Hi everybody
I volunteered to lead the “Agriculture and Fisheries” working group for the update of the CEEP, as such I suggest you start with a small inventory of the programs of each of your organizations.
Could you answer this subject with the points of program which you already carry in your respective parties on the subject of agriculture?
What are your local orientations?
How do you envision the agriculture of tomorrow?
Thank you for your answers!
Florie
Here’s a link to the text for this chapter in the 2019 CEEP: Agriculture & Fisheries | European Pirate Party
Hello,
PPLU is currently working on a new program for the national elections, where agriculture will also be a topic. We have only a few specific points in our 2018 program, so the following is a summary of our work in the parliament during the last 4 years.
Our main orientations in the Luxembourgish parliament concerning agriculture were animal welfare, switching to an organic food production, transparent consumer information (with clear labels).
In a nutshell, our vision for tomorrow is an agriculture,
where the farmer is paid fairly,
where the consumer receives healthy food which does not harm the soils & water
without animal torture (no mass meat industry, no long-haul animal transports).
To achieve this, funds from the CAP must be reallocated to support and strenghten modernanimal husbandry and crop cultivation.
In its programmes, the German Pirate Party attaches great importance to sustainability, especially the preservation of good soil and clean water for future generations. In the past, we have had very active working groups in this area, which is why we have very detailed programmes about this topic. Will post translations of the individual programmes with links to the originals in this thread, hope it helps. Based on the programmes, I would assume that a future agriculture in the sense of the Pirate Party Germany would be one that uses digitalisation and open data to manage raw materials more sustainably.
First Text from our Party Plattform in Germany
https://wiki.piratenpartei.de/Parteiprogramm
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries
We want agriculture, forestry and fisheries that focus on the conservation of natural resources. Soil is our basis of life and cannot be increased at will. We cannot do without clean water and clean air. There must be no patents on living beings.
Seeds
We are committed to diversity in seeds and want to preserve old varieties so that we can fall back on a large gene pool. The combination of seeds with the appropriate plant protection products should not be protected by patents. It does not matter whether the resistance has been bred, brought about by genetic modification or other processes.
Pollinators
For fields and trees to bear fruit, we need not only the wind but also bees and other insects. Their protection is particularly important, as they have a decisive influence not only on yields, but on biodiversity as a whole.
Farm animal husbandry
Animal husbandry conditions and production processes must be geared to the livelihood needs of the animals.
Agricultural subsidies
We want to ensure that no public money in the form of agricultural subsidies is granted at federal and EU level without compensation in the areas of climate, environmental, nature and animal and species protection.
Second our old 2014 european election program
https://wiki.piratenpartei.de/Wahlen/Europa/2019/Positionen
Agriculture and fisheries
Europe sustainable
We are part of nature and depend on naturally clean materials such as water, air, soil, diverse flora and fauna as food sources in our vicinity. Our goal is healthy food production for all, today and tomorrow. We support the strong weight of the European Commission for Agriculture and Rural Development in acting as an advocate for the protection of our natural livelihoods, turning exploitation into natural growth.
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
We want a common agricultural policy that promotes natural and cultural diversity. We are convinced that diversity in food production, adapted to local conditions, in the hands of many independent and self-determined actors will ensure food security and quality of life in cities and rural areas. The common agricultural policy must serve as a framework for equal rights, opportunities and obligations.
The role of subsidies in European agricultural policy needs to be changed, it needs to be oriented towards more diversity and equity. Subsidies can only be guaranteed in line with sustainability criteria.
Aspects of land use
Land ownership must always be linked to a commitment to social and natural well-being. We reject land ownership for purely speculative purposes.
Soil is far more than the carrier of our food; it has valuable buffer and storage capacities. We regard the build-up of humus in the soil as the silver bullet, not only for restoring soil fertility, but also as the chance to store CO2 permanently and to counter climate change.
We see the preservation and development of small-scale farming structures as a contribution to greater resilience.
Urban and suburban agriculture and garden culture reduces transport distances, directly serves nutrition and knowledge transfer, fulfils many human needs and is therefore to be promoted.
Use of biological diversity
We advocate the preservation and further development of the diversity of varieties of seed-proof cultivated plants. They should be available under open source licence to all producers for cultivation and further breeding.
The principle of “NO PATENT ON LIFE” must be strictly implemented.
