Speeches

Mr President, Austria's vote was not only against Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen area, but it was a vote against the unity of the European Union, calling into question the very functionality of the European institutions. Karl Nehammer, you know well that Romania is not responsible for the presence of 75,000 migrants in Austria. Din păcate, cinstea, corectitudinea și onestitatea nu sunt elemente care să te definească. But remember that by lying, nothing lasting can be built. You cannot say in the Salzburg Forum in November this year that you support Romania's accession to the Schengen area, and a few days later do exactly the opposite. Chancellor, Putin and Russia certainly thank you today, but do not forget that history will judge you tomorrow, because with this vote you have begun a process of destroying the European project that for over 70 years has guaranteed peace and stability in Europe. The heads of state and government tell you that you have a moral obligation to immediately defend the European project, and this means Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen area.

Madam President, I would first of all like to congratulate the rapporteur on her work and honourable colleagues, we are all aware of the importance of rural areas, whether we are talking about food security, combating climate change or tourism. However, European policies have failed to develop these areas, so today only 11% of farms in the European Union are run by farmers under 40. Investment in broadband internet, water services, road connectivity, healthcare and education is indispensable. Commissioner, we must be aware that it is only when the urban-rural divide is closed that we can truly talk about reversing demographic trends. The synergy of funds and the strengthening of the LEADER programme must be coupled with the reduction of bureaucracy in the process of accessing European funds. The war in Ukraine has shown us once again the importance of preserving the capacity of rural areas to provide quality and affordable food. That is why I want to stress the need for the European Commission's policies to be anchored in the new geopolitical realities.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, we are living realities that cannot be challenged. Today, farmers across the European Union are affected by the presence of large predators. Whole regions, especially in the mountainous area, are simply abandoned as a result of the destruction of farms by wild animals. Tourism in various areas is also affected and many places are no longer frequented by tourists for fear of wolves or bears. Approximately 13,000 bears live in Romania, and incidents are becoming more frequent. Cities in the mountainous area are increasingly visited by bears, and on the sports grounds in the school yard the presence of the bear is a frightening reality. The Habitats Directive has achieved its objectives with regard to the wolf and the bear, and the European Commission must consider immediate revision to make its provisions more flexible. For those of the European Commission and the European Parliament who are shielding against the revision of this directive, I ask you to go to the mountain pastures to see what the attack of the wolf or the bear means and to appreciate with your own senses what it is to be in the proximity of these animals. All those who today weep at the mercy of great predators ask you to look into the eyes of farmers and explain to them that the life of wild animals is more important than their life and work. I also invite you to talk to the 269 people in Romania mutilated by the bear in the last four years and to talk to the children of the 29 people killed by the bear in the same period.

Mr President, thank you very much for having the opportunity to have a discussion on a very important issue, namely the transport of grain through the Black Sea. Mr High Representative, as you are well aware, this is indispensable for guaranteeing food security in various parts of the world, on the one hand, and, on the other, it is obviously an indispensable mechanism for preventing the phenomenon of migration. Romania, the country where I come from, you know very well that it has ensured the transit of over 65 percent of the grain exported from Ukraine to various corners of the world. This has created great pressure on transport infrastructure of all types, river, sea and land, and at the same time has created major difficulties for farmers in Romania. My question to you is, Mr High Representative, how does the European Commission intend to support the Member States so that they can continue to ensure the flow of cereals to third countries, but at the same time protect farmers in those countries?

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, I welcome the outcome of the trilogue, which I consider to be a balanced one, and I congratulate all the actors involved in the negotiation. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive aims to put in place a transparent mechanism to help build an economy in the interest of citizens, with everything that means, in all respects. During the trialogue negotiations, however, we started from the undisputed premise that we do not want to create excessive bureaucracy for businesses and make their work more difficult. Thus, we have opted for SMEs that are not listed on the stock exchange to do this reporting on a voluntary basis, and for those listed on the stock exchange to have their first reporting in 2028, obviously using simplified communication standards. In order to ensure a level playing field, provisions have also been introduced requiring sustainability reporting by subsidiaries or branches in the European Union of companies established outside the European Union. The reporting requirements have been assessed by us as having to be both proportionate to the scope and, of course, to the objectives of this Directive. With regard to risk sectors, we note that the information must be correlated with the extent of the risks, taking into account that they may be higher for some sectors than for others. However, I draw the attention of the European Commission not to create excessive bureaucracy for SMEs through delegated acts, as they are already facing a difficult economic situation due to the war and the energy crisis.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis have had the effect of limiting the quantities of fertilisers available to farmers. In this context, the agricultural sector today faces one of the biggest challenges related to the increase in the price of fertilisers, with an average of around 200%. In many cases, farmers are put in a position to reduce their activity, and this implicitly means reducing production in the future. The European Commission is identifying, with today's communication, some solutions that I would consider to be insufficient, Commissioner. The use of the agricultural crisis reserve must, in my view, be activated as early as the beginning of 2023. Member States were given the possibility to grant some State aid schemes to farmers, which they did. But we must understand, Commissioner, that the action of the Member States is limited by their own budgetary resources. That is why, in this context, I urge you to come up with new, serious money for the agricultural sector, if we really want to save it. In the long term, the aim of the European Commission must be to develop fertiliser production capacities within the European Union, but in the short term it is vital to turn our attention to other third countries capable of providing fertilisers to farmers in the European Union at affordable prices for them.

