Daniele POLATO

Policy topics Daniele POLATO is active on

What Daniele POLATO has said (22)

• 2026-06-15 “Preservare Lunita. Preservare Preserving your Atlantic unity and boosting coordination the coordination between Europe and The US is essential. It's not easy, but it's something we have to do in supporting these agreements moves in that direction. These are complex agreements. They're not perfect, but they're a good starting point. They're a signal that we can send out to give certainty to businesses on trade flows. There are people who criticize and judge these agreements, but let's not forget that things can be modified. We, as the ECR, are always open to dialogue, let's remember that this these agreements aren't an end in themselves. They're a start. They're something that we can base ourselves on. And during the coming months, we will have more spaces where we can negotiate. Now the Italian government has clearly said stood up and said that what it doesn't agree with, tariffs, Greenland, Iran, and, we will continue to do that. Those who want stability need to support these businesses, and we will continue to work hard in favor of our businesses. Thank you.”
  EU-US trade relations
• 2026-01-14 “Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission 23.3.2026 Written question On 29 January 2026 the Commission received an official communication from the Tunisian authorities requesting a revision of the Protocol on agriculture of the Association Agreement with Tunisia. However, the Commission does not envisage additional trade concessions for agricultural products originating in Tunisia including olive oil. The Commission recognises the importance of a high level of protection of human health and the environment in the Vision for Agriculture and Food [1] . Food imported from third countries and food produced in the EU must comply with very strict sanitary requirements. The Commission committed to a stronger alignment of production standards applied to imported products and a strengthening of import controls [2] . The Commission launched an impact assessment [3] with a view to strengthening alignment of the EU's production standards on most hazardous pesticides with requirements applicable to imported products. The origin of extra virgin and virgin olive oils must be labelled pursuant to Article 8 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2104 [4] . In particular, for such oils it is mandatory to inform consumers if the product comes from one of the Member States or from a third country, or if it is a mix of EU and non-EU oils. The inward processing regime does not affect this mandatory labelling. [1] https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/overview-vision-agriculture-food/vision-agriculture-and-food_en. [2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_2979. [3] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/mex_25_2809. [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R2104&qid=1769620624009.”
  EU policy on custom fee on non-EU imports · Import of agri-food products in the EU
• 2025-11-06 “E-004386/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of the potential impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on the costs of imported nitrogen-based fertilisers by the agricultural sector, where fertiliser costs represent around 9% of the total costs of production. To account for the specific challenges facing the agricultural sector, including high prices and substantial import dependency, the Commission adopted a differentiated treatment to fertilisers in the setting of default values. Compared to other CBAM sectors, the mark-up for default values required by the CBAM Regulation was set at a much lower level (1%) for fertilisers and without increase over time. This will significantly mitigate the price impact of CBAM on imported fertilisers. In its legislative proposal amending the CBAM Regulation, the Commission has also included a measure 1 that, if adopted by the co-legislators, would allow for the temporary suspension of the application of CBAM for specific goods, as a safeguard in case of unforeseen circumstances. In addition, the Commission will temporarily suspend the remaining Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariffs on ammonia, urea and, where needed, certain other fertilisers, with a view to further reducing the impact of CBAM. Furthermore, in the first half of 2026 the Commission will propose an action plan for fertilisers 2 . Following the November 2022 Communication 3 on availability and affordability of fertilisers, the Commission is also monitoring the availability and affordability of fertilisers in the EU through the Fertilisers Market Observatory and is ready to examine other mitigating and flanking measures if necessary. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025PC0989. 2 RESourceEU Action Plan- COM(2025) 945 final: https://single-marketeconomy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/01c448d6-dc93-40d7-9afe-4c2af448d00c_en. 3 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Ensuring availability and affordability of fertilisers, COM/2022/590 final/2.”
