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Articles by Benoit CASSART
Management of EU-Mercosur tariff quotas
Priority question for written answer P-001665/2026 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) In accordance with Regulations (EU) 2016/1237, 2016/1239, 2020/760 and 2020/761, agricultural tariff quotas are managed through import licences and through mechanisms to prevent speculative behaviour (such as the LORI system).
Offshore vessels: the need for regulatory adaptation
Question for written answer E-001335/2026 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The current EU regulatory framework, comprising the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Maritime Regulation and the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), is not suited to the specific characteristics of offshore vessels, whose complex operations do not align with existing rules.
Ensuring intermediate crops can realistically contribute to SAF targets
Question for written answer E-001370/2026 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation sets targets for the increased use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in Europe, rising from 2 % from 2025 to 75 % by 2050. Those ambitious targets will require a rapid and scalable increase in advanced biofuel supply.
Avoiding regional exclusion based on theoretical cropping potential
Question for written answer E-001372/2026 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), the EU recognises that sustainable aviation fuels must also be produced using advanced biofuels, as defined in Annex IX. Feedstocks will be sourced from intermediate crops allowed to be grown without competing with food and feed production.
Giving farmers certainty to invest in and supply sustainable aviation fuel markets
Question for written answer E-001371/2026 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The European Union has set ambitious targets to decarbonise the aviation sector by using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Through the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, the EU set targets for the increased use of SAF on its territory – of up to 75 % by 2050.
EU Ports Strategy and EU Maritime Industrial Strategy
Question for written answer E-000518/2026 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) How is the Commission ensuring that the sheer number of rules on the energy transition, security and resilience, and the requirements set out therein will not compromise the competitiveness of EU ports vis-à-vis other major global hubs, such as the ports of Shanghai and Los Angeles, while also ensuring that ports with very different resources are able to develop on a level playing field and play a role...
Prevention and coordination measures to combat the Asian hornet
Question for written answer E-000257/2026 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew), Olivier Chastel (Renew) The Asian hornet is an invasive exotic insect native to South Asia, accidentally introduced into France in 2004 and present in the Wallonia since 2016. It spreads exponentially: each nest that is not destroyed leads to the creation of 10 to 50 new nests per year.
Protecting the European natural fibre industry and farmers in the face of rules that favour fast fashion
Question for written answer E-000154/2026 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The natural fibre industry employs thousands of people across Europe and supports cultural traditions through local production of clothes. The current arrangements for calculating environmental footprints, however, might well be undermining this heritage.
Impact of LULUCF Regulation on the availability of horticultural peat
Question for written answer E-000008/2026 to the Commission Rule 144 Hilde Vautmans (Renew), Olivier Chastel (Renew), Benoit Cassart (Renew) Peat is crucial for European greenhouse growers, supporting the production of vegetables, fruit, mushrooms, ornamental plants and tree seedlings. It is foundational to resource-efficient greenhouse horticulture, reducing the need for water, fertilisers and pesticides, while ensuring high-yield harvests.
Integrating private bird breeding into EU conservation policies
Question for written answer E-004881/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Many Europeans involved in breeding wild birds in protected areas highlight how this could help conserve biodiversity. With the help of privately bred birds and small-scale European breeding, it has been possible to save or reintroduce several species now classified as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Integrating private bird breeding into EU conservation policies
Question for written answer E-004839/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Many Europeans involved in breeding wild birds in protected areas point to how this could help conserve biodiversity. With the help of privately bred birds and small-scale European breeding, it has been possible to save or reintroduce several species currently classified as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Controls at EU borders to ensure the proper implementation of food safety and animal welfare legislation
Question for written answer E-004604/2025/rev.1 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The aim of the Commission’s Vision for Agriculture is to ensure that relevant food safety and animal welfare legislation is properly implemented and enforced by strengthening controls on imported products.
Strengthening protection against age discrimination beyond the labour market
Question for written answer E-004719/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Protection against age discrimination at EU level is based primarily on Directive 2000/78/EC, which is limited to the employment sector. Many Europeans nevertheless continue to face age discrimination in other key areas, such as access to healthcare, housing, transport, digital technologies or even financial services.