I very much appreciate the concerns of the agriculture ministers, the G20, but these must be followed by the implementation of balanced policies in the agricultural sector. The war in Ukraine has disrupted agricultural markets and exacerbated the already serious situation caused by Covid-19, putting additional pressure on food security and causing food prices to rise. Commissioner, I very much appreciate your comments on the issue of fertilisers and I fully agree with what you are saying. But today farmers are under increasing pressure from the European Commission, and the Pesticide Use Reduction Regulation and the Industrial Emissions Reduction Directive, I draw your attention, can irretrievably destroy our farmers and will therefore cause hunger and migration. We must understand that this war started by Russia is not only a war fought with weapons, but also a food and energy war. The world’s population is continuously dynamic, reaching more than 10 billion in 2050, implying, according to studies, an increase in agricultural production of more than 70% compared to the current period. The European Union and the states of the world must take swift and concrete action to ensure food security at both European and global level. In other words, we need to turn challenges into opportunities. In order to ensure the necessary production, however, farmers need support (and here I am referring to both farmers in the European Union and farmers outside the European Union). I do not want to end up in a situation where the liter of milk and the kilogram of meat are regarded as a museum piece, unattainable for the general consumer, especially in the poor areas of the world.

Mr President, Commissioner, the European Commission must understand that we are at the 12th hour in terms of food security - perhaps listen to me - and the fertiliser strategy must be put on the table immediately. The agricultural sector has faced major challenges over time, be it labour shortages or the Covid pandemic. Moreover, this year the sector faced three major challenges: rising prices for fertilisers and energy, severe drought and war in Ukraine. Unfortunately, the European Commission has so far not come up with sufficient measures for the agricultural sector, and proposals to reduce fertiliser consumption or carbon emissions are only harming farmers. The problem of fertilizers is a complex one, since most of it was imported from Ukraine and Belarus, and the extremely high price makes them difficult to access for farmers. According to some studies, we cannot currently feed the world's population without fertilizers. It is estimated that at least ... between 30 and 50 % of global crop yields are attributed to fertiliser application. I draw attention, as seriously as possible, to the need to further preserve the European Union's ability to provide food for the world's poor, because otherwise we will witness waves of refugees from African countries towards the European Union. The European Commission must understand that there is an urgent need to come up with measures, and that means money, not stories, so that European Union farmers have access to the necessary and sufficient quantities of fertilisers to be able to produce quality and affordable food for consumers.

Mr President, I thank all my colleagues for supporting the accession process of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area. Thank you, Commissioner, and also thank you, Minister. Since 2011, Romania has met all the technical requirements. It has made the necessary investments in security systems, strengthened legislation and constantly trained officials in the field. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated once again that the Romanian authorities have the capacity to manage large migratory flows. We have ensured a constant transit of grain from Ukraine to all parts of the world, preventing hunger. We have been and are an integral part of the efforts of the international community to end this war waged by Putin. We have therefore expressed our solidarity in difficult times for the European Union. We have been and are providers of security and stability in the region. We demand nothing but a right that we have earned. We ask to be welcomed where we belong. Otherwise, the risk of extremist currents is huge and the price paid by the European project will be far too high. One thing to be clear, Commissioner, one thing to be clear, Minister, we can continue to offer solidarity in times of war, to guarantee stability in difficult times. But we will no longer tolerate being humiliated. Today, Romanians and Bulgarians, companies in Romania and Bulgaria, do not even conceive that the Union will not stand in solidarity with them and give them what, deeply and unfairly, they have been denied for so long: access to the Schengen area.

