Ms Ursula von der Leyen Mr Frans Timmermans Ms Stella Kyriakides

We believe the contrary to be true: the crisis in Ukraine is yet another reminder of how essential it is to implement the Green Deal and its Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies. [...] More than ever, the EU must shift towards healthy, socially and environmentally friendly farming practices, such as agroecology, organic farming, and agroforestry, which provide the only path to ensuring long-term food security, food sovereignty, and the overall sustainability of the food systems. [...] Russia and Ukraine provide a large part of the global cereal market and the EU imports much of its oilseed meal, oil and seeds2 and fertilisers3 from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. [...] This calls for the Commission to support efforts aimed at securing the right to food and food sovereignty and, first and foremost, local food systems grounded in principles of agroecology and animal welfare, both in Europe and abroad. [...] The European Union must tackle the current challenges by accelerating the implementation of its strategies to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, to preserve its natural environment and the health of its citizens.