ECR MEP Zbigniew Kuzmiuk’s Opinion pertaining to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has been adopted by the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee (AGRI).
The Opinion voices firm support for the introduction of the new mechanism, but also expresses some concerns of Committee members’ surrounding the potential consequences of its implementation.
“I am very pleased with the outcome of the vote on the AGRI opinion on the CBAM,” said MEP Kuzmiuk. “The mechanism could be a useful tool for the EU to help reduce CO2 emissions globally. It has the potential to stop EU markets being flooded with cheaper imported products, often produced to the detriment of the environment and without any financial consequences similar to those imposed on the EU’s producers.”
The Opinion also outlines a number of concerns, including the unforeseeable impact of the mechanism on EU markets, including SMEs and farming. “Most political groups shared my concerns and called on the Commission to step up monitoring and reporting to the Parliament and Council on the implementation of the mechanism and its impact on the markets,” said the Polish MEP. “There was also broad support for amendments oriented towards a future expansion of the CBAM to agricultural products.”
The adopted text will now be passed on to the Environment Committee (ENVI) – the leading committee for matters concerning the CBAM – where members will go on to decide which parts of the opinion will make it into the final parliamentary report.
“Considering the very broad support for the Opinion, I hope that the voice of the Agriculture Committee will be duly taken on board,” MEP Kuzmiuk concluded.
