European farmer president Massimiliano Giansanti demands clarification on EU payments to green lobby. Giansanti is calling for immediate clarification on secret EU payments to environmental clubs promoting Dutch politician and former European Commissioner Frans Timmermans’ green plans.
Giansanti urges the European Commission and President Ursula von der Leyen to clarify the situation publicly. He hopes for a new course from von der Leyen, considering the impact of wars and financial speculation on agriculture.
According to Giansanti, there has been a significant loss of agricultural production due to the EU’s environmental focus in recent years.
Giansanti clarifies that Copa is not financed by the EU but by its individual member associations.
According to De Telegraaf, the European Commission agreed with environmental organizations to lobby for Timmermans’ Green Deal in exchange for subsidies.
GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans says he is unaware of secret contracts concluded during his time as a European Commissioner. He calls for complete transparency and investigation into the allegations. Timmermans points out that the Commission financially supports various interest groups, including environmental and agricultural organizations. He believes that balanced debate between different interests benefits political decision-making.
In the Dutch parliament, NSC and VVD demand clarification from Prime Minister Dick Schoof on the Commission’s working methods. Pieter Omtzigt (NSC), Sander van Waveren (NSC), and Thom van Campen (VVD) want to know if the Dutch government was aware of these methods.
The European Environmental Bureau was instructed to provide examples of how the European Parliament made green legislation more ambitious thanks to their lobbying. NSC MEP Dirk Gotink
and colleagues are investigating the subsidy contracts with environmental groups.
and colleagues are investigating the subsidy contracts with environmental groups.
Gotink emphasizes that this is not a smear campaign against the environmental movement but targets the European Commission.
European Commissioner Piotr Serafin admits that NGOs had to lobby with members of the European Parliament, calling it inappropriate.