Madam President, we are all looking to Ukraine, showing our appreciation, empathy for the victims and sufferings of this people. Europe and the world continue to provide it with all the support it needs to deal with this war. However, we must be aware of the challenges faced by the states bordering Ukraine in terms of grain transit. Romania fully understands its importance and the need to ensure global food security. That is why we have opened new border points and reduced bureaucracy as much as possible. However, there is a worrying phenomenon, namely the retention of significant quantities of cereals from Ukraine on the territory of the European Union, but especially in border countries, such as Romania, although these cereals should reach mainly African countries. This generates deep, unfair competition for farmers across the European Union, in Romania, who find themselves forced to sell their own production well below cost. Solidarity must exist, but that doesn't mean we have to destroy our farmers.

Mr President, I believe that there is a need first of all to reduce bureaucracy in terms of accessing European funds, because today the main destructive factor in terms of an efficient process of absorption of European funds is bureaucracy and, in this respect, I believe that intervention from the European Commission is needed, so that we can speak of a fluent process of accessing European funds.

Mr President, thank you; I would first of all like to thank Mrs Constanze Krehl for all her work in the Committee on Regional Development. Cohesion policy is the instrument that must give citizens confidence in their future, no matter where in Europe they are. The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine caused the worst recession since 1945, and this forces us to take a set of concrete actions aimed at removing regional disparities. Investments in infrastructure, whether rail or road, along with medical or school infrastructure, are indispensable elements for any region. Long-term economic growth is subsumed by broadband access, but above all by research and innovation. A special place is the strengthening of links between urban and rural areas, which have the opportunity to offer new opportunities for development and to stimulate economic and social development. Encouraging investment at regional, urban and rural levels by mobilising private sector resources must be coupled with a substantial reduction in red tape in accessing European funds. And in this context, I stress, Commissioner, the need for synergy of funds, enabling these objectives to be achieved, and the example of the LEADER Fund is the best to follow for all Member States. Cross-border regions need solutions and policies adapted to new realities. At the same time, keeping Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia outside the Schengen area is deeply immoral, as these states are technically ready and regional development is impossible without belonging to this area. (The speaker agreed to respond to a blue card intervention)

Mr President, thank you, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, for 500 years, Europe has not experienced such a drought as today, which has generated fires, affected the energy sector, but above all the agricultural sector. Drought, rising energy prices, rising fertiliser prices, the uncontrolled presence of large quantities of grain from Ukraine in EU countries, sold at unbelievably low prices, are putting pressure on the agricultural sector. Farmers in Europe are forced to close their farms due to costly prices, and those in the livestock sector are forced to take their animals to the slaughterhouse due to the lack of fodder destroyed by the drought. Fighting droughts requires investment in technologies that enable sustainable water management, and that requires European money, Commissioner. And remember one more thing, Commissioner: without new money in agriculture and without serious investments in irrigation systems, we will face this phenomenon again in the coming years, risking to have a food crisis that will manifest itself not only in the lack of food, but also in the fact that they will become inaccessible in terms of price.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, global food security is at risk, and the war in Ukraine has put another thorny issue on the table: the transport of cereals. At the same time, we must ensure that cereals are transited to their final destinations. Remaining uncontrolled within the European Union is likely to put pressure on European farmers who are already in a position to sell their production well below cost prices. Romania understands the importance of grain transit and is making major efforts in this regard. It has increased transit capacities, simplified procedures, created special lanes and opened new border posts. However, these efforts must be made together, with the help of other countries and with direct support from the European Commission. More train cars, trucks and, of course, ships are needed. Commissioner, I have asked for all these things, but so far I have received nothing. In other words, concrete actions are needed, not empty words or sterile empathies. Global problems need global action, and combating global hunger must be our major goal in the future.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, we are all aware of the importance of this legislative package. The European Union's climate policies will undergo major changes in the coming period. However, these transformations must take into account the current geopolitical reality and the reality in each country. The war in Ukraine and the pandemic have shown us how vulnerable we are to various challenges. I would like to draw attention to the need to create mechanisms that enable the frontline sectors, agriculture or transport, or the forestry sector, to receive adequate funding, in order to achieve their objectives, but also to preserve jobs. Commissioner Timmermans, we cannot ask for more to be done with less money. Let's make this very clear. We know that agriculture and forestry play an important role in carbon management and absorption. At the same time, production capacity must not be diminished at European level, and food security – and I emphasise this – must be ensured not only at European Union level, as is sometimes falsely said by the European Commission, but also at global level. Last but not least, I stress again, the ambitions assumed must not be detached from the realities of today, if we want to be serious and credible in front of the public opinion.