Establishing an ambitious EU framework to combat ageism
Question for written answer E-004718/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) More and more Europeans are experiencing age discrimination, particularly when it comes to access to employment, healthcare and services, and when participating in society more generally. Although existing European legislation protects against ageism in employment, there is still no comprehensive framework covering all types of age discrimination at any stage of life.
EU-US agreement on tariffs and trade
Question for written answer E-004603/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) In its Vision for Agriculture, the Commission undertook to ensure that the relevant food safety and animal welfare legislation will be properly implemented and enforced. How does the Commission intend to work on standards related to animal welfare, the use of antibiotics and plant protection products, in the light of the recent EU-US political agreement on tariffs and trade?
Parliamentary question | Regulation (EU) No 1144/2014: funding of information provision and promotion measures | E-004445/2025 | European Parliament
Question for written answer E-004445/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The low consumption of fruit and vegetables in the European Union is one of the most significant dietary risk factors associated with the loss of healthy life years. According to a 2019 Eurostat study, only 12.5 % of Europeans report that they eat five fruit and vegetables a day, a public health objective that has been recommended by the World Health Organization since 2003.
Consumer transparency about the energy capacity of primary batteries
Question for written answer E-004444/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) In Regulation (EU) 2023/1542[1], the Commission recognises the importance of providing consumers with transparent information on rechargeable battery performance.
EU-Mexico trade agreement
Question for written answer E-004084/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The modernised EU-Mexico trade agreement, which replaces the original agreement from 2000, is in the final stage of negotiation, with an agreement on the trade-related components having been concluded at the beginning of 2025. Mexico wants to reduce its dependence on the US. The agreement boosts certain European products’ access to the Mexican market.
Medical staff shortages in rural areas
Priority question for written answer P-004116/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Medical staff shortages in rural areas within the EU threaten social justice and will be a serious challenge in the coming years. These shortages are the result of an aging population, an increasing demand for healthcare and difficult working conditions in these areas due to a lack of housing and transport infrastructure, leading to excessive workloads.
purchase of USD 750 billion worth of energy | E-003918/2025 | European Parliament
EU-US political agreement: purchase of USD 750 billion worth of energy Question for written answer E-003918/2025/rev.1 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Did the Commission take existing contracts with other suppliers into consideration when agreeing to purchase USD 750 billion worth of US energy products (LNG, oil and nuclear fuels) over a period of three years? Submitted: 7.10.2025 Last updated: 22 October 2025
EU-China trade relations
Question for written answer E-004030/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Amid trade tensions, the European Union is facing retaliatory measures after imposing taxes on Chinese electric vehicles. China has also launched investigations into European brandy and dairy products. Is the Commission considering a broader perspective on how to settle the dispute, one that encompasses both the ongoing investigations and the electric vehicle issue?
EU-US tariffs: food products and drinks
Question for written answer E-003917/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The new tariffs will significantly hinder the ability of European products – in particular food products and drinks – to compete in the US market.
EU-US political agreement: defence
EU-US political agreement: defence Question for written answer E-003919/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) When it comes to defence, it would appear that the Commission has committed to buying US military equipment. Is this not at odds with the Defence Readiness Omnibus and the Security Action for Europe instrument, both of which aim to support European defence firms and bolster the Union’s strategic independence? Submitted: 7.10.2025 Last updated: 13 October 2025
Combating vector-borne diseases as part of the review of the Biocidal Products Regulation
Question for written answer E-002614/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew), Olivier Chastel (Renew) Since Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products entered into force, Article 72 thereof has forbidden any advertisement of the characteristics of such products, even when these are based on proven evidence (effectiveness, safety, chemical properties and manufacturing process).
Flight delays for EU passengers in summer 2025
Priority question for written answer P-002660/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Summer 2024 saw the most disruptions to flight punctuality in Europe in 25 years, with almost half of flights delayed. The situation in summer 2025 is set to be even worse. At least half of delays are down to air traffic control shortcomings in certain Member States, where air navigation service providers are understaffed and under capacity despite the European performance framework.
Parliamentary question | UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – consequences of pulling funding from some UN organisations | E-001635/2025 | European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001635/2025/rev.1 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) On 3 February 2025, President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from some UN organisations and pulled funding from a number of them, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). As a result, the UNHCR is facing a funding deficit of several hundred million dollars, around 40 % of its annual budget.
