During the plenary session (10-13/12/2018) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on establishing a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE). Statements by Gerben-Jan GERBRANDY (ALDE, NL), Karmenu VELLA, Member of the EC in charge of Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Pilar AYUSO (EPP, ES), Maria Gabriela ZOANĂ (S&D, RO), Arne GERICKE (ECR, DE), Davor ŠKRLEC (Greens/EFA, HR) and Jan HUITEMA (ALDE, NL).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

GERBRANDY, Gerben-Jan (ALDE, NL)

environmental protection (T)

VELLA, Karmenu (MT, EC)

LIFE programme

AYUSO, Pilar (EPP, ES)

ŠKRLEC, Davor (Greens/EFA, HR)

GERICKE, Arne (ECR, DE)

HUITEMA, Jan (Renew, NL)

fight against climate change (T)

ZOANĂ, Maria Gabriela (S&D, RO)

Establishing a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE): extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Gerben-Jan GERBRANDY (ALDE, NL), I would like to thank the European Commission for its strong proposal, for the prolongation of the LIFE financial instrument, which is, let's face it, the most successful financial instrument that we have in Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Gerben-Jan GERBRANDY (ALDE, NL), The original fund is far too small, we have &euro;5 billion so that is why this Parliament already in an earlier Plenary resolution asked for an increased up to &euro;7 billion which is very important. The second point is that it should have more coherence with the other EU funds.

SOUNDBITE (English), Gerben-Jan GERBRANDY (ALDE, NL), I would like to emphasize that under the current LIFE agricultural projects are very much eligible. We have currently 136 projects ongoing. [...] There are agri-funds of &euro;400 billion already reserved and this limited fund of &euro;5 billion should not be more strong focused on the agri-sector than it is already.

SOUNDBITE (English), Karmenu VELLA, Member of the EC in charge of Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, I would like to stress that LIFE is not meant to solve all environmental and climate funding problems on its own. This instrument is at the heart of the Commission overall approach to ensure that the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027 will support environment and climate across all its instruments. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Karmenu VELLA, Member of the EC in charge of Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, I am keen to achieve a first reading agreement before the Parliament recess and I would like to reassure you that the Commission stands ready to play its role as a honest broker. Next week, I will discuss the LIFE programme at the Environment Council where a partially general approach will hopefully be agreed. Such a timeline, could allow trilogues to start already in January.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Pilar AYUSO (EPP, ES), <p>I am going to go over the priorities for our political group. First, the need to protect biodiversity and protected areas moreover giving the challenges in many areas in Europe when it comes to managing large carnivores. Our group presented an additional amendment asking for funding for this project. The second point concerns farmers, who should increasingly sustainable in the way they farm. Third, the role and support to the outermost regions in LIFE giving the great value of biodiversity in these regions that the programme should include. Finally, we request administrative simplication.</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Maria Gabriela ZOAN&#258; (S&amp;D, RO), The LIFE programme aims to create a circular economy and energy efficiency, adapting to climate change, promoting innovative methods for combating climate change. 25 percent of the whole budget is to be used to cover climate change matters. The European Parliament has spoken of increasing this figure to 30 percent after 2020, so we can achieve the goals that we have set. 

SOUNDBITE (German), Arne GERICKE (ECR, DE), It is important to have the LIFE programme to give natural areas more room to recover although Europe is not going to became the new garden of the Eden but let's make sure that our children inherit clean and healthy environment.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Davor &#352;KRLEC (Greens/EFA, HR), I agree with Commissioner Vella that there are other funds that can finance environmental protection and climate change but this should be at least one percent of the future budget to ensure the good things that have been already recognised in the current programme. 

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Jan HUITEMA (ALDE, NL), We can do two things, use farmers as scapegoats or you can see them as important partners to preserve the environment. In this proposal of the LIFE programme, there is a desire to work together with farmers for a more sustainable agriculture and horticulture.