Fishing quotas must be set by a scientifically proven measure of sustainability. The European programme to combat illegal fishing must be strengthened.
The export of food surpluses to third countries must be reassessed if it can destroy the market for food grown there.
In trade agreements with third countries, the EU must renounce unfair practices that it can enforce because of its size.
Technology benefits and digital solutions
We consider it a task of the EU to enforce open access to digital applications and open interfaces between different systems. Data collected and managed with public funds must remain and become easily accessible to the public (e.g. climate and weather data, soil data, water availability, etc.). The EU must ensure that these are not casually privatised through private sector use.
German Election program
Environment, Agriculture, Animal and Consumer Protection
Environment
Sustainability
We PIRATES are committed to ecologically, economically and socially sustainable development. By this we mean a responsible and generationally just use of the resources of an immaterial or material nature that are necessary for general well-being. We demand the extension of the Basic Law to include an Article 20b in which the principle of sustainability is anchored as a state objective with the wording “The state shall observe the principle of sustainability in its actions”.
Introduction of an environmental code and abolition of mining law
More than 50 years after the enactment of the first environmental laws, it is time to summarise them in a clear and transparent way. We PIRATEN advocate the establishment of a federal environmental code in which the relevant laws and ordinances are compiled analogously to the social codes.
We demand the abolition of mining law. The mining law currently in force is part of a tradition of non-transparent, undemocratic, authoritarian and authoritarian legislation that undermines fundamental rights in projects such as fracking, open-cast lignite mining and CCS (Carbon Capture & Storage) and prevents the pending revision of environmental legislation. The necessary new regulations to replace mining law should be included in the Federal Environmental Code to be created.
Water management
Drinking water
Water is a communal good and must be available to every citizen. We PIRATEN stand for the remunicipalisation of water supply, as it serves as a basic supply infrastructure. We strive for a high quality of drinking water and want to achieve this also through the reduction of pollutants. The Drinking Water Ordinance should be regularly adapted to the latest findings on water constituents. As a matter of principle, private households should be allowed to supply their own water. If a private domestic water supply is possible, we reject a compulsory connection to the municipal drinking water network. Quality control is to be carried out on one’s own responsibility.
Waste water
Waste water is a valuable material and we strive for a resource-saving handling of the valuable ingredients. We advocate the abolition of the obligation to connect domestic wastewater to the sewage network if compliance with the effluent parameters according to the EU Framework Directive is ensured on one’s own responsibility. Industrial waste water and waste water from hospitals must be suitably pretreated. Mixing with domestic waste water is to be avoided.
Water protection
Water resources must be kept free from impairment. In all areas, interventions in the soil must be checked for their compatibility with water protection and adapted if necessary.
Agriculture
For agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food, our goal is to manage in balance with the natural balance and in the most regional cycles possible.
The problem areas in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and the food industry are numerous. Often, the lack of equitable structures, lack of transparency and the struggle for supremacy are the actual causes that lead to the excessive use of natural resources and bring systems that were previously capable of regeneration to the brink of collapse. Regulatory frameworks are therefore necessary here, which we PIRATEN want to shape. There are just as many solutions to many questions. We want to pave the way for these in a process of open, fact-based discussion involving all interest groups.
Our priorities for the coming years are:
Preserving, using and developing regional diversity
We see the preservation and development of diverse, small-scale farming structures as a contribution to greater adaptive capacity (resilience). We are convinced that diversity in food production, adapted to local conditions, in the hands of many independent and self-determined actors ensure food security and quality of life in urban and rural areas. Urban and suburban agriculture and garden culture shortens transport routes, directly serves nutrition and knowledge transfer, fulfils many human needs and is therefore to be promoted.
Valuing soil beyond speculative thinking
Soil is the carrier of our food, and it also possesses valuable buffer and storage capacities. Soil loss and degradation needs active countermeasures to preserve the ecosystem services of soil that serve all.
Soil prices are developing completely independently of this appreciation. Where soil becomes a disposal mass in capital investments and speculative objects, strict regulatory frameworks must curtail motivation.
Building and preserving humus
CO2 can be removed from the atmosphere immediately and everywhere by building up humus in the soil. In humus, CO2 is removed from the atmosphere through the build-up of biomass and part of it is permanently stored as carbon in the soil. We see the knowledge of this and its application as the ideal way to counter the consequences of climate change and to restore important soil functions such as soil fertility and buffering capacity.