Counterfeit automotive parts
Question for written answer E-001807/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew), Jan-Christoph Oetjen (Renew), Sophie Wilmès (Renew), Olivier Chastel (Renew) The EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment report entitled ‘The changing DNA of serious and organised crime’ underlines growing concerns over the trade in counterfeit automotive parts, in particular airbags.
Counterfeit pharmaceutical medicines
Question for written answer E-001808/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew), Olivier Chastel (Renew), Billy Kelleher (Renew), Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu (Renew), Sophie Wilmès (Renew) The EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment report entitled ‘The changing DNA of serious and organised crime’ underlines growing concerns over pharmaceutical crime, namely the circulation and promotion of counterfeit, falsified, substandard or fraudulently obtained medicines.
Illegal trafficking of pesticides
Question for written answer E-001736/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew), Olivier Chastel (Renew), Hilde Vautmans (Renew) In June 2024, Europol, supported by Italian, Romanian, Spanish and Portuguese authorities, conducted two major operations to combat the trafficking of illegal pesticides in the EU.
Limited impact of Global Gateway on the African continent
Question for written answer E-001679/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Launched in 2021, Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to EUR 300 billion in investments by 2027 to finance sustainable infrastructure, promote human development and strengthen global connectivity, in Africa in particular. The aim is to propose an alternative to the Chinese ‘new silk roads’ model, with a focus on democratic values, transparency and sustainability.
From development aid to economic diplomacy
Question for written answer E-001680/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Many African countries yearn to take control of their economic future. The continent is experiencing unprecedented population growth: it will have a population of 2.5 billion by 2050, and an educated, connected and urbanised youth is emerging, in search of economic opportunities and industrialisation.
Trade agreements and respect of social and environmental standards
Question for written answer E-001653/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The European Union is the most important trading power in the world. It accounts for 16.5 % of world trade and 48 % of global gross domestic product, thanks to its vast network of trade agreements.
Consequences of the war in Sudan in North Africa
Question for written answer E-001636/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The war in Sudan has given rise to a sizeable movement of people. In 2024, some 1 800 Sudanese nationals were registered in Morocco by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), out of a total of 3 900 people registered there.
Accountability for delays to the first flights of the day (first wave and knock-on effects)
Question for written answer E-001487/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Every day, European airlines experience significant delays, owing to a shortage of staff shortages at certain air navigation service providers. The first flights of the day, which are critical to the smooth running of the day’s schedule, are particularly common casualties. In 2024, only 79% of first flights departed on time, with a 31% increase in delays caused by air traffic control.
Delays to the first flights of the day
Question for written answer E-001490/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) In Europe, staff shortages at some air navigation service providers are causing serious delays, affecting the first flights of the day in particular. Initial delays disrupt the entire day: each minute lost can grow to as much as four minutes by the end of the day. In 2024, only 79% of these first-wave flights departed on time, with air traffic control delays shooting up by 31%.
Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation
Question for written answer E-001210/2025 to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) On 12 March 2025, the Congress of the Republic of Peru adopted amendments to the law regulating the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation, with a view to increasing transparency and accountability.
Parliamentary question | Corruption case in Greece – restoring trust in the EU’s control system | E-000865/2025 | European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000865/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Christine Singer (Renew), Joachim Streit (Renew), Engin Eroglu (Renew), Benoit Cassart (Renew) Discussions on the next multiannual financial framework for 2028–2034 are currently underway across the EU institutions, together with the Member States and stakeholders. A strong and reliable financial framework is particularly crucial for agriculture, given current geopolitical challenges.
Monitoring the Bêkou Trust Fund for the Central African Republic
Question for written answer E-002661/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) In the Central African Republic, around 5 % of health expenditure is financed by the government and almost 80 % of the health budget comes from foreign funding. At the end of 2019, the Ministry of Health and Population in the Central African Republic drew up its 2020-2030 national community health policy, with support from the Bêkou Fund.