  Use of fertilisers
• 2024-11-14 “P-002533/2024 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission 1 and 3. The Commission recalls that a case concerning certain measures adopted by Austria in relation to the Brenner corridor is currently pending before the Court of Justice (Case C524/24, Italy / Austria). The Commission asked for leave to intervene in that case and will continue to monitor the overall situation. 2. Ensuring the safety of the road infrastructure is an absolute priority and the Commission fully understands the need to carry out structural works on the Lueg bridge. The Commission has drawn the attention of the Austrian authorities to the European dimension of the corridor which links Italy to Northern and Central Europe. The Commission highlighted the importance that road traffic measures remain proportionate, be as little disruptive as possible, are coordinated with neighbouring countries in existing platforms such as the Brenner Corridor Platform 1 and are taken after adequate consultation of the stakeholders concerned. 1 https://www.bcplatform.eu/corridorstudies/”
  Road transport environmental policy
• 2024-08-27 “E-001561/2024 Answer given by Mr Wojciechowski on behalf of the European Commission 1. Several measures are supported by the EU to improve coexistence with large carnivores, including through the CAP Strategic Plans (CSP) funded by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as well as by the LIFE programme 1 . Within the CAP Strategic Plans (CSP), support schemes are designed by the Member States and approved by the Commission. These may include activities or investments such as the installation of various types of fences or acquisition of livestock guarding dogs and also including shepherding costs under some interventions. In the Italian CSP, four regions have included some of these elements (Calabria, Liguria, Piedmont and Tuscany). 2. In December 2023, the Commission published a comprehensive study on the wolf in the EU 2 , that also addressed the specific issues mentioned by the Honourable Member 3 . Under the current EU legislation in force 4 , national authorities have already the necessary tools to take appropriate preventive and reactive measures to address conflicts, problems, and any public safety situation related to protected wildlife species. Furthermore, on 20 December 2023, the Commission proposed a Council decision to change the wolf's protection status under the Bern Convention 5 , to which the EU and its Member States are parties. Following its adoption by the Council, the Commission has submitted the proposal to the secretary of the Bern Convention. The proposal is meant to create additional flexibility for the Parties to the Bern Convention to decide on the most appropriate management measures. 3. Damage compensation payments of up to 100% of direct and indirect costs of damages caused by protected species can be granted by the Member State within the framework of the EU State Aid rules. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/programme-environmentand-climate-action-life_en 2 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/5d017e4e-9efc-11ee-b164-01aa75ed71a1/language-en 3 See paragraphs 3.5 and 4.7 of the study for the aspects related to public safety and to the management of so called ‘bold wolves’. 4 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. 5 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6752”
  GMOs · Energy (green transition)
• “We need to protect these sectors. Steel is a major problem, not only because it's been the target of Chinese practices for many years, but also because it's something we're looking at in a trilogue on overcapacity. We're facing a fork in the road. We're going to continue as normal. We're going to change path. And we think as the ECR, we should change paths. As we heard from the commissioners. And this means we should listen to companies and entrepreneurs, not to ideology. We need to understand where we want to go as Europe. We as a Parliament, we are ready. We want to. We expect openness and confrontation, pragmatism from the Council and the Commission. Colleagues, let's be honest and ask ourselves, how can it be that over all these years, nobody thought of using the anti-corruption instrument against China, which would have been justified, while suddenly, in a very short period, the US could be the target of this same instrument. So we're seeing this approach. But until Europe abandons ideology and approaches changes in trade and consistent fashion, we will never be forceful around the negotiating table. Thank you.”