Humus depletion through drainage of peat soils and peat use must be urgently reduced. Alternatives such as paludiculture and the extraction of peat substitutes must be eligible for support under the CAP.
Using plant carbon
Vegetable carbon has the potential to provide many answers to pressing questions. The knowledge of positive effects in animal husbandry, in arable farming, for humus formation, in compost management, for decentralised energy production, for sewage sludge disposal and much more deserves more attention and dissemination. The regionally organised, appropriate use of plant charcoal (pyrolysis charcoal) should be expanded. A plant charcoal programme could be developed in a citizens’ assembly.
For forestry, the decentralised construction of pyrolysis plants offers a sensible valorisation for drought-induced felled timber.
Treat farm and wild animals with respect
Good husbandry practices for farm animals are based on the needs of the animals. The continuous development of standards in animal husbandry according to scientific findings and their application are our goal. The current standards are not yet optimal in many respects. Small farms should be able to receive financial support for investments in the implementation of new standards.
Fishing quotas must be set by a scientifically proven measure of sustainability. The federal government must work to strengthen the European programme to combat illegal fishing.
The wolf naturally belongs in Germany’s wildlife fauna. The knowledge of the factually correct handling of these wild animals must be promoted and consolidated by institutions. Pastoralists are entitled to full support to safeguard their herds.
Making supply chains transparent
We want an agricultural policy that initially seeks short routes, from the producer to the processor, marketer and consumer, so that the chain of value creation can also remain within a region that is as narrowly defined as possible and strengthen it. In regional networks organised in this way, a high degree of transparency is often already given through personal contacts and can be secured through blockchain systems.
We want a supply chain law for agricultural products that, in addition to the disclosure of supply chains, includes a personnel adjustment to the scope of official auditing and monitoring.
Making seeds seed-proof
Seeds are the first step towards self-determination or external determination over our food. We PIRATES advocate the preservation and further development of the diversity of varieties of seed-proof crops. They should be available to all producers under an open-source licence for cultivation and further breeding.
No patents on life
This principle must be strictly implemented.
Use digitalisation sensibly
We see digitalisation (in) agriculture as an opportunity if it is applied in the service of the majority and without restricting self-determination. In addition to the technology-oriented view, the economic and social consequences of the digitalisation of agriculture must be discussed.
Digital applications for agriculture have enormous potential and at the same time entail enormous risks. However, it is not a matter of weighing these up against each other, but of taking a clear position and laying down rules in good time. We PIRATES demand:
all data collected with public funds and funded developments must be available as open source
open access to digital applications and open interfaces between different systems must be given and must not be restricted by patents, licensing or the like
The monopoly position of providers must be prevented by anti-trust law.
it must be ensured by law that farmers do not become dependent on individual providers as a result of data collection. data relevant to the farm must remain in the farmer's possession and be recorded in a format that makes it easy to switch to other providers.
Digital systems are to be promoted if they serve providers and users alike, e.g. relieve the latter in an increasingly condensed and bureaucratised working world or support him in making decisions in the flood of information.
Digital applications must be geared towards sustainability. Precision farming or precision livestock farming as digital means to increase efficiency in the existing system of overproduction are not.
For agriculture must always have food sovereignty in mind, i.e. the self-determined decision as to what is grown, processed and eaten locally. Digital systems are important tools for reducing the workload, administration and communication. Farmers, processors, traders and consumers must remain independent. The current path of offering food at knock-down prices worldwide, at the expense of people, animals and the natural environment, must not be fuelled by digitalisation.
Hello, I just noticed the question about our national programs.
Our agriculture team in PPCZ has a long history and has already managed to make some major policy changes on the national level. We currently hold the position of the Deputy minister for Agriculture of the Czech Republic (Radek Holomčík).
Last general election’s program points related to agri are listed here: Programové body
The long-term program is here: Program | Česká pirátská strana
Let me know if it would be useful to translate it better than by some automated translator would do.
Update: I also included automated translation into our working pad.
Hi, I just saw that there was a meeting planned yesterday but I could not participate. As part of the agriculture and fisheries, I would like to propose the following elements (I have changed the shape but kept the wording on different topics):
Towards a Sustainable Europe
As we are part of nature our quality of life depends on natural resources like unpolluted water, air, soil and food at our homes. We achieve a sustainable and healthy food production for all, now and tomorrow. It also means that life should belong to anyone and thus the baseline ‘no patents on life’ must be strictly realized.
