify the problem, we must act. Digital education must become a priority, as well as sanctioning disinformation campaigns funded by Russia and China. Russia wants to confuse the European Union and weaken citizens' trust in state institutions and fragment society. We must not give them this victory. I draw your attention to the fact that today it is about Romania, but tomorrow it may be about another country. It is about Europe, about the freedom and the future of our democracies. In the face of this attack we must stand firm, united and cut the evil at its root.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, beyond the Budapest declaration, guaranteeing food security is undoubtedly a strategic objective for the whole of the European Union. In this respect, it is essential to build a European agricultural sector that is not only sustainable, but above all competitive. We need a strong common agricultural policy, strong co-financing and a stable, predictable and fair framework to enable farmers to face the economic and climate challenges, and the Green Deal needs to be adapted to the above. Farmers who are now on the streets are asking us for fair competition on both the domestic and global markets, so that their efforts are not undermined by the import of cheap products that do not meet the same quality or production standards, and this can and must be done. At the same time, we need measures to strengthen the position of farmers in the supply chain by guaranteeing them fair prices for their work. Europe can become a global leader in economic transformation, but this requires the courage to make the right decisions for the future and, above all, to secure the necessary funding for the sector.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the 2025 budget must reflect the needs of realities that we cannot challenge today. We have a weakened agricultural sector, due to major challenges caused by drought, floods, inflation or the war in Ukraine, and adequate budgeting is a necessity. I thank the rapporteurs because a good part of the opinion of the Committee on Agriculture can be found in the final document. Promotion programmes or additional money for young farmers are a step towards strengthening the European agricultural sector. The amounts dedicated to the school fruit and vegetables scheme contribute both to setting healthy eating habits and to combating early school leaving. At the same time, I call for a stronger agricultural reserve for the common agricultural policy in the budgets of the coming years, in order to better support farmers in the face of unforeseen crises, as I also believe, Commissioner, that an increase in the budget allocated to agriculture is needed. External convergence in direct payments or equalisation of subsidies must be a clear objective of the new European Commission, as farmers are actors in the same single market and have the same production costs.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, we are faced with a situation that a few years ago was unthinkable. The lack of rainfall, coupled with extremely high temperatures and over long periods, has led to extreme phenomena that go beyond the mere notion of drought. At the same time, rainfall in some states is comparable to Noah's biblical flood. These changes are profoundly affecting agriculture, which is failing to recover from one season to the next. At the same time, farmers are facing increasing challenges and the stability of the agricultural sector is being called into question. The Common Agricultural Policy was not designed to respond to such dynamic realities, nor to deal with consecutive crises. In Romania, this year, temperatures of over 40 degrees were constantly recorded, being the driest year since measurements are made, affecting about 2.5 million hectares. In Sicily, farmers suffered losses of EUR 2.7 billion, and in the Azores, drought led to a 70% reduction in agricultural production and examples can continue with Spain or other countries. The European Commission must understand that farmers cannot face these challenges alone. In this context, it must allocate funds to compensate for income losses, but also to be able to invest in modern irrigation infrastructure and use water efficiently, including regulating watercourses and creating storage capacities. It is essential that farmers have access to efficient insurance systems, but above all, Commissioner, that reliable credit mechanisms are created. Last but not least, I would like to ask the Commission what mechanisms and tools it has at its disposal to help farmers survive these extreme weather events now, when the crisis reserve seems to be insufficient. I want to ask you, Commissioner, whether you are considering bringing new money into agriculture, because we must not forget that without agriculture there is no food security, and without food security there is no future.

I understand your question and it is extremely important to understand, colleagues, that there is a need for a balanced intervention on what river courses mean, so that they can be regularised in order to prevent floods, on the one hand; on the other hand, these watercourses can be used for what is meant by the development of the irrigation system. However, I repeat, there is a need for balanced approaches on the part of all decision-makers, so that we can coexist, in good harmony, man and nature.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, holding your mother until her last breath, trying to save her from the middle of the waters, is just one of the shocking stories in Romania, where at least seven people have lost their lives and many more are missing. Every death has its own story. Every loss leaves families destroyed, homeless, unsafe. In addition to the loss of life, local economies developed along rivers, such as, but not limited to, agricultural holdings, are heavily affected. Unfortunately, such situations have happened in many European countries and we must be aware that such phenomena tend to become a normality. We cannot restore lost lives, but we can offer hope to those who remain. The European Commission, through the Solidarity Fund and the Civil Protection Mechanism, must stand by Romania and every European state hit by the floods, so that essential services are quickly restored and life can return to normality. At the same time, the European Commission will have to develop, together with the Member States, comprehensive plans for the efficient management of watercourses, the regularisation of rivers and the construction of dams in flood-prone areas. However, the Member States alone cannot meet the costs of reconstruction, so I call on the European Commission to identify financial resources for both the increase in the Solidarity Fund and the investments to be made by the Member States.