Draft EU-Mercosur free trade agreement
Question for written answer E-002613/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Trade agreements, such as the EU-Mercosur one, can open up the EU market to products which do not comply with EU environmental standards. This leads to fears that there will be a distortion of competition which will adversely affect EU farmers. 1.What measures does the Commission intend to take to avoid the weakening of the EU agricultural sector?
Trade agreements negotiated by the Commission
Question for written answer E-002614/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) In order to include mirror clauses in free-trade agreements, including the EU-Mercosur agreement, the EU must ensure that the clauses are justified under the exceptions provided for by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). However, the WTO currently relies on the Codex Alimentarius[1], which is much less ambitious than the EU in terms of health and environmental standards for food products.
Sustainable mobility
Question for written answer E-002407/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) According to the Draghi report, transport is responsible for 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions. The report calls for a pragmatic approach to be taken to ensure that the EU reaches its decarbonisation goals while also remaining competitive in the transport sector.
Inland waterway transport
Inland waterway transport Question for written answer E-002408/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Inland shipping is one of the most popular means of transport for cereals and offers the agri-food industry many advantages. What can the Commission do to guarantee that a fair share of investment for EU transport infrastructure goes into inland waterways to ensure a modal shift that is sustainable and climate-resilient? Submitted: 5.11.2024 Last updated: 20 November 2024
Disruptions due to European air traffic management and protection for overflights during national air traffic control strikes
Question for written answer E-002403/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew), Olivier Chastel (Renew) Almost half of all flights in Europe were disrupted this summer, primarily because of a lack of airspace ‘capacity’ – due to the fragmentation of national systems – and resource issues, including the number and organisation of air traffic controllers. The Draghi report estimates that this mismanagement cost EUR 6 billion and generated 11.6 million tonnes of CO2.
Parliamentary question | EU-Mercosur Agreement – Protecting European health and environmental standards – Motivating farmers | E-002414/2024 | European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002414/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The need to raise farmers’ incomes is unanimously recognised. The budget for the Common Agricultural Policy appears to be frozen. Europe wants to make its agriculture greener, and therefore increase production costs. The trade agreement with the Mercosur countries, which will drive down the price of our agricultural products, is about to be concluded.
Maximum residue limits of pesticides in feed imports
Question for written answer E-002397/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Eric Sargiacomo (S&D), Benoit Cassart (Renew), Christophe Clergeau (S&D), Herbert Dorfmann (PPE), Dario Nardella (S&D), Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE) At the meeting of Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on 4 September 2024, the European Food Safety Authority presented the annual report on pesticide residues in food.
Agricultural crisis reserve
Question for written answer E-002456/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The size and speed of the climate change we are facing today is unprecedented, bringing heatwaves, droughts, floods and the spread of vector-borne diseases that affect livestock (e.g. bluetongue virus). We can expect an increase in prices and, above all, huge volatility in the agricultural products market.
Parliamentary question | MFF – CAP budget – new own resources | E-002457/2024 | European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002457/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as a share of the EU budget has fallen over the past 40 years from 65.5% in 1981 to around 23.5% in 2022. Meanwhile, we are seeing growing compensation through state aid. In the mid-term, this could lead to renationalisation of the CAP on the one hand and, on the other, to a distortion of competition, creating significant tensions within the common market.
Recycling lithium-ion batteries
Question for written answer E-002455/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew) Most electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries, for which the value chain is 95% controlled by China, Japan and South Korea. China currently has predominant control over the value chain for the vast majority of the chemical and metallurgical products needed to make lithium-ion batteries.
The animal health situation in Europe: how can current and future health crises in agriculture be dealt with?
Priority question for written answer P-002410/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew), Sophie Wilmès (Renew), Olivier Chastel (Renew), Hilde Vautmans (Renew) While bluetongue serotype 3 and epizootic haemorrhagic disease have been ruining many farmers in Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands for several months, new bluetongue serotype 12 has just appeared in the Netherlands.
Socio-economic importance of recreational fishing in inland waters
Question for written answer E-001955/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Benoit Cassart (Renew), Olivier Chastel (Renew), Hilde Vautmans (Renew) Recreational freshwater fishing presents an important source of direct and indirect income for rural communities, as well as a means of revenue diversification. The tourism surrounding this activity ensures the sustainability and good condition of fish stocks, while providing social and health benefits.
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