Plenary focus - January 2019

Each year, about 400.000 tonnes of pesticides are sold and used in the EU. Such an extreme amount is utterly horrendous. As is the fact that many of these pesticides have not been evaluated thoroughly for their safety. The current overuse of pesticides is a threat to our food safety, to our health, to the health of animals, and to the environment. The recommendations of the PEST committee - to increase the independence and transparency of EU’s pesticide approvals - are therefore an important step towards achieving a cleaner environment for us and for future generations.

Gender equality can and should be promoted at all levels, including fiscal policy. This report is an important step towards better alignment with the reality of fiscal policies and the promotion of a more equitable distribution of income, wealth, opportunities, productive assets and services. That is, true equality

Six trade unionists and human rights activists have already been murdered in Colombia this year. The sad record of political killings from 2018 will continue. The Colombian government has not kept its promises to improve the security situation; a condition to obtain the approval of the European Parliament for this trade agreement. The agreement has led to a reversal of the trade balance in favor of the EU and an increased dependence on mining companies and large agricultural producers for export. In addition, the new government of Colombia is turning its back on the outcome of the peace process. In light of these facts, the Commission’s account and the Parliament’s report are way too uncritical. My group is calling for a suspension of the provisional application of the agreement until the human rights situation improves significantly. The EU must also intensify efforts to safeguard the peace process. In response to the current economic and social problems, negotiations must take place to amend the agreement with Colombia, Peru and now, Ecuador, in order to facilitate their sustainable development.