Frans Timmermans. Photo: De Telegraaf
During a press conference on new green plans, European Commissioner Frans Timmermans expressed his condolences to the relatives of the 51-year-old woman who died during storm Poly. “It all has to do with climate change,” says the EU heavyweight. “If we want examples, we only have to look outside.”
The woman died in Haarlem after a tree fell on her car. Timmermans previously suggested creating a special memorial day for ‘climate victims’.
The prominent PvdA launched proposals on Wednesday for new European rules in the field of textile waste, soil pollution and food waste. In addition, the Dutch European Commissioner wants to relax rules for genetic modification of crops. These techniques can help to make plants resistant to climate change and pests.
There is increasing resistance to new green plans from Brussels. The French president and Belgian prime minister previously called for the ‘pause button’ to be pressed. Brussels does not seem deaf to the resistance. The proposed soil law has been significantly watered down compared to previous draft laws. VVD MEP Jan Huitema thinks there is a link with all the criticism of the controversial Nature Restoration Act. The liberal applauds the relaxations: “Every soil is different. It is therefore crucial that there is enough room for national and local interpretation when it comes to soil management.”