We advocate for a strong role of the AGRI, PECH, ENVI and REGI committees, provided that lessons are learnt from past mistakes in EU agricultural policies. It is their duty in order to: protect our natural resources, and change nature’s exploitation into nature prospering while guaranteeing a just transition, ensure food security and tackle food waste and loss.
Common Agriculture Policy (CAP)
We want a CAP that supports natural and cultural diversity. We are convinced that multiplicity of food production which is locally adapted and in the hands of many independent and self-determined actors will grant food safety and quality of life in the countryside and cities as well. The CAP must provide the frame which stipulates equal rights, opportunities and commitments.
The role of subsidies in European agricultural politics must change towards a greater focus on diversity and equality and avoid mass subsidies to agribusiness. Financial support must be granted according to sustainability criteria, while auditing and transparency of the funding must be enhanced in order to avoid fraud.
A different agriculture
As land is becoming a limited resource, Pirates demand that property of land shall be more committed to social and natural welfare. In parallel, small-scale and subsistence agriculture without heavy machinery should be preserved while urban and suburban agriculture and gardening need to be encouraged in order to reduce transport, supply nutrition, spread knowledge, satisfy human needs and enhance resilience.
Farming that protect biodiversity is of utmost importance. Pirates therefore think that the EU shall stick to ambitious binding targets reducing pesticides and synthetic fertilizers use. We support sound policies aiming at reversing biodiversity loss in the agricultural sector, especially concerning pollinators and land management. Sound water management water in farming will also prove to be crucial as demand is growing.
Use of technology and digital solutions
Pirates will work towards these goals:
Better food, less waste
All European countries deserve the same quality of food and we must ensure that “dual-quality foods” is ended. In parallel, Pirates back the shift towards a more organic food production. We nonetheless must ensure that an healthy diet is affordable. We therefore believe that front of pack labeling is increasingly becoming necessary.
According to Eurostat, around 10% of the food made available to consumer may be wasted. Resilience of our food systems will therefore rely on our capacity to sharply stem the tide of waste by providing incentives and regulation on monitoring, education, donation, redistribution, reuse and recycling.
Animal welfare
Pirates are staunch advocate of animal welfare. We push for strong regulation of farming in order to ban inhumane practices, improve standards on living conditions, reduce animal transport, reduce the use of antibiotics and a greater enforcement of current laws.
Sustainable fisheries
When it comes to fisheries, fishing quotas must be revamped in order to adapt to the scientifically evident sustainability and protect small scale fisheries. The European programme to combat illegal fisheries must be strengthened. Observing reluctance from several Member States, marine protected areas should be granted an appropriate and harmonized level of protection by forbidding unsustainable practices harmful to biodiversity such as bottom trawling or extractive activities.
The large scale development of aquaculture should also be closely monitored in order to provide animal welfare, equilibrium between feeding and fishing, great integration in the environment and ecosystem while ensuring traceability.
The two points on trade can be brought up in the trade section in international affairs:
Hi here
We will have to close the work on saturday, so I propose you to finish to work on the pad until saturday and to try do sum it together before saturday.
https://mypads.framapad.org/p/ceep-agriculture-and-fisheries-nr5m97zn
Thank you all for your participation
Hi. Thanks for summary work.
I just have 3 points which I disagree with:
small-scale and subsistence agriculture without heavy machinery should be preserved
In France we are fighting for a universal income. I think it’s not compatible to fight for both. If people work less and can chose their wortk, i really dont think they will go remove grass in small field. For me it’s the exact opposite, less people will be farmers.
ambitious binding targets reducing pesticides and synthetic fertilizers use
The word “syntetic” is useless and problematic for me. It could be understood than “natural” pesticides and fertilizers dont need to be reduced or are good. I think we should remove this word. Furthermore, less syntetic products mean more animal exploitation (to remplace them)
Pirates back the shift towards a more organic food production
I dont think’s it’s a good thing to promote organic algriculture. First, it is generating more CO2. Then, I think it is really hypocritical and elitist to push for something that produced less. People are still dying of hunger around the world and inside our countries.
We can take example for Egypt which is the biggest wheat importer: they have same yiled than ours but when they have 3 acres/person we have 29acres/person.
