Ahead of the European elections this week, the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO) is calling on future MEPs to ensure that they support landowners in handling the climate crisis.
In a 12-page manifesto, entitled Managing Europe’s Land for the Future, the ELO reiterated its role as ‘ambassadors for rural entrepreneurs in Europe’, adding that political commitment to property rights has a ‘direct impact’ on economic growth, which in turn bolsters environmental efforts.
Climate challenge
The group called on the bloc to face up to the challenge of climate change, supporting the EU’s aim of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.
‘Focusing on replacing fossil fuels and substituting carbon intensive materials is the best way to decarbonise the economy,’ it said. ‘This means focusing on the products that are renewable, processes that are more circular, thus promoting a sustainable bioeconomy.’
The Brussels-based group noted that EU farmers and landowners face a myriad of challenges as a result of climate change and geopolitical uncertainties, which in tun lead to ‘sub-optimal’ investments in agriculture.
The organisation is committed to ‘keeping pace’ with the latest developments in agri technology and innovation, adding that ‘our vision is to advance sustainable farming practices, ensuring a resilient and competitive agricultural sector for the future’.
Biodiversity initiatives
When it comes to biodiversity, meanwhile, the ELO is calling on the European Union to focus on incentives that help foster nature restoration and other linked initiatives, adding that ‘private landowners must be at the core of political decisions & subsequent actions for protecting the environment.’.
Other areas in which the ELO is urging the EU to take action include implementation of the regulation on new breeding techniques, the promotion of initiatives on soil health and water health, improvements in the area of and efforts to ensure a strong Common Agricultural Policy.
The European elections take place from 6 to 9 June. Read the European Landowners’ Organization’s full manifesto here.
