Between the long-awaited approval of member states’ Widespread Agricultural Coverage plans and looming issues over fertilisers and fodder, this autumn holds loads in retailer for the EU’s agriculture sector. EURACTIV’s agrifood group explores the primary points to maintain your eye on over the following few months.
CAP plans
EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski confirmed on Twitter on Monday (29 August) that we are going to see the primary batch of adoptions of Widespread Agricultural Coverage (CAP) nationwide strategic plans within the first week of September.
Via these plans, member states will set out an individualised motion plan of how they intend to fulfill the 9 aims of the brand new CAP reform. However the Ukraine struggle has disrupted the design and approval strategy of the plans, which had been submitted to the Fee for approval earlier than the invasion.
The 5 frontrunner member states embody Portugal, Poland, Spain, Denmark, and France, however others are scorching on their heels, with the EU govt sustaining that every one plans can be adopted readily for the beginning of the CAP implementation from 1 January 2023.
Ukraine struggle
It’s no secret that, between skyrocketing meals costs, commerce blockages and hovering fertiliser prices, the Ukraine struggle has brought about vital disruption to the worldwide agrifood sector.
July noticed the sealing of a grain deal between Ukraine and Russia, brokered by Turkey, to facilitate the secure supply of Ukraine grain to the remainder of the world, which has seen the resumption of exports within the Black Sea.
The deal, along with varied insurance policies designed to extend agricultural output, has helped ease strain on the worldwide meals system, leading to a drop in meals costs.
Nonetheless, regardless of this, meals affordability stays a problem as a result of worrying forecasts for the forthcoming sowing season in Ukraine.
This implies issues over meals safety will proceed to focus totally on weak international locations throughout the Center East and Africa, the latter of which has been on the receiving finish of a Russian allure offensive aiming to persuade international locations that meals shortages should not attributable to Russia’s struggle, however by sanctions towards Russia.
Fodder and fertilisers
Issues over the supply and value of fertilisers are set to proceed nicely into the top of this yr, with European fertiliser firms sounding the alarm this week over rocketing fuel costs, which they are saying have led to curtailment or shutdown of the “majority” of European fertiliser manufacturing.
“An pressing and decisive EU-driven disaster administration motion is required to revive fertiliser manufacturing,” Fertilizers Europe stated in an announcement, stressing that is key to making sure Europe’s long-term meals safety.
In the meantime, the EU has skilled one of many worst droughts this yr, with 14 of the 27 member states (Portugal, Italy, Spain, France, Eire, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Croatia) severely affected.
FarmEurope has warned that rapeseed manufacturing, in addition to various different crops, are down, which makes farm accounts “much more fragile”.
Notably, fodder manufacturing is in a “very worrying state”, including one more mounting price for the sector which might threaten the survival of many farmers this autumn.
Carbon removals
In November, the Fee is predicted to suggest an EU regulatory framework for the certification of carbon removals.
This proposal will element EU guidelines on certifying carbon removals, together with the mandatory guidelines to observe, report and confirm the authenticity of those removals.
Given their key function in sustaining and enhancing soil natural carbon, this growth can have a serious influence on EU farmers and on future potential extra sources of income.
Animal transport
On the again of a sequence of current high-profile incidents of livestock being stranded at sea, animal welfare continues to be a key focus of EU agrifood coverage.
The Fee is getting ready, below the present authorized framework, tertiary laws to enhance official controls on livestock vessels, seeking to undertake it at the top of 2022.
Labelling
The EU govt is predicted to current its proposal on the controversial subject of front-of-pack labelling in direction of the top of the yr (see right here for background).
The staunch opposition from southern member states to the frontrunner system, the Nutri-Rating, reveals no signal of abating anytime quickly.
Most just lately, the Italian Competitors Authority, AGCM, introduced that the Nutri-Rating cannot be utilized in Italy, and obliged Carrefour and different distributors utilizing the French diet label to withdraw this labelling on its merchandise bought in Italy.
With feelings working excessive, anticipate sparks to fly on the matter within the run-up to the presentation of the proposal.
Open debates
European lawmakers will begin talks on the Fee’s proposal to slash in half the use and threat of chemical pesticides by 2030, which already acquired harsh criticism from some member states.
Nonetheless, negotiations on the revision of the sustainable use of pesticide regulation are anticipated to take time and be concluded below the Spanish EU presidency within the second half of 2023.
The Fee unveiled in April a proposal to revamp the EU’s meals high quality scheme and lawmakers at the moment are anticipated to come back up quickly with a joint set of amendments and seal the reform of the geographical indications (GIs) framework.
MEPs and agriculture ministers are additionally known as to finalise the revision of the EU’s promotion coverage, with which the EU helps sure European foodstuffs to spice up their competitiveness and consumption domestically and internationally.
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]
