EU farm chief drafts secret law on food security in last hurrah

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski has secretly drafted a controversial food security law, bypassing the official legislative process
• The proposed law contradicts existing EU climate and environmental policies, focusing on reducing regulations and offering tax exemptions to farmers
• Wojciechowski, whose term is nearing its end, aims to leave a legacy by prioritizing agricultural interests over environmental concerns

🔭 The context: The draft law has caused surprise within the European Commission, as it was developed without consultation or alignment with the EU's formal procedures
• This move is consistent with Wojciechowski's past actions, which have included criticism of the European Green Deal and praise for trade restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural imports
• His proposals appear to favor large agricultural associations and reduce environmental oversight

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: If adopted, Wojciechowski's proposals could weaken environmental protections and undermine the EU's climate goals
• Critics argue that scaling back these regulations would harm biodiversity and soil health, conflicting with sustainable food production efforts necessary for long-term food security

⏭️ What's next: The draft law faces skepticism and resistance from various stakeholders, including environmental groups and policy experts, who emphasize the need to balance agricultural production with ecological sustainability
• The timing also coincides with the release of the EU's Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture report, potentially complicating its reception

💬 One quote: “No scientist would endorse the view that long-term food security depends on removing environmental conditionalities imposed on farmers,” said Olivier De Schutter, co-chair at the International Panel of Experts for Sustainable Food Systems

📈 One stat: The draft food security law proposes that farmers be “free of taxes” and allows them to keep unregistered livestock

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