  Trade relations with China
• “Thank you very much. Thank you. President. Minister. Commissioner. Colleagues. Protectionism on the part of the United States is nothing new. From the 1970s onwards, only Presidents Bush and Clinton were were did not impose new tariffs. It seems that there's a kind of hypocrisy here that Biden imposed tariffs that hit Italian agriculture and food exports. It was Biden, not Trump, that introduced tariffs of up to 41.66% on Italian aluminium producers. It was Biden and not Trump. The 102.5% on Chinese electric cars. How can we remain united as the European Union, defending our interests and our companies? We need to avoid a trade war with the United States, and we need to negotiate with the Trump administration. Our problem is not Washington, which rightly is pursuing its own interests. What we should be more worried about is the economic crisis in Germany, where crazy choices by the Greens and the socialists have led to disaster. What about the doubling Bullying in French imports of Russian gas, and same the case in Belgium and Spain. We've arrived at a huge number of tons of Russian gas. So we talk about the ambitions of the Green Deal moving away from fossil fuels. But instead we're increasing the profits of Russia despite all of the sanctions that we're trying to impose. So if we want to be players in this new era of trade relations, we need to completely change our approach.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you. President. In this hemicycle, when it comes to the United States, we've got different opinions. We are aware of that. On the one hand, there is ideology, there are controversies, there's criticism, and there's anti-Americanism. That's from the 1970s. On the other hand, you've got us who want to work on what unites us more than what divides us. And we have to give out a message that's a sign of commitment that will give certainty to our companies and workers. Yes. Have your ideology, your controversies and criticisms. We've already seen that. We saw that with the Green Deal, and it doesn't get us anywhere. It doesn't consolidate relationships and it doesn't boost development. We want the vote on these agreements to be a sign that we're starting over. We want to have a new phase of our relationship with the United States, who are still a key partner for trade and security in Europe. Over the next few months after this vote, there will be time to review things, including during the negotiations and look at the most critical parts of the agreements, but anyone who wants to instrumentalize this vote or slow it down. While they need to remember that companies don't have time to lose, especially at this very delicate phase that we're going through. We need certainty and stability. That is the way we want to go. That is what companies and workers are asking of us. That is the right choice for Europe. Thank you.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “(17:45:59 – 17:47:46): Thank you, president Collins. We support the agreement on steel, but we must say that it's not courageous enough in its approach. We are looking at products which are linked to steel as well and the workers involved. The market doesn't expect increased bureaucracy. I think that we're not responding properly to industrial requirements. We have to look at who is producing and investing and who is working. It's important that we include other products before we come to the end of this year with no ambiguity. We are seeing the difficulties of the steel industry, and it's been 10 years since we were talking about it in this way. We're seeing that there has been unfair competition in the market and products have come in at very low cost. This is not justified. People are paying a price. The industry is paying a price. The workers are paying a price, and so are the companies. But without steel, there is no industry. And without industry, there's no strategic autonomy. Without strategic autonomy, Europe is going to be dependent, fragile, and less competitive. We need fewer words and more facts. We need to support the European steel industry, and we need to do this prognostically. I think we need less ideology. My next speaker on behalf of the Renew Group is, mister, Messi Voigtstrat. Merci.”
  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
• “Thank you, thank you president. The fact that China is resorting to unfair trade practices is nothing new. Neither is the fact that these restrictions are coming at a very delicate point in time for our economy. The fact that it's our duty to react in a consistent manner to defend a genuine free market is now unavoidable. But this begs the question how do we end up here? Following ideological visions, we've dismantled entire manufacturing sectors, such as the automotive sector, for the sake of future promises, which today are proving to be an uncomfortable reality. We've allowed entire strategic sectors to be held hostage by their dependency on third countries for critical raw materials. Pointing the finger at China is not enough. We have to take the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations to reflect on the mistakes that we have committed in Europe over these years. It is time to change course. Our reaction has to stem from that which has made our economy great. The know how. Enterprise. Manufacturing. We need a new industrial impetus. We need a European minerals policy, which reduces our vulnerability. We need to put the real economy back, front and centre. These are the responses that citizens expect from this chamber. Thank you.”
