On 14 October, the second day of the 140th plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions, ECR Group First Vice-President Rob Jonkman addressed Frans Timmermans, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the Green Deal.

Mr Jonkman underlined that more than half of Europeans live outside of large cities and that any green transition must take into account their needs and livelihoods. "I have the feeling that we often forget about real people in our political discussions. Especially those living far away from Brussels, in our villages", said Mr Jonkman.

He added: "Little is being said in the Green Deal about non-CO2 emissions such as methane, perhaps because emissions that come as a result of the agricultural process are much more difficult to mitigate than CO2. Our farmers will therefore need real support and tangible investments to implement the ambitious goals set by the European Commission", said Mr Jonkman.

Apart from being a member of the CoR, Mr Jonkman serves as Alderman in the rural and agriculturally rich municipality of Opsterland, in the Netherlands.