It would be unfair and would betray all environmental policy goals if only European farmers were required, under the polluter-pays principle, to use animal- and nature-friendly production methods. Competitors from outside the EU could then import their products more cheaply without having to meet comparable requirements in their own countries.

nature solidarity therefore advocates environmental tariffs on agricultural imports. This is not protectionism, nor a turning away from global trade. It is the start of a nature-solidarity trade concept to conserve natural resources and ensure security of supply for future generations as well.

No advantages for low-cost competition!
The idea of environmental tariffs is by no means far-fetched. Initial approaches already exist in European practice in other sectors: since October 2023, the CO₂ border adjustment system [Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, or CBAM] has been in force as part of EU climate policy. The mechanism is intended to impose import tariffs on non-EU manufacturers of steel, cement, fertilisers and certain other products if less ambitious climate policy is pursued in their countries, while their European competitors must factor rising costs for their products into their calculations due to CO₂ emissions trading in the EU. The border adjustment mechanism ensures fair competition here. There is nothing to prevent protecting farmers who work in a nature-friendly way in the EU from unfair competition in the same manner.