b'BIODIVERSITY chemical-synthetic plant protectionAn integration into the Ministry of the Within the framework of the Convention onproducts (biologicals, low risks, plantEnvironment would not have done jus-Biological Diversity (CBD), the new federalstrengthening agents, physical, biologi- tice to the importance of the agriculture government will work in the spirit of thecal, cultivation methods, robotics, drones,sector. European Biodiversity Strategy to achievedigitalisation, forecasting models, etc.) 30 per cent protected areas and to protectand improvement of the associated pro- COMMITMENT TO INNOVATIONthem. Nationally, the National Biodiversitycesses. The coalition agreement commits to an Strategy (NBS) action plans, concrete tar-Breeding climate robust plant vari- innovation-stimulating strategy, which gets and measures will be further devel- eties should be supported. To this end,is positive. It is recognized that strength-oped and anchored in a binding mannerthe framework conditions for populationening sustainability and ecology must go with scientific monitoring fortified.varieties should also be improved. Modelhand-in-hand with an efficient economy European nature conservation lawprojects such as crowd-breeding andcharacterised by small and medium-sized is implemented one-to-one. Contractualdigitalisation are also to be promoted.enterprises. However, it would have been nature conservation will be significantlyFurthermore, transparency on breedingdesirable for the coalition agreement to increased to encourage nature conser- methods is to be created and risk andcontain more statements on plant breeding. vation measures above legal minimumdetection research boosted.standards. This is to include opportu- The current architecture of the nities for regional leeway and flexibleEuropean agricultural policy is to be solutions (such as the Dutch strategy)reviewed by the middle of the legisla-will be created. The coalition will advo- tive period at the latest and adapted to cate consistent insect protection, signifi- achieve the objectives. IT WOULD HAVEcantly reduce the use of plant protection products and promote the developmentNUTRITION AND RENEWEABLEBEEN DESIRABLE of natural- and environmental-friendlyENERGIESalternatives. A new nutrition strategy is to be adoptedFOR THE GERMAN by 2023. One element is that the new gov- COALITION AGREEMENT CLIMATE PROTECTION ernment wants to strengthen plant-based The new federal government wants to con- alternatives and advocate for the approvalTO CONTAIN MORE sistently develop the Climate Protectionof innovations such as alternative proteinSTATEMENTS ONAct before the end of 2022 and launch ansources and meat substitutes in the EU. PLANT BREEDING.immediate climate protection programmeAccording to the coalition, renew-with all the necessary laws, ordinances,able energies are in the public interest and measures. Climate protection willand serve the security of supply. In be made by cross-cutting tasks by theweighing up the interests to be pro-respective ministry in charge of examin- tected, the coalition advocates giving ing its draft laws for their climate impactpriority to renewable energies for a lim-and compatibility with the national climateited period of time until climate neutral-protection goals and providing a corre- ity is achieved. Legal certainty in speciesWe see this, above all, against sponding justification (climate check). Allprotection law is to be created, amongthe background of the report of the sectors will have to contribute transport,other things through the application of aCommission on the Future of Agriculture construction and housing, power genera- uniform nationwide assessment method(ZKL) appointed by the previous federal tion, industry and agriculture. in the assessment of species protectiongovernment, which repeatedly empha-in wind energy projects. sises the central importance of plant AGRICULTURE AND FOOD breeding. Nevertheless, it is clear that The area of agriculture and food occupies aFOCUS ON EU breeding is system-immanent for the small part of the coalition agreement withThe new federal government is clearlydesired and rapidly implemented trans-only five pages. Species extinction and thecommitted to the European Union. It seesformation process of our economic system loss of biodiversity are considered anothera democratically stronger, more capableand agriculture in Germany. The signals ecological crisis. The use of plant protec- and strategically more sovereign Europeanon future research funding for breeding tion products is to be limited to just whatUnion as the basis for our peace, prosper- research (e.g., in data science) indicate is necessary. This will be achieved withity and freedom. Within this framework,a progressive perspective and encourage the following measures: the issues of climate change, digitalisa- us in the BDP to establish contacts withOrganic farming is to reach 30 pertion and the preservation of democracythe new government and to actively for-cent by 2030. are to be tackled. Such an EU remainsmulate our expectations for the currentIntegrated plant protection is to becommitted to a multilateral and rule- legislative periodsupplemented, and research and promo- based world order and is oriented towards tion are to be supported. the United Nations SDGs. EditorsNote:Dr.Carl-StephanThe authorization of plant protec- From our point of view, it is anSchfer is Executive Director and tion products must be transparent andimportant signal that the autonomy ofUlrike Amoruso-Eickhorn is Head of legally secure, based on scientific criteria. the Ministry of Agriculture in combina- Communication and Strategy at theEstablishment of alternatives totion with the food sector is maintained.German Seed Association BDP.EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 9'