Priority question for written answer
to the Commission
Rule 138
Asger Christensen
Subject:
Question about intensive pig farming in certain EU countries
At the hearing in the European Parliament on 1 October 2019 the Commissioner for Agriculture stated
that he would represent all farmers in Europe, regardless of size or production. European agriculture
differs from Member State to Member State and is a diverse sector. In this regard, recent social
media interventions from the Commissioner which critique the pig farming sector in countries such as
Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark as unsustainable are a very concerning and simplistic
position.
Could the Commission clarify on what factual and substantiated basis these remarks were made?
Why have these Member States been singled out by the Commission for critique?
Sustainability is a very complex issue, which should also take into account climate efficiency and
measures, investments and advancements in the reduction in the use of antibiotics among other
elements. These countries are leaders in this aspect and this a balanced picture has not been
presented.
Will these elements be taken into account in the Farm to Fork Strategy and the European Green
Deal?
Can the Commission confirm that it is working on behalf of all farmers in Europe and that it will take
an unbiased approach when it address these issues and represent farmers in the development of the
Farm to Fork Strategy, and what will you do the ensure this?