Several key measures of the “Green Deal”, a set of texts intended to bring the European Union to carbon neutrality by 2050, will be postponed, the European Commission announced on Wednesday October 4. The proposals under threat concern pesticides, the sustainability of food systems, and even animal welfare.
This latest, highly anticipated measure remains pending impact studies, said Tuesday the Vice-President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic, in charge of the Green Deal, at a time when NGOs, elected officials and States fear its pure and simple burial. Instead of what was to be a complete revision of the rules on animal welfare, Brussels will propose in December a text regulating the transport of animals.
Impact study
“This file is very complex, with many subdivisions: transport, cages, slaughterhouses, all these points whose impact we are currently evaluating, what we can do, what transitions, the associated costs”, and “we must complete this work” before any “serious and honest” proposal, argued Maros Sefcovic.
The latter succeeds Frans Timmermans, architect of the European “Green Deal”. Appointed by the head of the European executive Ursula von der Leyen, Maros Sefcovic will have to ensure the coordination of the vast package of environmental legislation. MEPs also gave a first green light on Wednesday to the appointment of Dutchman Wopke Hoekstra to the Climate portfolio at the European Commission.
Legislative packages on wind energy, mobility and passenger rights are already planned. For others, “I have to be honest, more work is needed,” observed Maros Sefcovic. If half of the texts have already been finalized, including the ambitious reform of the “carbon market”, around thirty remain in negotiations, while the Commission has yet to present certain key proposals. The timetable is extremely tight, seven months before the European elections.
Growing opposition
Among the “difficult” texts: the revision of the “Reach” regulation governing chemical substances, increased control of microplastics, nutritional labeling and even nature restoration measures. Some are threatened with getting bogged down in the face of growing opposition from elected officials from the European People’s Party (center right) and several member states, who are calling for “a regulatory pause” and denouncing a “burden” for businesses and farmers.
Emissions of fine particles have decreased significantly over the last six months
© / The Express
Maros Sefcovic nevertheless showed his desire to “get the Green Deal across the finish line”. Alongside Wopke Hoekstra, he pledged to defend the objective of a net reduction of “at least 90%” of EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2040 compared to 1990. This objective must be the subject of a Commission proposal in early 2024.