European Parliament 2014-2019 0051/2016 27.4.2016 WRITTEN DECLARATION submitted under Rule 136 of the Rules of Procedure on conservation agriculture Nicola Caputo (S&D), Clara Eugenia Aguilera García (S&D), Paolo De Castro (S&D), Daniel Buda (PPE), Marc Tarabella (S&D), Dubravka Šuica (PPE), Tibor Szanyi (S&D), Doru-Claudian Frunzulică (S&D), Ricardo Serrão Santos (S&D), Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE), Fabio De Masi (GUE/NGL), Maria Grapini (S&D), Jonás Fernández (S&D) Lapse date: 27.7.2016 DC\1092329EN.doc PE581.848v01-00 EN EN 0051/2016 Written declaration, under Rule 136 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, on conservation agriculture1 1. Agriculture is facing environmental and productivity challenges, such as soil protection, irrigation water savings and the optimal use of fertilisers and pesticides. 2. Conservation agriculture (CA) can lead to increased soil fertility and productivity, to a more efficient use of water, and to an improved ability to adapt to and mitigate climate change, as well as to a significant reduction in erosion, lower emissions of greenhouse gases and ammonia and the optimal use of agrochemicals. 3. The spread of CA is limited in the EU due to inadequate institutional support for minimising the risks involved during the transition from conventional agriculture, which may include a temporary decrease in yield and the cost of a no-till seeder. 4. The Commission is invited to prepare policy changes that would stimulate the widespread adoption of CA for sustainable soil and water conservation and production intensification, and to promote appropriate training for farmers in order to support the widespread adoption of CA. 5. This declaration, together with the names of the signatories, is forwarded to the Council and the Commission. 1 Under Rule 136(4) and (5) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, where a declaration is signed by a majority of Parliament’s component Members, it is published in the minutes with the names of its signatories and forwarded to the addressees, without however binding Parliament. PE581.848v01-00 2/2 DC\1092329EN.doc EN.