Mr President, I believe that a balanced approach is needed and farmers are the most important fighters in what it means to protect the environment. Following a structured dialogue, if you will, between environmental activists and farmers, we will surely find the best solutions to guarantee food security at European Union level.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, today we are faced with a long series of debates on the future of European agriculture, and the document ‘Structured Dialogue for Agriculture’ is welcome and provides a solid basis for discussion. However, solutions need to be carefully considered. In assessing this document, ladies and gentlemen, and future agricultural policies, we must start from a fundamental principle: the need to ensure food security at European Union level. In this context, I would like to send a strong message to the European Commission. Commissioner, direct payments must remain a tool at the disposal of farmers, as they are a safety belt for them, without necessarily being conditional on achieving environmental objectives that are sometimes almost impossible to achieve. Second, any environmental responsibility imposed on farmers must be properly compensated. No farmer should be forced to do more with less. I also reject any subliminal message of stigmatisation of animal products. The European Commission, in my view, should recalibrate its discourse and promote a balanced diet that also includes animal products, not just a plant-based diet. At the same time, importantly, products imported from third countries must meet the same quality standards, because the import of products, foods containing substances prohibited in the European Union, seems to me to be deeply immoral for both farmers and consumers. Commissioner, I know that you are close to the agricultural sector because you were a member of the Committee on Agriculture. The message is very important. The CAP needs adequate funding to be able to put everyday food on the table.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, Commissioner, cohesion policy is the cornerstone of the European Union, being the backbone of our collective solidarity and prosperity. The challenges we face today are major. The migration of people from Eastern Europe to the West, from rural to urban, is a reality that cannot be challenged. Only by investing in transport, school, health infrastructure, broadband internet, but above all by creating well-paid jobs, and here I emphasise, well-paid jobs, will we be able to reverse this phenomenon. We need to make every region a place that can be defined at home by every European citizen. Today, more than 80% of the investments made in various Member States are financed by European funds, and it is important to talk to our citizens about these investments so that they are aware of the benefits of belonging to the European Union. At the same time, we call on the Commission to leave the current cohesion policy funds untouched and to adequately finance this policy in the future financial framework. Thus, it seems to me inadmissible that cohesion money should be taken to cover other needs of the European Union. We must understand that we cannot have a strong European Union without strong regions, and this requires a strong cohesion policy.

Madam President, Romania's treasure represents an open wound in the heart of the Romanian people, a painful scar of the past, which reminds us of the injustices committed. It is time to put an end to this dark chapter and make sure that Russia is responsible for this barbaric act. In the middle of World War II, when the national territory was two-thirds occupied, the country's leadership decided to move the treasury to the territory of Russia, an allied state at the time. 108 years have passed since we asked for the return of our treasure, more precisely, the 41 wagons loaded with 91.5 tons of fine gold, but also other objects of inestimable value. This episode in Romania's history is living proof that Russia is anything but an ally, and our trust must be a lesson learned for any state that sees Russia as a possible partner. It is time for the 41 wagons to return home, to recover our damage, and for Russia to pay for all these years of waiting. I congratulate the European Parliament on its involvement in solving this problem.