  Trade relations with China
• “Thank you very much, chairman. Good morning everyone. Of course, I would in turn also like to thank you for this presentation. And I fully agree with what was said about the relations between people and markets. I think these trade, these free trade agreements are or rather, trade cooperation is of dubious usefulness, especially given the current situation. Of course, FTAs are useful, but given the current geopolitical conditions, they might not be the best possible instrument to achieve a European trade policy goals. They take a long time, even though they're wide ranging. We have complex negotiations. It takes years before specific results trickle down to government, citizens and businesses. No one says that these wide ranging agreements aren't important. I'm thinking of FTAs, and I'm not saying we're not in favor of negotiating them. But as your report shows, even in the previous Parliament, we were aware of the fact that we shouldn't close the door to other types of agreements, more pared down ones that that focus on specific sectors. Now then, maybe later in the long term, these could become more in depth agreements. But given the modern world we live in, I think it would give us added value to have different types of agreements to choose from in order to adapt to the situation at a specific point in time. We have a lot of question marks, however, as the chair said, on the issue of parliamentary scrutiny or oversight it when it comes to these new types of agreements, how can we make sure that there is accountability vis a vis citizens? And therefore, I would like to ask you this question how can we guarantee accountability? How can we harness these types of agreements in order to make sure that we have readmission of illegal immigrants?”
  Free trade agreements (FTAs)
• “Thank you chair. In an increasingly chaotic and insecure world, strengthening strategic alliances with Latin America must be a priority for the EU. We are convinced of this. The EU must continue negotiating new agreements that are able to offer opportunities for our companies and guarantee the provision of raw materials and energy required for our security and our competitiveness. Furthermore, we need to strengthen trade links with this part of the world also to balance the growing Chinese presence. Given that Beijing has become a main trade partner in Latin America. So, Commissioner, how does the EU Mercosur agreement facilitate European access to raw materials and energy sources. What forecasts have been made with regards to opportunities relating to the opening up of public procurement, specifically in Brazil? And how does this trade agreement? How will it be used to limit Chinese presence and promote the European so-called global gateway strategy?”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dear Minister, we've carefully listened to your presidency's priorities. Now, often we've been asking for a change of direction in industrial policies, as well as trade policies and relaunching of European competitiveness. We trust that we will see these results during your presidency. With this pragmatic spirit, I'd like to focus on a specific issue which was left over from the previous presidency, and that is the reform of the GSP. Now, as you said, completion of this reform is your basic legislative element for the Danish presidency. This dossier has been going on and open for four years now, the Parliament has been very active in proposing solutions to finish the trial. Trialogue. Excellent work was done by President Liang with the cooperation of very kind colleagues, uh, as well as MEP motto. If we can find an efficient situation of the safeguard clause for rice, we will be able to finish negotiations quickly. We in Parliament, we've suggested several solutions which unfortunately have fallen on deaf ears. A good completion of rice negotiations would be a good political signal to farmers who do not trust the negotiations, even in Mercosur. Uh, taking over the rice dossier would be a good sign for political farmers. We do hope negotiations will reopen so that under your presidency, you will be able to, uh, find solutions with the right sector with respect to foreign imports of low quality rice, which is actually hazardous to consumer health. Thank you. And good success.”
  Import of agri-food products in the EU
• “Thank you, chair. Now, of course, the starting point of this debate is that we want to relaunch European industry. This is a laudable ambition. What does an industry signify? Certainty, consistency, what do workers want? They want to avoid the mistakes made in the Green Deal. They want to see healthy pragmatism that will have European policy at its heart, and they want to avoid market distortions due to foreign players. We want to have a tool that will provide concrete support for European industries in difficulty. Increasingly, 20% quota of manufacturing on European territory is something that we can all share. But thinking we can pass a law without looking at our competitors is wrong. An example from steel, for example, that's something that's often discussed here. In Europe, we're at the vanguard here. We have excellent industry, and we export around the world. If we want to create the right message, low carbon made in Europe, it can't be what we talk about when we talk about steel. Low carbon based on reserves is what we need. It's good to work with third countries. We're not asking for protectionism, but 65% of steel imported is imported from countries that we have free trade agreements with. Steel produced in China or Serbia, is that going to be comparable with made in Europe steel? It's not as pure. It doesn't have the same standards. We want to ensure that any public contracts provide support for our industry. So with the work done in this Parliament, we want to ensure that we make an active contribution in this direction, and that's what the ECR will do in the negotiations.”