We see with ukrianan war that food is a main tool for
geopolitical pressure.
I will try to had a point about disccused subjects in France: GMO, storage of water and glyphosate.
My point is: they are tools.
Not using tools on principle is, in my opinion, stupid; just as asserting that the use made of these tools will always be beneficial is just as.
Hello, so we continued the work in the pad during the today’s Strasbourg workshop.
I am posting the version we came to, just to back it up.
It’s mostly assembled from what was in the pad + a few more suggestions according to the gaps identified in the last online meeting.
[UPDATE: See next post for an updated version!]
As we are part of nature, our quality of life depends on natural resources like unpolluted water, air, soil and food at our homes. We need to achieve a sustainable and healthy food production for all, now and tomorrow.
We advocate a strong role of the Committee of Agriculture and Rural Development, provided that lessons are learnt from past mistakes in EU agricultural policies. It is their duty in order to protect our natural resources and change nature’s exploitation into nature prospering.
Pirates demand upholding (and wherever possible, exceeding) ambitious environmental promises and plans made on EU and international level. Both regarding conservation and support of biodiversity in agroecosystems as well as greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
Urban and suburban agriculture and gardening need to be encouraged to reduce transport, supply nutrition, spread knowledge, satisfy human needs.
Fishing quotas must be adjusted according to the scientifically evident sustainability. The European programme to combat illegal fisheries must be strengthened. EU should push for enabling fish migration in rivers, especially unnecessary dams removal.
In trade agreements with third countries, the EU shall avoid unfair trade practices based on its trade power. Exports of a European surplus food products into third countries must be reassessed, if they may damage the markets for local food.
We want a Common Agriculture Policy that supports natural and cultural diversity. We are convinced that multiplicity of food production which is locally adapted and in the hands of many independent and self-determined actors will grant food security and quality of life in the countryside and cities as well.
CAP should encourage farmers to adapt to climate change in terms of technologies and choice of crops or breeds. The CAP must provide the frame which stipulates equal rights, opportunities and commitments.
The role of subsidies in European agricultural politics must change towards a greater focus on diversity and equality. Financial support must be granted according to sustainability criteria and not based on the land area or production.
As agriculture of EU provides high overproduction and as production can be marketed by standard market means, subsidies should only support common public good. Ecosystem degradation should not be part of agricultural policy as an excuse for social issues.
To enhance resilience, Pirates want to preserve and support small scale farming and subsistence agriculture.
The baseline ‘no patents on life’ must be strictly realized.
The EU shall establish the frame for open access to digital applications and open interfaces.
Publicly funded data on, for example, climate, weather, soil, and water must be easily accessible for the public. The EU must ensure that any such datasets which have been obtained by using proprietary technologies will not pass into private hands.
[new proposal, briefly discussed on April 15 in Strasbourg]
EU should do more to incentivize practices leading to preservation and restoration of biodiversity, water retention and capture of carbon in forests, both in terms of regulation and funding. But we have to learn from mistakes of the Common Agricultural Policy. The goal is to help the development of a sustainable industry, both in economical and environmental sense, while creating ecosystems which provide a multitude of ecosystem services.
EU has to enforce strict protection of old-growth forests as well as old trees in all other parts of the landscape.
[new proposal, briefly discussed on April 15 in Strasbourg]
All animals deserve to be treated humanely. Pirates support strengthening measures ensuring appropriate care and management and less painful slaughter, such as phase-out of cage farming as soon as possible, introducing species-specific standards for all farmed animals, ban on export of live animals to third countries and reduction of long journeys of live animals by introducing strict absolute time limits.
Lack of transparency on farming conditions and of education on the welfare of animals in modern farming systems needs to be addressed, e.g. by a method-of-production plus label for animal products.
Pirates support further development of alternatives such as cellular agriculture and incentives to more plant-based diets.
[new proposal - from jobry on Discourse, NOT discussed on April 15 in Strasbourg; if included, avoid repetition with first paragraph]
When it comes to fisheries, fishing quotas must be revamped in order to adapt to the scientifically evident sustainability and protect small scale fisheries. The European programme to combat illegal fisheries must be strengthened. Observing reluctance from several Member States, marine protected areas should be granted an appropriate and harmonized level of protection by forbidding unsustainable practices harmful to biodiversity such as bottom trawling or extractive activities.
