BRUSSELS, Feb 6 (Reuters) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday proposed withdrawing the EU’s plan to halve the use of pesticides, calling it a “symbol of polarisation” as regional farmers protested over rising costs and other factors.
“Our farmers deserve to be listened to,” Von der Leyen told the European Parliament.
“I know that they are worried about the future of agriculture and their future as farmers. But they also know that agriculture needs to move to a more sustainable model of production so that their farms remain profitable in the years to come.”
European farmers have protested in recent weeks against rising costs, taxes, cheap food imports and constraints due to the EU’s drive to fight climate change.
European farmers’ lobby COPA-COGECA welcomed Von der Leyen’s remarks.