Madam President, Jean Monet said, "We are not uniting states, we are uniting people". The Conference on the Future of Europe demonstrated that the European Union is made up of people who share the same values. The debate has received a clear perspective from the experiences of the past decades. Unfortunately, the public's perception of leadership Europe has not always been the best, and this was not due to European policies, but to the fact that we have not been able to communicate with them, with Brexit being the best example of this. The debate on the necessary reforms has been consistent. Beyond these debates, however, we have strong concerns about what it means to have access to an effective health system that increases the life expectancy of European citizens or to education, which can be defined as immediate priorities for them: combating climate change using resources efficiently and taking into account the specificities of each country or access to quality and affordable food are also strong concerns of citizens. However, the realities around us have changed since the beginning of the debate until today. We are all witnessing Russian aggression, and Europe is experiencing the greatest challenge to security and peace since the end of World War II. At the same time, our citizens need security guarantees that can only be provided by a strong Europe. This conference has shown that tomorrow's Europe has a future. Across Europe, citizens have made their voices heard on how to make the European Union a better place for all. Our major objective is to strengthen a Europe of values where no one is left behind. This is in the hands of all of us, and the Conference on the Future of Europe has shown us the way forward. Beyond any dispute, dear colleagues, do not forget to love Europe every day.

First of all, congratulations to the rapporteur and all colleagues involved in this file! Undoubtedly, the health of citizens is subsumed by the consumption of organic food. I appreciate, in this context, the European Commission's efforts to promote healthy food consumption through its policies. At the same time, we must be aware that production in the BIO system is much more difficult to achieve compared to production in the conventional system. Thus, farmers must be well paid for these efforts in a way that contributes to their well-being and provides them with a decent living. At the same time, Member States must ensure mechanisms that have the capacity to absorb all organic production when the free market fails to do so in a timely manner, as the perishability of organic products is known. The European Union must increase organic production, but at the same time it must not forget that its mission is to mitigate the effects of the war and the Covid pandemic and to ensure food security not only at European level, but also at global level. In conclusion, today's realities force us to rethink the action plan in the future! The war in Ukraine will affect food security. Let us not be naive, dear colleagues, and let us be aware of this. Prices of many foods have already risen considerably. We, political decision-makers, have today the responsibility to do everything necessary to ensure that citizens have access to quality and, above all, affordable food!

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, free movement is one of the fundamental values of the European Union, and the Schengen area is a historic achievement, an expression of the unity and cooperation of the Member States. The size of this value was highlighted during the Covid pandemic, when most states imposed severe internal border controls, limiting free movement. The existence of a mechanism for verifying and monitoring the implementation of the Schengen acquis is absolutely indispensable, as well as its adaptation to the new realities, and in this context, I congratulate the rapporteur on her work. Yes, because we are talking about responsibility for the Schengen area. We must admit that, unfortunately, there is today a double measure in terms of the Schengen area, in that Romania and Bulgaria are kept outside this area. Since 2011, Romania has been recognized to meet all the criteria for accession, being an important provider of stability and security, by defending the external borders of the European Union and by maintaining security in the wider Black Sea region. Today, in times of war, at the borders of the European Union, the Romanian authorities have once again demonstrated their ability to manage the thousands of refugees on a daily basis, preserving the sustainability of the European Union. That is why I appreciate that keeping Romania outside the Schengen area is deeply immoral and unfair, and its accession appears as a necessity and must take place immediately.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, climate change is a reality that cannot be challenged in any way, and the sustainability of economic sectors can be affected in the medium and long term. In this context, we must all become actors involved in combating these climate changes, which influence our quality of daily life. The European Union has shown that it can and must be a global leader in this endeavour. The European objectives assumed so far are ambitious, whether we are talking about preserving biodiversity, protecting forests, or sustainable land use. But today, on the borders of the European Union, in Ukraine, there is a war going on which, in my opinion, forces us, and I emphasise this, forces us to adapt to new realities that cannot be ignored. European leaders have already expressed their support for a responsible and forward-looking energy policy that is decisive not only for our economy, but also for our environment and our security. Reducing dependence on Russian gas can only be achieved through the development of renewable sources. The European Union, now more than ever, must take immediate and concrete action to mitigate the side effects, both of climate change and of war, because the conflict, beyond humanitarian problems, is creating market turmoil, from energy to maritime transport, but above all to agriculture, and I stress again, above all to agriculture. I draw attention to the fact that the agricultural sector at European level is already facing major challenges arising from the pandemic, rising fertiliser and energy prices, and its capacity and resilience is being seriously affected, putting food security at risk. I call on the European Commission, in this extremely complicated context, to adapt the current climate objectives so that food security, not only at European Union level, but at global level, is guaranteed for the future.

