Lobbying by One Planet Business for Biodiversity

One Planet Business for Biodiversity

OP2B

OP2B is an action-oriented business coalition for the protection and restoration of biodiversity.

Links

ID: 254508647685-28

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Gijs Schilthuis (Director Agriculture and Rural Development) and Nestlé S.A. and

18 Mar 2025 · Exchange of views on the Vision for EU agriculture; discussion on the role of regenerative agriculture, benchmarking, public-private actions and access to finance in the context of transition

Meeting with Christophe Hansen (Commissioner) and

Response to Soil Health Law – protecting, sustainably managing and restoring EU soils

2 Nov 2023

(See full feedback attached) One Planet Business for Biodiversity (OP2B) calls on Members of the European Parliament to: 1. Include regenerative agriculture in the list of sustainable soil management principles (Annex III) Regenerative agriculture is completely aligned with the practices and indicators recommended by the Commissions proposal in all respects. Related to agroecological evidence and principles, regenerative agriculture is a holistic, outcome-based farming approach that generates agricultural products while measurably having net-positive impacts at farm and landscape level on soil health, biodiversity, climate, water resources, and farming livelihoods. It aims to simultaneously promote: above- and below-ground carbon sequestration, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity protection and enhancement in and around farms, improved water retention in soil, reduced pesticide risk, improved nutrient use efficiency, and improved farming livelihoods. The principles and positive outcomes of regenerative agriculture are supported by scientific evidence, whereas a growing number of reports show the robustness of the economic model provided to farmers. Several farming practices that promote regenerative outcomes such as cover crops, organic-based fertilizers, intercropping, minimum tillage, balanced and integrated nutrient management, or riparian buffers have long proven their benefits to soil health. By adopting regenerative practices, farms can enhance resilience, reduce costs, boost profitability, ensure local and regional food security, and promote benefits to climate and nature. Many large agricultural companies in Europe have set targets for sourcing from regenerative agriculture value chains. In this context, OP2B members are pleased to highlight that most of the recommended holistic approaches to soil health, agricultural practices and indicators suggested by the Commission are perfectly aligned with those practiced in regenerative agriculture. Therefore, OP2B members call for regenerative agriculture to be explicitly recognized in the Soil Monitoring Law. 2. Provide additional funding to incentivize result-based subsidy schemes OP2B calls for additional funding aimed at rewarding the promotion net-positive results on the soil health indicators listed in the Commissions proposal. Considering the benefits for soil health provided by regenerative agriculture, the mobilization of financial resources should be backed, at least partly, through repurposing environmentally harmful subsidies currently in place within Member States. As highlighted in FoodDrinkEuropes letter to the EU institutions, it is of crucial importance that the EU invests and creates the right market conditions for the agri-food sector to become more sustainable and more competitive . The burden of the transition cannot be shouldered by farmers alone they need support in reducing the risks associated with their transition. Acknowledging that all actors of the value chain have their part to play, OP2B also calls for strengthening European public-private partnerships to best mobilize the private sectors financing potential. 3. Harmonize frameworks across Member States Only a coordinated effort across all member states will make it possible to achieve the EUs Green Deal goals and sustainably protect soil health. A level playing field within Europe is not only crucial for equitable competition among businesses but also instrumental in accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture, which is essential for nurturing and revitalizing our soil ecosystems. The coalition encourages policymakers to propose stronger guidance on the implementation of the framework. By doing so, they can set out the path for a harmonized and coordinated scaling up of sustainable agriculture practices across all European countries. This harmonization is vital to ensure that businesses across the continent can compete on an even footing.

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Meeting with Clara Aguilera (Member of the European Parliament) and FoodDrinkEurope

21 Sept 2023 · Sustainable Agriculture

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (Executive Vice-President) and Stichting Food Collective

7 Feb 2023 · Sustainable food systems and regenerative agriculture