DWARSe Amendment proposals European Programme GroenLinks

The GroenLinks programme is online, and DWARS wouldn't be DWARS if we had nothing to say about it. Are you curious what? You can read about it here! Would you like to co-sign for the amendment proposals on behalf of DWARS? At the bottom of the page you will find a form to sign our amendment proposals. Together, we will ensure that the proposals are submitted by far more than the required 25 people! You can indicate that you want to co-submit until 5 January 18.00. Would you like to read through the programme before reading our improvements? You can do so here.

Page 36: men's quota

Original text
14. [Emancipation at the top] EU institutions ensure proportional representation of women and minorities in top European positions.

Add
by setting a maximum quota of men.

Notes
Comment - (A better gender ratio has been on the agenda for years, but change has been too slow. If we really want better representation of women and minorities at the top, we should put a cap on men).

Page 42 – Vstatement on minimum price of CO2 allowances

Original text
7. [Minimum price] A minimum price shall be introduced in the emissions trading system. If allowances to be auctioned fall below this minimum price, those allowances shall be cancelled.

Add (between 'emmission trading system.' and 'If')
This minimum amount is based on the cost of removing the same amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere so that at least adaptation and mitigation costs can be met with it.

Notes
To discourage CO2 emissions, we need to put a price on them. This price is not out of the blue, but based on actual (future) costs. If the costs of mitigation or adaptation turn out not to be great, the price can still be artificially increased.

Page 45 - European rail network

Original text
1. [European train connections] The EU promotes good cross-border public transport, especially by train.
The distance within which trains are a good means of transport should be increased. For medium distances, a fast network between metropolises is being created. For long distances, the night train makes a comeback and the European network of night trains is further expanded. Barriers to international travel will be removed through better cooperation between national train providers. Connections between border regions are improved. Only where necessary will new connections be built in the network.

Replaced by (first sentence only)
1. [European Train Network] The EU should take responsibility for a European High Speed Train Network.

Notes
'Encourages' is too weakly worded as far as we are concerned and keeps vague what our expectations might be. Europe should be better connected and fewer people should choose to fly on short journeys. The EU should take an active role in this and plan where connections should be improved. The word 'stimulates' suggests a somewhat wait-and-see attitude, while we would like to see a proactive attitude from the EU.

Page 51 - Genetic modification

Original text
12. [Genetic modification] The EU aims for an agriculture free of transgenetic modification. Cisgenetically modified crops are strictly controlled. The EU supports GM-free production chains. The labelling requirement for already authorised gene food is extended to products from animals fed with gene feed. Suppliers of GM products become fully liable for (environmental) damage, e.g. contamination by other farmers' crops.

Replaced by
Genetically modified crops offer opportunities for sustainable, nature-inclusive, efficient and low-risk agriculture. However, crops must be tested for safety for humans and the environment. The concentration of power in large biotech companies will be countered by reviewing the regulation of patents. The labelling requirement for already authorised GM crops will be extended to products from animals fed on these crops.

Notes
Dangers to sustainable agriculture are toxic pesticides, monocultures, too much/little (artificial) manure, climate change and monopolies. Not GMOs. Every product, GMO or not, should be tested against health requirements and risks to environment. There is scientific consensus that GMOs pose no particular danger to human health. Rather, we regulate patents and ban poisons.

Page 60 - chargers

Original text
7. [Chargers] Chargers for smartphones, tablets and laptops need a uniform, mandatory European standard so that a new charger is not needed for every new product.

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and fewer chargers are produced and thrown away.

Notes
Raw materials are the primary reason for wanting to implement a standard, ease of use is important but not the only reason we want a standard.

Page 65 - sex workers

Original text
7. [Roma] The European Commission is more rigorous in ensuring that member states effectively implement their Roma and Sinti integration strategies. The European Commission is working to end discrimination against Roma and Sinti.

Add (new item)
8. [Sex workers] Sex workers should be able to carry out their work safely and healthily. The EU promotes initiatives that empower sex workers and develops new policies in good consultation with sex workers themselves, with health and proper access to care being paramount.

Notes
There is nothing about sex workers in the programme, despite the fact that they often face discriminatory and exclusionary practices. Given sex work is banned in many member states, there are few rights we can stand up for, but access to care we should at least stand for!

Page 78 - European army?

Original text:
15. [Specialisation of armies] Extensive cooperation and specialisation increases the efficiency and deployability of EU countries' armies. Specialisation of armies of EU Member States is possible through intensive and more integrated regional cooperation. This will lead to further cost savings and innovation. NATO should not be an obstacle to European military integration. Member states remain free to decide how much to contribute to NATO.

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The long-term aim is to create an efficient and deployable European army.

Notes
If we really aim for efficiency and deployability, maintaining national armies is not the right route in the long run. Rather, we organise defence at the European level and join forces. Foreign and Security Policy is currently outside the power of the European Parliament, but would eventually become European for this purpose. We aspire to a Europe with open borders and that means that we must be able to jointly defend our external borders in times of conflict and want to act more forcefully together in crisis in other regions.

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