  "Buy European" provisions
• “Thank you chairman. The current context is leading to increasing complexity for international trade, and unfair conduct on the part of third countries is rife. Now, free trade is something that we wanted to see developed, but if there are no controls and safeguards in place, then our good faith openness will be used against us and against our productive capacity. So the EU is leading in competitiveness before the eyes of everyone. Now, setting up a task force on imports is an important step on the part of the EU to strengthen its capacity to monitor, study and react to unfair trade practices in a global market, which, as I said, is already characterized by strong instability and increasing number of member States. Industries are asking for greater protection and protection of industry is a fundamental importance, such as steel, renewable energy, the automotive sector and the textile sector. Now, the task force will give us real time monitoring of trade flows and a risk based assessment and an exchange of information or exchange of views between customs authorities, market surveillance authorities and the various commission DGS is something we welcome. But I just wanted to stress how important it is to have timely reactions and to therefore have good exchange of information between the European institutions and national authorities, too. Now, what kind of system procedures, protocols are you going to put in place to make sure that we can have updated, reliable and complete data that can be exchanged? And are you thinking about having a coordination system so that we have an agile structure that can allow us to react in a significant way? And are you going to also ask for information from the companies that are hit hardest because they're the first, of course, to suffer from unfair trade practices? Thank you.”
  EU policy on custom fee on non-EU imports
• “Thank you very much. Thank you, chair, and thank you for this study as well. It's very important and shows us something that is very clear to our SMEs and has been for a long time, and that's that. Some are playing according to the rules and others aren't. And this is a reality that we know that some people come out with fine words about free trade, but then distort in use unfair practices, dumping subsidies, social, environmental, trade union rights often non-existent. And for years, even though we've been aware of these practices, the European Union has closed its eyes to this and thought that the free market would overcome and would allow this market to go from protectionism to genuine openness. But this bet was lost, and we can see very clearly the results of this this persistent overcapacity or widespread capacity, as it says in the study, is a huge problem for our economy. It's clear that China and other countries are not going to change their attitudes, not in the short term at least. We heard the line from both commissioners Séjourné and Sefcovic a few months ago that we need to act. We need to act fast.”
  Trade relations with China
• “Thank you. President. Trade wars. There's no point in them. The US administration has actually suspended its tariffs. And that's a positive message. It's vital that we continue negotiations with the US as George Moloney suggested in Washington. Let's go back to the negotiating table and let's have a fair, constructive discussion to negotiate. We shouldn't be complaining about others. We need to look at how we work internally. We need to relaunch the European economy. For years we've abandoned and penalized strategic industries. The chemical industry, the steel industry, the automotive industry. We've lost dynamism. We've become less competitive on world markets. And this is something we did to ourselves. Without a competitive economy in recovery, we won't be strong around the negotiating table. We need agreements with new partners. We need to protect ourselves from unfair practices of third countries. We need to be concrete, pragmatic. We need to listen to our entrepreneurs. We need to hold our heads high without prejudices or ideology. Europe is moving in this direction.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you. Mister Chairman and thank you Celine for this great work that she's done previously and now on such an important issue. Just like yes last time I'm very pleased with this balanced approach on this. Jordan is in a very difficult economic situation but we have seen certain improvement. The economic challenges of the internal market, Jordan is of course based on a very fragile situation and of course there are risks of outside shocks like problems with Syria, Lebanon, problems with Palestine could really bring on greater difficulties for Jordan. These are not just political contributions but it's supporting a country which is key to the regional security which has been able to keep its balance despite all the complexities in their neighboring countries. If you consider all these social, economic and demographic factors and the environmental situation, all of this creates a very difficult climate. Therefore we need to support our friendly countries in that area like Jordan. Thank you for this initiative which we would like to support and give a rapid, strong and concrete clear message. This MFA, Jordan was voted on in our committee in plenary. We're very pleased and we need to proceed along these same lines. Thank you.”
