After the hearing of the two candidates and receiving answering of additional questions, the coordinators in the Committee for Environment, Health, and Food Safety of the European Parliament have supported the new Climate Commissioner Hoekstra and the new Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for the Green Deal, Maroš Šefčovič, with a two-thirds majority (Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, the liberal RENEW group, and the Greens). The plenary vote will take place tomorrow, Thursday.
Read more: Two-thirds majority of coordinators for support of Climate Commissioner Hoekstra and...
“It is right to strictly regulate the use of pesticides and I also support a reduction strategy, but total bans are wrong. Just like a ban on all pesticides in sensitive areas, as proposed by former Executive Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, a total ban on glyphosate would have a seriously negative impact on food production and prices. Many people are currently suffering from increased food prices. A ban on glyphosate would make this situation even worse. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has comprehensively analyzed the scientific data and, when used appropriately, has found no risk to human health. That's why I think the European Commission's proposal to allow the use of glyphosate for ten more years makes sense in principle," said the environmental policy spokesman for the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP-Christian Democrats), Dr. Peter Liese.
Read more: Peter Liese on glyphosate: Strict rules and reduction important but total ban wrong
“I think Vice President for the Green Deal Šefčovič and Climate Commissioner Hoekstra can be a very good team,” said the spokesperson for the environment of the biggest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats), Peter Liese ahead of the hearings of the two new designated commissioners responsible for the Green Deal and the climate. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that the acting Vice President Maroš Šefčovič (Social Democrats) should become Executive Vice President and take over the coordination of the Green Deal from Frans Timmermans who left the European Commission. New Commissioner for the climate should be the former Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra.
Read more: Peter Liese: Šefčovič and Hoekstra can be a good team
“With this vote there is a new risk of driving bans and even the closure of construction sites and industrial plants. The majority of Social Democrats, Greens, Leftists and some Liberals are acting irresponsibly. This result should not be the last word. In my opinion, it is irresponsible to decide on values that lead to new driving bans and the closure of industrial plants and construction sites. I hope that the situation will improve in the trilogue negotiations. We will continue to fight against excessive measures. It is an important and correct goal to further improve air quality. But we should rely on technology and not on bans. A lot has been achieved in recent years. The levels of nitrogen oxide and particulate matter have fallen to a third since the 1990s. Our air has become much better, especially in a phase in which people are already unsettled and industry is not investing enough in Germany and Europe, there should be no further uncertainty”, said Peter Liese, environmental policy spokesperson of the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats).