Question for written answer E-001965/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Annika Bruna (ID)
In a Contexte article dated 12 June 2023, Cooperl, an agricultural and agri-food cooperative in Western France that brings together a large number of breeders, raised the possibility of giving livestock farmers carbon credits to reward them for their environmental services.
In order to reduce their carbon footprint, farmers are forced to make significant investments that enable them solely to fulfil their regulatory obligations, without any return on their investment whatsoever: they merely earn the right to survive.
However, over and above the carbon issue, investments aimed at improving animal welfare and animal feed (in particular to reduce methane emissions), reusing effluents (in organic fertiliser) and sequestering carbon in the soil all benefit the environment.
These financial efforts should therefore be properly rewarded.
1.Rather than penalising our already fragile farming businesses under the auspices of climate protection, would the Commission consider rewarding farmers for their environmental services?2.Rather than depending on the CAP, could they be rewarded in a simpler and more direct manner, in particular by means of a carbon credit mechanism?
Submitted:19.6.2023
Last updated: 30 June 2023