Madam President, thank you, tonight I have chosen to talk about a topic that dominates the front pages of newspapers around the world and negatively affects the lives of all citizens. The energy crisis in Europe forced fertiliser factories to reduce production and inevitably led to higher prices. As a result of this, we have very high costs for the establishment of agricultural crops, which leads farmers to the inability to carry out their activity. Rising energy prices are driving up prices throughout the supply chain, directly affecting not only farmers but also consumers. In this context, I would point out that in the future there may be a severe food crisis and an unimaginable rise in food prices. The European Union, in collaboration with the Member States, must come up with solutions and financial support for farmers. They must be able to continue their work and retain their ability to produce food at affordable prices for consumers.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, we are today at the end of a long and arduous journey. For 16 months we debated and investigated a thorny issue that was troubling civil society, namely the welfare conditions of live animals during transport. I would like to thank my colleague Isabel Carvalhais for her excellent collaboration in this endeavour, and I would also like to thank all of you who have been part of this extremely important debate. We have heard multiple opinions, from experts, veterinarians, representatives of national, European authorities, but also from farmers or NGOs extremely concerned about this topic. Dear colleagues, we are starting from a reality that cannot be challenged. The livestock sector contributes substantially to the European Union's economy, generating €168 billion annually today and creating jobs for almost 30 million European citizens. The work of our committee has been followed by millions of citizens, but especially by farmers across the European Union, who are extremely concerned about their future. We are already witnessing a massive depopulation of the countryside and in this context, here in the European Parliament, we must come up with solutions and not with additional burdens for farmers. That is why I believe that limiting the transport of live animals cannot be accepted, because it is on this activity that the life and very existence of millions of people who need opportunities and not prohibitions depends. Moreover, we need to consider food security in the medium and long term, both inside and outside the European Union. In this tumultuous context, I would stress the need to apply European legislation. We have all witnessed the many instances where Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 has not been applied by Member States. I would like to point out, Commissioner, that whatever legislation exists at European level, if it is not correctly implemented by the Member States, we will never have the desired effects in this area. There have clearly been cases in Europe where animal welfare conditions during transport have not been respected. But dear colleagues, let's be serious and not generalize them. I agree, we need to come up with changes, change what needs to be changed, change what doesn't work, but that doesn't mean we need to cross and bury this sector. Finding the right solutions, which would protect both the interests of farmers and guarantee the welfare conditions of live animals during transport, was not an easy task for the members of the ANIT Committee, but it was our duty, as direct representatives of European citizens, to find consensus and compromise that would leave no one behind and I say that we have succeeded in doing so. The text of the recommendations, as voted in the ANIT Committee, and I underline, as voted in it, the ANIT Committee, provides the necessary guarantees to raise animal welfare standards during transport, but at the same time ensures its continuation both in the European Union and in third countries. The much-desired shift to an export of carcasses must undoubtedly be envisaged in the near future. But at the same time, I emphasise this, Member States are also obliged to develop slaughter networks to enable this. As I have said many times before, not even Germany has such a well-established slaughter network, let alone other Member States of the European Union. That is why, dear colleagues, any decision taken needs implementation time, transition periods must be created to facilitate change and, of course, there is a need for European funds to be used in this direction. At the same time, distinguished colleagues, transport to third countries must be understood as absolutely necessary in the future. I know this is a sensitive topic for many of you, but you must understand that these third countries only want live animals with well-defined biological characteristics, which are reared in some regions of Europe, and farmers in this part of Europe depend on these animal exports. Unquestionably, however, animal welfare during transport is not a negotiable element, it must be respected and applied regardless of the duration of the transport, the distances travelled and the final destination. The European Commission must come up with concrete proposals that correctly capture the realities on the ground, so that all parties involved are satisfied. And in the end, dear colleagues, all that matters is the judgment that we will each receive from citizens and farmers whose interests we are supposed to protect.

