European Parliament Elections Reveal Divergent Environmental Policy Priorities

As the European Parliament elections approach in June 2024, political groups are showcasing their divergent environmental policy priorities. The Greens are pushing for ambitious climate action and biodiversity protection, while the center-right European People's Party (EPP) and center-left Socialists focus more on sustainable farming, energy efficiency, and reducing plastic pollution.

The Greens/EFA Group strongly opposes the European Commission's proposal to re-open the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), arguing that it will weaken the CAP's environmental conditionality rules and remove vital ecological and agronomic elements. The group advocates for a fairer, greener CAP that supports farmers and the environment over the interests of large agro-industrial companies.

Meanwhile, farmers across the EU, from Finland to Greece, are expressing discontent with the new environmental regulations and competition from cheap imports that do not have to meet the same standards. This has led to the rise of radical right-wing groups like the Farmers Defense Force (FDF), which is organizing a sizable protest in Brussels to influence the election outcome. Far-right parties are tapping into farmers' grievances and using them to attack mainstream political parties.

Why this matters: The divergent environmental policy priorities among political groups in the European Parliament elections have significant implications for the future of the EU's climate action, biodiversity protection, and agricultural policies. The outcome of these elections will shape the EU's approach to addressing pressing environmental challenges and balancing the interests of various stakeholders, including farmers, environmentalists, and industry groups.

The upcoming elections also highlight the challenges faced by the agricultural sector in the EU. Farmers earn about 40% less than non-farm workers, and 80% of the EU's agricultural support goes to only 20% of farmers. The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and the war in Ukraine have further exacerbated the financial insecurity of farmers, leading to increased tensions and protests.

Ahead of the elections, the umbrella group of EU farm organizations, including the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), has launched its European Election Manifesto. The manifesto calls for repositioning the agriculture sector as a strategic asset for Europe and outlines seven key priorities for the European Commission's next term, including reconciling climate change mitigation, nature conservation, and agri-food production, reinforcing the competitivity and profitability of EU agriculture, and ensuring the agricultural generational transition.

Key Takeaways

• Greens push for ambitious climate action, EPP and Socialists focus on sustainable farming.
• Greens oppose CAP reform, arguing it will weaken environmental rules and protections.
• Farmers protest new EU environmental regulations and cheap imports, fueling rise of far-right.
• EU farm groups call for balancing climate, nature, and food production in next Commission term.
• Divergent environmental priorities in EU elections will shape the bloc's climate and agricultural policies.