WEBINAR #4. AUGUST 5TH 15:00 – 16:45 CEST

Trade and Forests. The EU Green Deal and Deforestation, the EU approach with third countries exporters of agricultural products, the challenges for the Argentine public and private sectors, and the possibilities for a joint work.

In August 2019, the Communication entitled “Intensifying EU action to protect and restore the world’s forests” was presented by the European Commission (EC). The EC indicates that 80% of global deforestation is caused by the expansion of the land used for agriculture and focuses on the countries that supply certain products (food, feed, biofuels, wood and other basic products) to the EU. More specifically, imports from the European Union of products such as palm oil, meat, soybeans, cocoa, corn, wood, rubber, including in the form of processed products or services, are pointed out.

Argentina has a National Action Plan on Forests and Climate Change that is a public policy instrument that constitutes the national strategy for reducing emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD +) in Argentina. The plan was agreed upon with the ministries that make up the National Climate Change Cabinet (GNCC); and representatives of the academic sector, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, small producers, and indigenous peoples.

Also, there are other initiatives in Argentina like the “Programa Agroideal” in the soy sector, in which companies, NGOs, banks and research institutions have joined efforts to develop a free online territorial intelligence decision making support system. The system helps asses risks associated with the expansion of cropland areas, searching for regions of high economic benefit and productivity, coupled with a low socio-environmental impact.

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Robert Woodthorpe Browne MBE, Chair, The Paddy Ashdown Forum

Speakers:
Dørte Pardo López. Policy Officer International Forestry Policy of the Environmental Directorate General, European Commission.
Alexander Doring. Secretary-General of European Feed Manufacturer’s Federation (FEFAC).
Gustavo Idígoras. President of the Chamber of the oil industry of the Argentine Republic (CIARA-CEC) and member of GPS network.
Tomás Schlichter. Vice President of the National Institute of Agricultural Technology of Argentina Republic (INTA).

Closing Remarks

Horacio Sánchez Caballero, General Coordinator, GPS
Carola Ramón Berjano, Undersecretary of Multilateral and Bilateral Economic Negotiations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina Republic.

Moderator: Irina von Wiese, former Member of the European Parliament and Vice Chair, EP Human Rights Sub Committee