Hybrid Event: Next generation agriculture – Harnessing alternative solutions for the SUR
Wednesday 5th of July 2023, 16:15 – 18:00 CEST
Hybrid event held at the European Parliament (Room PHS 7C50) & online
Co-hosted by MEP Franc Bogovič
& MEP Ulrike Müller
Vice-Chairs of the European Parliament Intergroup on ‘Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development’
Over a year ago, the European Commission released the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation (SUR). This anniversary provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate the steps made towards sustainable agriculture and discuss the challenges ahead, while more and more alternatives are needed in order to support farmers in their transition. This event will touch upon the vision for a sustainable agri-food system through the lens of various SUR features – including targets, sensitive areas and integrated pest management – but also the alternatives available to support this transition such as biopesticides, digital and precision agriculture, new genomic techniques and more key enablers needed. Specifically, the event will provide a platform for experts, policy-makers, industry stakeholders, and farmers to exchange knowledge and experiences on sustainable agriculture practices. It will also highlight the importance of collaborative efforts and showcase the latest innovations in biopesticides and new genomic techniques, alongside digital and precision agriculture, to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides. One year after the Commission SUR proposal, this event aims at reflecting on the progress made in the inter-institutional political debate and the challenges faced in building a fair framework for farmers; ultimately that serves to contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable agriculture system.
Agenda:
The event will be moderated by Regine Roncucci, EU Affairs Officer at the EP Intergroup Secretariat
16:15 – 16:25 Opening remarks by MEP Franc Bogovič
16:25 – 17:10 ` Panel discussion with the participation of:
- Andrew Owen-Griffiths, Head of F3 Unit on ‘Plants and Organics’, DG SANTE, European Commission
- Laurent Oger, Deputy Director General, CropLife Europe
- Peter Meedendorp, President, CEJA
- Heinz-Joachim Höfer, Member of the Municipal Council of Altenkirchen (Westerwald) & Rapporteur for the Opinion on SUR, Committee of the Regions (CoR)
- Elena Ambühl, EU Affairs Manager, Agroecology Europe
- Carsten Schmidt, Chair of the Agriculture WG, EurEau
- Jelte Wiersma, Secretary General, CEMA
17:10 – 17:50 Q&A session with the audience, including reactions from additional MEPs (5’ per speaker):
- MEP Juozas Olekas
- MEP Sarah Wiener
17:50 – 18:00 Closing remarks by MEP Ulrike Müller