The large scale development of aquaculture should also be closely monitored in order to provide animal welfare, equilibrium between feeding and fishing, great integration in the environment and ecosystem while ensuring traceability.
########
[What has been deleted in the Strasbourg version above]:
Property of land shall be more committed to social and natural welfare. [please clarify or delete]
We want farmers to crop in smaller fields without heavy machinery. [too general and radical - CAP covers this sufficiently]
The soil bonification based on the organic matter level and water holding capacity should be established. [too specific to be worded right here]
A very slightly updated version after my meeting with Florie right now:
Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Animal Welfare
Towards a Sustainable Europe and a Sustainable Planet
As we are part of nature, our quality of life depends on natural resources like unpolluted water, air, soil and food at our homes. We need to achieve a sustainable and healthy food production for all, now and tomorrow.
We advocate a strong role of the Committee of Agriculture and Rural Development, provided that lessons are learnt from past mistakes in EU agricultural policies. It is their duty in order to protect our natural resources and change nature’s exploitation into nature prospering.
Pirates demand upholding (and wherever possible, exceeding) ambitious environmental promises and plans made on EU and international level. Both regarding conservation and support of biodiversity in agroecosystems as well as greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
Urban and suburban agriculture and gardening need to be encouraged to reduce transport, supply nutrition, spread knowledge, satisfy human needs.
In trade agreements with third countries, the EU shall avoid unfair trade practices based on its trade power. Exports of a European surplus food products into third countries must be reassessed, if they may damage the markets for local food.
Subsidies only for the public good
We want a Common Agriculture Policy that supports natural and cultural diversity. We are convinced that multiplicity of food production which is locally adapted and in the hands of many independent and self-determined actors will grant food security and quality of life in the countryside and cities as well.
CAP should encourage farmers to adapt to climate change in terms of technologies and choice of crops or breeds. The CAP must provide the frame which stipulates equal rights, opportunities and commitments.
The role of subsidies in European agricultural politics must change towards a greater focus on diversity and equality. Financial support must be granted according to sustainability criteria and not based on the land area or production.
As agriculture of EU provides high overproduction and as production can be marketed by standard market means, subsidies should only support common public good. Ecosystem degradation should not be part of agricultural policy as an excuse for social issues.
To enhance resilience, Pirates want to preserve and support small scale farming and subsistence agriculture.
Use of technology and digital solutions
The baseline ‘no patents on life’ must be strictly realized.
The EU shall establish the frame for open access to digital applications and open interfaces.
Publicly funded data on, for example, climate, weather, soil, and water must be easily accessible for the public. The EU must ensure that any such datasets which have been obtained by using proprietary technologies will not pass into private hands.
Forestry
EU should do more to incentivize practices leading to preservation and restoration of biodiversity, water retention and capture of carbon in forests, both in terms of regulation and funding. But we have to learn from mistakes of the Common Agricultural Policy. The goal is to help the development of a sustainable industry, both in economical and environmental sense.
EU has to enforce strict protection of old-growth forests as well as old trees in all other parts of the landscape.
Animal welfare
All animals deserve to be treated humanely. Pirates support strengthening measures ensuring appropriate care and management and less painful slaughter, such as phase-out of cage farming as soon as possible, introducing species-specific standards for all farmed animals, ban on export of live animals to third countries and reduction of long journeys of live animals by introducing strict absolute time limits.
Lack of transparency on farming conditions and of education on the welfare of animals in modern farming systems needs to be addressed, e.g. by a method-of-production plus label for animal products.
Pirates support further development of alternatives to meat and incentives to a shift towards a more plant-based diets.
Sustainable fisheries
Fishing quotas must be revamped in order to adapt to the scientifically evident sustainability and protect small scale fisheries. The EU should expand policies combating illegal fisheries. Marine protected areas should be granted an appropriate and harmonized level of protection by forbidding unsustainable practices harmful to biodiversity such as bottom trawling or extractive activities.
The large scale development of aquaculture should also be closely monitored in order to provide animal welfare, equilibrium between feeding and fishing, great integration in the environment and ecosystem while ensuring traceability.
EU should push for enabling fish migration in rivers, especially unnecessary dams removal.
Great job, thank you guys!