Mr President, congratulations to all those involved in the process of adopting the common agricultural policy. We are at the end of complicated debates, but at the same time at the beginning of a long road to implement a policy that will influence the lives of farmers in the coming years. The CAP will enable European farmers to develop and modernise their farms, provide them with a better life and a safer future for their children and families, and provide real support in their efforts to preserve the vitality of the countryside. Regardless of the weather, rain, heat, frost or blizzard, farmers have been and will continue to be the soldiers at the forefront of the battle to ensure food security, combat climate change and be a decisive factor in preserving biodiversity. Although often affected by unfair competition, due to policies insufficiently anchored in the realities on the ground, they have provided all of us with quality and affordable food, and we need to make sure that we keep this capacity for them in the future. CAP money is just an advance paid to farmers for the food that the more than 500 million European citizens enjoy every day. Member States are thus responsible for drawing up national strategic plans that focus on farmers, cut red tape and guarantee the sustainability of farms, and the European Commission must pursue the implementation of this policy in every corner of the European Union, as it guarantees a better life for each of you.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, climate change is a reality that cannot be challenged. All of humanity is facing severe weather events, whether floods, fires or drought. All of our lives and possessions are in danger. Today, we are also facing an energy resource crisis, which in turn affects the population of the European Union. All these things are a consequence of the negligence of political leaders, who, over time, have ignored the signals received in this regard. It is not an easy task for all of us today to take concrete steps in this direction, and the Glasgow Conference is a new stage in this endeavour. From the outset, however, I would like to stress the need, before any decision is taken, to have impact studies that make an assessment of what those decisions mean, so that we do not affect the economic sectors. Recovery and resilience plans are a good opportunity to finance these actions and Member States need to ensure that these resources are used efficiently. The agricultural sector must be seen as a serious partner in the battle against climate change. Efforts, however, need to be made globally, and not just regionally. Or, more precisely, it is useless to impose environmental conditions on farmers in the European Union, since, elsewhere in the world, from where we import food, things have gotten out of control. If we want to truly succeed in this area and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, then we must be serious with each other, no matter where in the world we are.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, a farmer who left IT ten years ago to do farming said last week: I have decided to stop the modernisation and development of my farm because I do not know what to expect from those living in their bubble in Brussels and we will continue our daily lives as we can. Here we are, Commissioner, about what farmers' perception of what we are discussing in the European Parliament and the European Commission means. Green Deal and Farm to Fork are a concept that rightly troubles the agricultural sector. He wonders if he will be able to survive the targets imposed in achieving the climate goals, which are also important, without question. But today we need to send a clear message: that we are responsible and that we will make sure that farmers will keep their sustainability even further, that they will be able to produce quality food - and I stress here - at affordable prices for the consumer. Any failure in this direction will make us dependent on imports of poor quality food from third countries, and climate change will continue to affect us in our daily lives. In this context, I expressly call for impact assessments to be carried out before any decision is taken with regard to the agricultural sector.

Mr. President, thank you. "No one should be left behind" is the principle behind our actions. However, we note that the current COVID-19 crisis has had catastrophic effects for the European economy, affecting the living standards of citizens, especially the most vulnerable. The labour market has been strongly impacted, with the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion increasing dramatically. Growing social inequalities have deepened, particularly affecting low-wage employees, but also low-income families. Unemployment has risen alarmingly among EU citizens and millions of Europeans are unable to secure their daily shopping cart or are unable to pay for their utilities. In Eastern Europe, 25 million children were unable to benefit from education due to a lack of access to equipment and technology. Unfortunately, the alarming number of children who did not have access to distance learning will lead to poor vocational training, with a devastating impact on the quality of the workforce in the future and, ultimately, a negative impact on the economies of all EU countries. Today, therefore, we must move from the logic of speech to the logic of facts. The financial resources made available to the Member States by the European Commission must be used wisely. At the same time, we must remember one thing very clearly: creating new, well-paid jobs and strengthening existing ones is the best form of social protection. The European Commission must ensure that European funds to the Member States, whether we are talking about the recovery and resilience plan or the multiannual financial framework, are used to combat social exclusion, poverty and this requires, as I have said before, well-paid jobs in every region of the European Union. And so I ask you, Commissioner, how will the European Commission ensure that this is effectively implemented in every Member State of the European Union?