This was the message that ECR members Lorenzo Galligani and Giovanni Malanchini expressed during today's CoR plenary debate on the consequences of U.S tariffs on European agri-food products. 

European farmers are not just food producers; they are guardians of our land, our traditions, and our security. In that regard, Mr Galligani, ECR NAT Coordinator, called for "stability and fair access to markets for our farmers". Highlighting the importance of the deep economic ties between the EU and the US with "agriculture at the heart of this relationship", the Member of the Municipal Council of Pistoria warned against "escalating tensions, which would be detrimental not just for European farmers, but for American consumers who depend on our high-quality products". 

Mr Giovanni Malanchini, Lombardy Regional Councillor, echoed this message urging not to "use our farmers as a bargaining chip". Calling for fair trade policies that promote growth and sustainability, Malanchini called for the path forward to be "pragmatic, avoiding conflict and focusing on cooperation". In particular, he drew attention to the challenges that Europe's wine producers are facing from unpredictable harvests to falling European and global demand: "this is why it is completely unacceptable and absurd to add wine and other alcoholic beverages to the list of EU retaliatory tariffs", he added.

The future of European agriculture is at stake, and a measured approach is required to ensure fair trade in order to protect our farmers and secure our agriculture future. Both ECR members called for "dialogue and strategic negotiation to strengthen transatlantic ties".