Bratislava – Slovakia is in favor of every initiative aimed at redefining, weakening, or altering the Green Deal. This statement was made on Tuesday in Bratislava by Tomáš Taraba, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment of Slovakia, during a meeting with Members of the European Parliament from the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group, focused on The Impact of European “Green Policy” on Citizens, Farmers, and Food Producers, as reported by TASR.
Taraba highlighted Slovakia’s support for the initiative by Italy and France regarding the ETS2 emissions trading system during the recent EU Council for the Environment meeting.
“Currently, there is a consensus suggesting postponing implementation by one or two years. However, such delays in the EU indicate acknowledgement that the plan is not functioning. Some nations are beginning to recognize the Green Deal as a significant issue, yet they hesitate to admit it,” said Taraba.
He recalled that according to the Lisbon Treaty, Europe was expected to become the most competitive continent in the world by 2006.
“When it became evident that this was not realized, the term competitiveness was quickly abandoned. I believe the Green Deal will face a similar fate. Today, the term Green Deal is increasingly viewed with disdain in the EU Council of Ministers and is being diminished. The Green Deal was not agreed upon by farmers and food producers; it essentially imposed directives,” Taraba added.
Andrej Gajdoš, Chairman of the Slovak Agricultural and Food Chamber (SPPK), remarked that Slovak farmers were counting on managing without European legislation for the time being. “Regrettably, the Green Deal has infiltrated strategic plans,” Gajdoš stated.
According to Gajdoš, the Green Deal indicates a potential reduction in agricultural yields by 10 to 40% and a decline in quality. He noted that if EU farmers cannot use protective substances and pesticides, as permitted in other countries, it results in damaged and lower quality European crops. “This leads to a reduced feed base for livestock, and the number of livestock in the EU is continually decreasing,” Gajdoš explained.
Milan Lapšanský, Chairman of the Slovak Union of Bakers, Pasta Makers, and Confectioners (SZPCC), pointed out the lack of expertise within Slovak ministries concerning the Green Deal, leaving Slovaks uncertain on how to measure their carbon footprint and lacking specific targets for Slovak companies.
“If the Green Deal is simplified, we would welcome it from the Slovak Republic’s perspective, as some aspects are truly out of touch with reality,” Lapšanský added. He emphasized that the Green Deal and its policies overlook the supply chains that connect farmers and processors to consumers. (June 10)
“Today, in the corridors of the EU Council of Ministers, the term Green Deal is increasingly seen as an insult and is being phased out. The Green Deal was not a consensus by farmers and food producers; it was essentially a dictate.” Tomáš Taraba
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