To Whom It May Concern:

This is a summary of conclusive questions and propositions from the seminar series entitled “The EU concerns us all” (“EU angår oss alla”) organized by the Green Library (a Swedish NGO) in Lund, Sweden. The project entailed five open gatherings throughout September 2005 where varying themes in relation to the aspect of sustainability in the proposed Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe (henceforth the proposed EU constitution) were discussed. On the 4^th of October 2005 we concluded the seminar series by gathering our questions and propositions, and have now collected them into the working document which you find before you.

During this seminar series there were a number of prominent individuals taking part in our discussions, including current Parliamentarians Ewa Hedkvist Petersen and Jan Andersson and civil servants and former Parliamentarians Olle Schmidt and Karl Erik Olsson. The themes in focus during the gatherings were agriculture, energy, the environment, traffic, and employment and social affairs. Although the initial concept of the project was to analyze how these themes in relation to sustainable development are covered in the proposed EU constitution, our focus adjusted due to the fact that the constitution is postponed for an indefinite period of time, creating a pause for reflection. Instead we refer our concerns to current situations as well as to the proposed EU constitution.

Concerning Agriculture:
In article III-227, part 1 (a) of the proposed EU constitution we propose two things: that the text be adjusted to include the ‘insurance of sustainable agricultural production’ (instead of “to increase agricultural productivity”) and that the “factors of production” include reference not only to labor but also to soils as a primary factor of production.

 We propose that the Common Agricultural Policy be updated to meet the sustainability goals of the EU today. The CAP functioned well as it was designed to during the first 10 years of its implementation (1957-1967) but is no longer relevant to the current state of affairs. What is needed is more support to innovations – not subsidies.

Concerning Energy:
We propose that the Euratom Treaty be either removed or updated so that atomic energy does not receive priority (financial or other) over other energy sources such as renewable energies.

Our question about renewable fuels is, “Why is there no promotion of sustainable renewable fuels in the section on energy in the proposed EU constitution?” The referral to renewable forms of energy in article III-256, part 1 (c) is not ambitious enough.

We propose that special focus be given to research and development of sustainable biological transformation of bioenergy in biomass and biowaste (for example to biogas and biofertilisers). The current practice of incineration is damaging to the environment and to human health and is thus not sustainable.

In the case of public awareness of energy issues we feel that there is a lack of awareness. We propose that the EU provide information concerning EU’s energy policies and available energy sources which is (1) easily understood and (2) easily accessible so that citizens may make educated choices on their selection of energy sources.

Concerning the Environment:
We propose that the Commission continue to strive after fulfilling the obligations set forth in the EU’s sustainable development strategy (SDS) of 2001 (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2001/com2001_0264en01.pdf), including the enforcement of proper implementation within an appropriate time limit.

We propose that Commissioner Wallström’s initiative of a ‘Protocol on Sustainable Development’ be included in the proposed EU constitution (http://europa.eu.int/comm/archives/commission_1999_2004/wallstrom/pdf/psd.pdf).

Concerning Traffic:
Our questions concerning traffic and transportation are, “How is the EU planning to address the projected massive increases in road traffic and transportation in general? What sustainable solutions are being proposed? Are new types of rail traffic being discussed? What are the alternatives, and are these alternatives considered sustainable in all aspects?”

We propose that a more energy efficient motor pool be promoted, including the utilization of renewable fuels produced by sustainable methods.

Concerning Employment and Social Affairs:
We propose that, in the pursuit of creating more jobs and growth, the concepts of sustainable (green) jobs and sustainable growth be more prominent and actively sought after.

We propose that the field of social economy receive more recognition and inclusion into the proposed EU constitution.

Our question concerning the pension system is, “What is being done to counteract the demographic trend which will likely lead to shortages in the pension funds in the coming years?”

We propose that female representation within the EU increase in order to better represent the 50% of the EU population which is female.

General concerns:
We propose that the concept of sustainability be more mainstreamed within the general activities of the EU.

We propose that the term “sustainability” be defined correctly and pedagogically and include the linkages between the environment, economy and society.

Our question is, “Is there a requirement of the level of expert knowledge that an EU Commissioner must have within his or her respective responsibility area?” We feel that, although having personal distance from the subject at hand can help with the representative to remain neutral in his or her decision-making, a certain amount of proficiency should be required so that dependence on knowledge gained from lobbyists is checked. Representatives should seek advice from environmental experts without economic interests.

We hope that the above propositions and questions will be dealt with by the Commission and that a response be given to us in a timely manner. Thank you for your attention to these matters, as we see them to be vital to the successful continuation of the Union and to the effort for a more sustainable and just world.

With kind regards, and in representation of all project participants,
Cheryl Prindiville, MSc and Ruzena Svedelius, AgrD