  EU-Jordan relations
• “Thank you. President. The agreement with the US is a strong point to start off from from. It gives stability and clarity and that's what businesses want. Common declaration under points 9 to 12. Here the Commission undertakes to add flexibility to directives on things such as uh forestation, cyber, Bam and due diligence in the face of US companies. And that is something we've always been asking for in order to increase competitiveness in Europe. At the same time, uh, with the free trade agreement with the US, we need to to look at the details of standards that hold up the EU. We need to negotiate more quickly on those negotiations that haven't finished yet, such as the GSP, Mexico, Asean countries, Arab countries. We need to draw up cooperation agreements with them. And finally, I would like to thank Commissioner for having concluded the best possible agreement, given the circumstances, going for dialogue as opposed to trade wars. Thank you.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you. Chairman. Today's debate is decisive for the economic future of the EU. Steel is strategic for us and forces us to think through some fundamental issues. If we want to avoid industrial bloodletting and the loss of our producers, we must act effectively on the current safeguards and strengthen our commercial trade or trade defence instruments. We cannot compete with those countries who, despite grandiloquent statements, adopt unfair stances against our market economy approach. What is fundamentally important is we need urgent limits on exports, as applicable to many extra EU countries. We must ensure that things are in line with the circular economy, but we have to ensure that steel is and remains European production. For that, we must guarantee that we don't lose indispensable assets for our strategic autonomy. We are ready to support any initiative on this to support that industry. Thank you.”
  Trade relations with China
• “I'd like to thank you very much. For this exchange of opinions on the issue of trade and agriculture. Um, it's very important to have this type of discussion on the capacity of European production and the added value for our exports. Uh, there are many topics which one can touch upon, but there's one specific sector I'd like to mention, which is very important for European agriculture, particularly in Italy, Spain, France and Greece. That's rice. Now, according to a study, um, according to what we see in the JRC, the consequences of FTAs and negotiations going on with India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, and right now with Mercosur, Mexico, Chile and New Zealand are the consequences for the agriculture sector. For rice in particular will be very important, According to the study, agro alimentary imports will increase by 2.7% in the years to come. That's 3.1 billion in euro. That's the conservative conservative estimate. And and the increase will be to 3.6%. That would be €4.1 billion. That's the ambitious estimate. And of course imports will be heavily affected by what's going on with Mercosur right now. This is extremely important for sectors like meat, sugar and rice as well. And our import these imports have a very, very serious consequences for our production as well. And for the prices in the European Union there has been social turbulence, turbulence which has resulted from the policies up until now, and the quality and amount of production has dropped as well. So I think indeed when we look at Competition with third countries. We have to look at volume and the consequences on prices as well. Now, what sort of instruments do we have at our disposal in order to make sure that things go in the right direction? Well, we have a suitable to protect regulation in place. But will this be enough to make sure that the rice market is not seriously affected? Um, this is one of the major topics which will be covered in the GSP negotiations. Negotiations which are to come in the nearest future with the commission. Thank you.”
  Import of agri-food products in the EU
• “Thank you very much, chairman, and thank you to the Commissioner on behalf of the ECR Group for being here. Given the importance of the Mercosur agreement, it is important that we provide the greatest degree of transparency to citizens and businesses. We are particularly interested in the Mercosur agreement. But we think that given the outcome of the negotiations, we have not really got the fundamental aspects necessary to adopt the agreement. We need to take into account the interests of the agricultural sector from 2019 to date, mainly because of green ideologies and some mistakes made by the European Union. The situation facing the agricultural sector is getting worse and they are facing great difficulties in return for openness in third countries. We've asked this sector to compete with countries that do not respect our own rules. It is therefore probable or very likely that we will see adverse effects in terms of unfair competition, production costs and differences of standards. So this is why I think we need to listen to the agricultural sector and make sure that we have greater checks and safeguards if imbalances occur. Commissioner, given that the chapters on agricultural products, which were concluded in 2019 have not been modified, given that you think that they are acceptable, are you thinking about other initiatives which would help the agricultural sector, and what further initiatives could be adopted in order to ensure the highest degree of reciprocity possible when it comes to health and production standards? Thank you. Chair.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur