Speaking in advance of the upcoming biodiversity talks in Nagoya, Japan, Dutch GUE/NGL MEP Kartika Liotard told Commissioner Potočnik that doing nothing to counter biodiversity loss will cost $ 4 trillion by 2050 and called for an overhaul of EU agriculture and fisheries policy.

"We need urgent measures to combat biodiversity loss. If we do not act, the estimated costs by 2050 will be $4,000,000,000,000 (4 trillion). Inaction is just not an option. In this context, it was particularly disappointing to see the new Dutch government cut €1 billion in development aid, a key instrument in tackling this problem."

"In Nagoya, the EU must take the lead and commit to overhauling its own agriculture and fisheries policies". Referring to the host country, Japan, Liotard wondered what hope the conference would hold for certain species such as dolphin and tuna.

Kartika Liotard will attend the 10th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity, to be held from 18 to 29 October in Nagoya.

GUE/NGL PRESS CONTACTS:
David Lundy + 32 485 50 58 12
Gianfranco Battistini + 32 475 64 66 28
Sonja Giese + 32 486 94 50 21
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
www.guengl.eu
Gauche Unitaire Européenne/Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group