Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, working conditions in agriculture are difficult, with a significant precariousness of employment contracts, more than a quarter of the workforce is seasonal and the contribution of a large number of migrants, often also without adequate social and labour protection. But there are other dimensions that truly concern our producers. There are concerns about the income and future sustainability of the sector. The Commission has just released the report "Prospects for European Agriculture 2024-2035" and the scenario is not encouraging: the value of agricultural production whose annual growth is less than the annual increase in production costs; a forecast reduction in farmers’ incomes in real terms of more than half a percent, taking into account inflation; and the chronic problem of an ageing sector, growing labour shortages and the huge challenge of generational renewal. All of this requires action. The introduction of a social conditionality mechanism in the previous revision of the CAP was an important measure to raise labour standards. But now, more than ever, it is important that in the vision for the future of agriculture and food – which we look forward to – agricultural producers and workers are put at the centre of the discussion.

Madam President, honourable Member, what I think is really important and fundamental today is that we can all speak with one voice to support those who are victims of a tragedy and that we do not use that same tragedy to make policy in a way that does not concern and cannot clearly respond to the victims of a tragedy. Being able to confuse something that affects so many people in an outermost region and wanting to confuse and bring up the problem of immigration does not honour the victims of Mayotte and it is therefore regrettable that it did so.

Madam President, Commissioner, I would firstly like to express the solidarity of my region, the Azores, and my country, Portugal, with the people of Mayotte, who have been severely affected by the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido. The outermost regions of the European Union are well aware of the power that geography and climate have over their development possibilities. And, unfortunately, they are increasingly aware of the hardships that nature has often imposed on their populations and territories. Hurricane Lorenzo in 2019 in the Azores, the volcanic eruption in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands in 2022, fires in the Autonomous Region of Madeira and Cyclone Chido in Mayotte are just the latest examples. Now it is crucial that the physical distance that separates us from these fellow citizens does not represent distancing or alienation and that European solidarity arrives quickly and with practical effects. We must, as a matter of urgency, support Mayotte.

Madam President, Commissioner, the European Union has set ambitious targets for the protection of at least 30% of marine waters by 2030. But let us be under no illusions, this can only be ensured if we actually ensure the involvement of fishermen, fishing communities, aquaculture professionals, environmental NGOs and other relevant actors and if we also ensure that proper compensation is provided so that fishing professionals are not victims of this process. I therefore welcome the example of my region, the Azores, which a few days ago approved the restructuring plan for the fisheries sector, proposed by the Socialist Party, which provides compensation to all professionals affected by the creation of marine protected areas. With a budget of more than €10 million for the period 2025-2030, this plan will accompany the implementation of the 30% protection of the sea in one of Europe’s largest exclusive economic zones. This is the example that the Union must follow, with the definition of an ambitious fund to accompany and finance a true ocean pact.

Madam President, today I bring to this House the worrying reports on the proposals that the European Commission is developing for the future EU budget. If what has been widely reported is true, the Commission's proposal for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework may be radical, inflexible, centralistic and unacceptable. On the horizon is the exclusion of Europe's regions from participating in and deciding on the choices that most influence the future of their territories and their populations, by concentrating the management of all funds and programmes between Brussels and the governments of the Member States. This is a wrong and dangerous option. Wrong because cohesion policy and shared management are a success story in the Union, and dangerous to the objectives of promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion as enshrined in the Treaties, but also because it will increase divisions and resentments. Let us all be on the alert for an inclusive and decentralised Union.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the floods that have hit Central and Eastern Europe and the devastating fires that are still burning in the north and centre of Portugal are dramatic examples of how the effects of climate change are present today in the lives of our farmers and other citizens. This is the time to express our deepest solidarity with all the affected populations and to express our heartfelt thanks to the firefighters and all the rescue teams involved. But we need action. The climate is not sympathetic to our hesitations and our citizens will not forgive them. As we have counted on European mutual assistance in combating these phenomena, we must now support the rapid recovery of the affected territories and redouble our efforts in adapting to the effects of climate change. I am therefore pleased to see a European Strategy for Water Resilience announced in the mission letters of the Commissioners-designate. But I remind you that this was already a promise that remains to be fulfilled. This strategy cannot therefore be a mere reflection paper. We need urgent, immediate and concrete action, and we need to allocate financial resources to safeguard the future of agriculture and rural communities. The time to act is now.

Mr President, Commissioner, I welcome the conclusions of the Strategic Dialogue on the future of agriculture, in particular the consensus reached between farmers, agri-food producers, consumers and environmental organisations. This is an important basis for our future work, which already contains many elements relevant to our reflection. But in order to have a more sustainable and fair agriculture, it is essential to value the diversity of European agriculture. Protecting disadvantaged regions, cutting red tape and improving the incomes of small and medium-sized farmers are crucial. It should not be forgotten that two thirds of European agriculture comes from farms of less than five hectares. In the case of Portugal and the outermost regions, such as the Azores, it is also essential to obtain an update and improvement of support under POSEI. Fair finance, generational renewal, climate change and social, economic and environmental sustainability are major challenges to be addressed. Let us therefore continue the dialogue, in particular with those who are on the ground and without whom there is no future for European agriculture.