I have to intervene, dear colleagues, because it seems to me that you, a good part of your colleagues in this room, are not aware of what the European Commission's proposal on the Animal Transport Regulation means. Colleague, are you aware that the European Commission has sent to Parliament to discuss and debate the Animal Transport Regulation? Because it seems to me from the debate here that you are not aware of the legislation proposed by the European Commission. Do you know this? We are debating this regulation next week in the AGRI Committee.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, animal welfare is on the public agenda at European level, being a major concern for both citizens and political decision-makers. From the outset, I would point out one thing that I have found as rapporteur of the Committee of Inquiry on Animal Transport, namely the failure of Member States to comply with animal welfare legislation. It is a painful truth, but we must recognise it in order to make real progress in this area. In other words, no matter how much legislation we adopt, if it is not respected, we will not be able to achieve our objectives. But possible future legislation must be done in full collaboration with farmers. They are the cornerstone of the entire agricultural system and are the key factor in this area. We need to listen to them and take into account their concerns in order to develop policies that are effective, enforceable and sustainable over time, and not detached from reality, so as to destroy the livestock sector in the European Union. I want to assure all citizens, but also farmers, that their voice is heard and that we are all partners in the process.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, first of all, I thank very much Andrey Novakov and Mr Emil Boc, President of COTER, for their contribution to the report on cohesion policy post-2027. Colleagues, cohesion policy is the cornerstone of European solidarity, ensuring that no region is left behind. Cohesion policy investments have had a major impact on regions, cities and rural areas. These investments have shaped infrastructure, stimulated innovation, supported SMEs and promoted research and education. In other words, cohesion policy has reached every locality, but above all – and here I emphasise – every home in the European Union. Cutting red tape and simplifying the absorption process must be at the heart of post-2027 cohesion policy so as to facilitate access to European funds in order to be able to develop projects with real and sustainable impact. Investment at local and regional level remains fundamental and local and regional authorities play a crucial role in managing development funds. One thing is certain, fellow Members and Commissioner: we must be the defenders of cohesion policy and prevent the cutting of any financial resources from cohesion, and the total budget of cohesion policy for the post-2027 period should be at least equivalent to the current one. In an ever-changing Europe, cohesion policy, together with the common agricultural policy, remains an essential tool to guarantee what it means to live a better life in every corner of the European Union, for every European citizen.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, let me first congratulate the rapporteurs on their work. We all want the European Union budget to be spent efficiently and responsibly, aware that changing financial rules often creates uncertainties for beneficiaries. Building on the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission proposes to adapt the financial rules to allow an EU institution to purchase goods and services on behalf of Member States in crisis situations. It is also proposed to update the definition of crisis to include public health emergencies. We welcome the Commission's proposal, which wishes to make a targeted change in order to strike the right balance, focusing on the changes that are really needed, so that our financial instruments are adapted and efficient, but also able to respond to the challenges and at the same time ensure transparency in the spending of European funds. So these proposals are not just technical adjustments, they reflect our shared commitment to solidarity, responsibility and the protection of the interests of European citizens, but also the guarantee that the European Union is ready to face any future challenges.

Madam President, in a TV interview this morning, I was asked what would I change in the decision-making mechanisms of the European institutions? The first thing I would do would be to force all the Brussels bureaucrats dealing with the wolves and bears files to go to the Fagaras Mountains or the French Alps, places that are full of wolves and bears, and to guard a flock of sheep for at least a week. I would also oblige them, dear colleagues, to talk to the 269 people in Romania mutilated for life by the bear and to the families of the 26 people who were killed. And explain to them how much you, the wolves and the bears, like them. The European Court of Auditors, in my opinion, should check whether the financial liability of officials who are waiting and are not paying attention to what the millions of euros paid to farmers for the animals killed mean. It is not possible, dear colleagues, for us to stay and discuss this topic for years, to stay stuck in various bureaucratic procedures and no one to answer. Let's be very clear, dear colleagues, there will have to come a time when someone will respond because of this behavior and because of this institutional immobilism, after all.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, first of all, I congratulate all the actors involved in this process, which is an important step towards strengthening the regulation on geographical indications. Colleagues, one thing is certain: Geographical indications are not just labels. They are a promise of quality and originality. Behind each geographical indication are stories of heritage and traditions passed down through generations. This regulation comes at the right time, if we are talking about farmers' protests, in a sector where there is a need for predictability and viable solutions. Geographical indications are essential elements for differentiating our products in a competitive global market and for supporting rural development and leveraging local resources. Farmers or producer groups will be able to strengthen their position in supply chains by having at their disposal the necessary tools to provide consumers with high added value products, especially from well-defined regions. However, I would like to point out that the protection of geographical indications is also essential in order to prevent counterfeiting and imitation of genuine products, which can damage not only the economy but, more seriously, the reputation and trust of consumers. The trilogue negotiations have underlined our collective commitment to protect these values. But our work does not stop there. We need to step up promotion actions to raise awareness of the quality of these products among consumers, and labelling must be done in a manner that is not confusing. Whether we are talking about pălincă, Jidvei wines or prosciutto di Parma, the consumer must have the guarantee of the quality of the products purchased.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, European farmers are on the streets today. We all know their challenges: inflation, drought, the war in Ukraine, and green policies, and I stress, dear colleagues, who are tributaries of these policies, are bringing the sector to its knees. The tears of politicians hypocritically shed on the shoulders of farmers do not keep them from hunger or thirst, as long as we do not change anything that needs to be changed. Commissioner, you gave a derogation on GAEC 8, but that does not solve the problem, because the crops to be established cause damage and not benefit. I also asked you to come up with money to replenish the crisis reserve. You didn't! I ask you in the twelfth hour to come up with the simplification of the rules of the CAP. No European farmer can understand how someone in the sumptuous offices in Brussels can impose on him when to turn his field or when to harvest, but at the same time have MEPs who reject the new genomic techniques. I ask all of you to be honest partners of farmers, not to turn the politician in Brussels into a risk factor for agriculture, as you are today promoting green policies without listening to farmers.