European horticulturists put their demands on the table ahead of the next community elections

The Committee of Agricultural Professional Organizations-General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (COPA-COGECA) , the largest and most influential agricultural entity in the sector in Europe representing 22 million farmers, 22,000 cooperatives and 66 organizations, presented last week in Parliament European the demands of the ornamental sector before the European elections are held in June.

The entity wanted to present its list of demands at an event hosted by Camilla Laureti , MEP of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats and member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, and Tom Vandenkendelaere , on behalf of the Party Group. European People's Party (Christian Democrats). The event was attended by 12 other MEPs, as well as the president of ENA , Henk Raaijmakers , and the vice president of the same entity, Tim Van Hulle . Sylvie Mamias ( Union Fleurs ) gave a presentation on the floriculture sector, and Josep Maria Pagès , secretary general of ENA, gave a brief overview of the ornamental horticulture sector.

At the meeting, the manifesto “Empowering Europe's Green Agenda: the strategic role of Flowers and Plants” was presented and delivered to the MEPs, which defends the benefits that the sector can contribute to the green agenda promoted by the European Union, as well as a series of measures, which professionals consider should be promoted by the States of the Union. A sector that is valued at 9.4 billion euros, with more than 33,000 companies operating on 55,600 hectares. The value of the production of the European nursery industry alone is around 7,000 million euros, with more than 26,000 companies.

The manifesto highlights that “EU flower and plant producers play a fundamental role in the European transformation to turn cities into green and liveable environments. The immense diversity of plants, flowers, and trees are a heritage of biodiversity and without a doubt a vital element for the realization of the European Green Deal." The sector defends its contribution to pollinators, the cooling of urban areas, carbon sequestration, the prevention of soil erosion or the promotion of biology for pest control .

It also defends its benefits for physical and mental health that numerous studies have shown or how it is a key product in our human and cultural relationships in which we celebrate good times with flowers and plants.

"If plants are an answer to the challenges facing the EU, the care our producers give them must be up to the challenge"

But for all this to be possible, the manifesto points out that "if plants are a response to the challenges facing the EU, the care our producers give them must be up to the challenge."

For example, COPA-COGECA calls for the EU's green agenda to guarantee water supply and promote innovative techniques for efficient irrigation, water storage and reuse of wastewater in flowers and plants.

Likewise, they point out that “producers are eager to accelerate the energy transition.” To enable them to switch to green energy,” the EU will need to “prioritize the expansion of electricity and sustainable energy infrastructure ” and facilitate “access to affordable, renewable energy.”

Another point of the manifesto argues that “producers are moving from conventional plant protection to a more ecological one and the use of micro- and macro-organisms (such as natural predators), which is why they request that the EU facilitate “this transition by placing more effective solutions, biological and low-risk active substances, biocontrol and precision techniques in the market".

In addition, they highlight the obstacles to the purchase of machinery and equipment, always dependent on bank financing, and ask for “solid insurance against climate and industry-specific risks,” while recalling how the invasion of Ukraine has triggered the increase in inputs necessary for the production of flowers and plants and the energy supply.