Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, I refer to what has just been said about African swine fever, which is alarming many European countries, including my own, Italy. There are currently 27 active outbreaks in several Italian farms: 19 in Lombardy, seven in Piedmont, one in Emilia Romagna. But the situation is constantly changing. More than 120,000 pigs have been slaughtered in an effort to stem the outbreak, three-quarters of them in recent months alone. In addition to this, there is also concern in Europe about theblue tongue“, blue tongue disease: This is not new, but it is worrying that in recent weeks there has been a surge in these cases, especially in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and France. So, Commissioner, we would like to know what is the effort on scientific research for vaccination, which is necessary to provide a long-term solution against African swine fever and other diseases. And if the vaccine developed by Vietnam, in collaboration with the United States, against African swine fever is considered a valid tool to achieve a permanent solution to this problem.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, we have seen a real housing emergency in Europe: 19 million people live in inadequate housing; rents increased by 41.5% in ten years, as did house prices, which doubled in five countries. In Italy, 2.5 million households spend 40% of their income on housing. And the Italian government has canceled the fund for public construction and that for the rent contribution. The Eurocities association, of which I was a member, offers many solutions, starting with a financial plan. But I would ask the Commissioner, above all, to make a commitment to the question of the relationship between theovertourism, short tourist rentals and the indiscriminate increase in house prices and rents. There are many proposals, such as the homologation of rules in the Member States or how to give more powers to mayors to regulate or limit the phenomenon of short-term tourist rentals, and also a comparison with the platforms that manage most of the market. The European Union will be able to discuss this at the G7 Tourism Summit in Florence in November. The right to housing is neither a luxury nor a business, it is a pillar of a cohesive and secure European society. And we at S&D will strive for that.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the launch of the strategic dialogue after the farmers' protests was undoubtedly useful and positive, especially since a synthesis has been created between the two souls of the agricultural and agri-food sector, the environmental and the economic. It is a working method that involved the main stakeholders and indicated some important priorities for the future. However, this exercise is only a beginning, which will have to be followed by an even more open and transparent working method, involving above all the co-legislators. The recognition of the agricultural sector as central and strategic for the future of Europe is positive, as is the desire to create a specific fund outside the CAP budget that supports the ecological transition, whose investments cannot weigh on those who are small and have no instruments. It is essential to avoid the increase in costs linked to the environmental ambition of the European Union, while preserving agricultural competitiveness. However, a standardised sustainability benchmarking system, as proposed by the dialogue, must take into account that European agriculture is highly differentiated and this system may be difficult to apply homogeneously at European level. The focus on the importance of generational renewal, with the creation of new farms run by young people, is positive, as is the need to invest in quality and job security and enhance rural areas to make the agricultural sector more attractive, with greater synergy between CAP resources and cohesion policies. Let us not forget the importance of food security and the role of innovation, including genetic innovation, in reducing the use of chemicals, combating diseases and the negative effects of climate change. Our farmers demand attention, courage and commitment. The best defense is the attack and for this we need more resources and more competitiveness. As the Draghi report suggests, we will need an unprecedented plan of new public investment, including the use of a common European debt, as well as a real fiscal and financial union that will lead us out of the crisis. The time for a Europe that survives is over: It is time for a Europe that runs stronger and more united.