Sorry for the late answer. Just one technical point it might seem counter-intuitive but the agriculture committee is not the only committee dealing with agriculture and rural and regional development. The Committee on environment (ENVI) power is growing on these topics - especially on sustainability and biodiversity; the committee on regional development (REGI) has also competences when it comes to funding and rural development; and the fisheries (PECH) committee on fisheries policies obviously.
Knowing that the agriculture committee is often considered more conservative than the ENVI committee during this mandate. Therefore advocating for a stronger role of this specific committee might be counter-productive.
That’s not a technical note, but rather an important policy one. And one I would totally agree with! @Florie …?
If you agree, I agree 
So I am adding @jobry 's suggestion straight into the text to make it easier for the board to just copy it (cc @Florie ).
I’ve made a few miniscule language edits (“to”, “the”), but I still believe that a proper language check by a native speaker should be done before the final ratification process.
Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Animal Welfare
Towards a Sustainable Europe and a Sustainable Planet
As we are part of nature, our quality of life depends on natural resources like unpolluted water, air, soil and food at our homes. We need to achieve a sustainable and healthy food production for all, now and tomorrow.
We advocate a strong role of the ENVI, AGRI, PECH and REGI committees, provided that lessons are learnt from past mistakes in EU agricultural policies. It is their duty in order to protect our natural resources and change nature’s exploitation into nature prospering.
Pirates demand upholding (and wherever possible, exceeding) ambitious environmental promises and plans made on EU and international level. Both regarding conservation and support of biodiversity in agroecosystems as well as greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
Urban and suburban agriculture and gardening need to be encouraged to reduce transport, supply nutrition, spread knowledge, satisfy human needs.
In trade agreements with third countries, the EU shall avoid unfair trade practices based on its trade power. Exports of a European surplus food products into third countries must be reassessed, if they may damage the markets for local food.
Subsidies only for the public good
We want a Common Agriculture Policy that supports natural and cultural diversity. We are convinced that multiplicity of food production which is locally adapted and in the hands of many independent and self-determined actors will grant food security and quality of life in the countryside and cities as well.
CAP should encourage farmers to adapt to climate change in terms of technologies and choice of crops or breeds. The CAP must provide the frame which stipulates equal rights, opportunities and commitments.
The role of subsidies in European agricultural politics must change towards a greater focus on diversity and equality. Financial support must be granted according to sustainability criteria and not based on the land area or production.
As agriculture of the EU provides high overproduction and as production can be marketed by standard market means, subsidies should only support common public good. Ecosystem degradation should not be part of agricultural policy as an excuse for social issues.
To enhance resilience, Pirates want to preserve and support small scale farming and subsistence agriculture.
Use of technology and digital solutions
The baseline ‘no patents on life’ must be strictly realized.
The EU shall establish the frame for open access to digital applications and open interfaces.
Publicly funded data on, for example, climate, weather, soil, and water must be easily accessible for the public. The EU must ensure that any such datasets which have been obtained by using proprietary technologies will not pass into private hands.
Forestry
EU should do more to incentivize practices leading to preservation and restoration of biodiversity, water retention and capture of carbon in forests, both in terms of regulation and funding. But we have to learn from mistakes of the Common Agricultural Policy. The goal is to help the development of a sustainable industry, both in economical and environmental sense.
EU has to enforce strict protection of old-growth forests as well as old trees in all other parts of the landscape.
Animal welfare
All animals deserve to be treated humanely. Pirates support strengthening measures ensuring appropriate care and management and less painful slaughter, such as phase-out of cage farming as soon as possible, introducing species-specific standards for all farmed animals, ban on export of live animals to third countries and reduction of long journeys of live animals by introducing strict absolute time limits.
Lack of transparency on farming conditions and of education on the welfare of animals in modern farming systems needs to be addressed, e.g. by a method-of-production plus label for animal products.
Pirates support further development of alternatives to meat and incentives to a shift towards a more plant-based diets.
Sustainable fisheries
Fishing quotas must be revamped in order to adapt to the scientifically evident sustainability and to protect small scale fisheries. The EU should expand policies combating illegal fisheries. Marine protected areas should be granted an appropriate and harmonized level of protection by forbidding unsustainable practices harmful to biodiversity such as bottom trawling or extractive activities.
Large scale development of aquaculture should also be closely monitored in order to provide animal welfare, equilibrium between feeding and fishing, better integration in the environment and ecosystem while ensuring traceability.
EU should push for enabling fish migration in rivers, especially unnecessary dams removal.