Methane: MEPs ask European Commission about methane emissions in agriculture, especially livestock farming

Brussels, September 3, 2023 - Several MEPs, including Francisco Guerreiro, have questioned the European Commission about methane emissions in agriculture, particularly in livestock farming.

Read the question below:

Subject: Methane emissions in agriculture, particularly in livestock farming

According to scientific research, methane can have the greatest impact on climate change and is a more dangerous gas for the environment than carbon dioxide. In 2021, the EU signed the Global Methane Commitment to reduce methane emissions by 30% compared to 2020 levels by 2030. In addition, the Commission proposed a regulation on reducing methane emissions in the energy sector, which Parliament voted on in May 2023. The regulation's explanatory memorandum states that fossil fuels are responsible for only 25 to 33 % of anthropogenic methane emissions, while agriculture accounts for up to 50 % of emissions.

Scientists and NGOs have proposed measures to transform agriculture. One such solution is the Plant Based Treaty, which proposes a transition from animal-based to plant-based food systems.

1. Can the Commission state whether it considers, given the scale of methane emissions from agriculture, that the measures in the agricultural sector set out in the explanatory memorandum are sufficient to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030?

2. Does the Commission intend to propose additional measures for agriculture to achieve this objective and, if so, when does it intend to present this proposal and what measures are involved?

3. Given that the Commission has access to scientific knowledge on the sources of methane emissions and their effects, does it intend to use the expert recommendations contained in the Plant Based Treaty?

Read the Commission's response below:

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