Agriculture Guides

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New EU vine planting rules by EUbusiness — last modified 13 April 2015, 23:42 CET

New EU rules for a new scheme of authorisations for vine plantings, allowing for a yearly limited expansion in the EU's wine area, were published by the European Commission on 13 April.

End of milk quotas by EUbusiness — last modified 26 March 2015, 18:17 CET

The EU milk quota regime comes to an end on 31 March, 2015. First introduced in 1984 at a time when EU production far outstripped demand, the quota regime was one of the tools introduced for overcoming these structural surpluses. Successive reforms of the EU's Common Agriculture Policy have increased the market-orientation of the sector and, in parallel, provided a range of other, more targeted instruments to help support producers in vulnerable areas, such as mountain areas where the costs of production are higher. The final date to end quotas was first decided in 2003 in order to provide EU producers with more flexibility to respond to growing demand, especially on the world market. It was reconfirmed in 2008 with a range of measures aimed at achieving a "soft landing". Even with quotas, EU dairy exports have increased by 45% in volume and 95% in value in the last 5 years. Market projections indicate that the prospects for further growth remain strong - in particular for added-value products, such as cheese, but also for ingredients used in nutritional, sports and dietary products.

EUR 28m package for Baltic Milk Producers by EUbusiness — last modified 19 November 2014, 22:05 CET

The European Commission on 18 November confirmed its intention to adopt a EUR 28m support package for milk producers in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This new package is the latest in a series adopted by the Commission in response to the Russian ban on the importation of certain EU agricultural products.

Avian Influenza in The Netherlands and the UK by EUbusiness — last modified 18 November 2014, 23:20 CET

The European Commission adopted on 17 November two emergency safeguard Decisions addressed to The Netherlands and the UK that define the areas that have been placed under stringent veterinary restrictions by those Member States, and where measures according to EU legislation are applied. The measures aim at quickly bringing the disease under control and at preventing the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza within the affected Member States, to other Member States and to third countries while minimising the disturbance to trade.

EUR 165m package for perishable fruit & vegetable market support by EUbusiness — last modified 30 September 2014, 11:39 CET

The European Commission adopted on 30 September a new programme for emergency market measures for perishable fruit & vegetables in the wake of the Russian ban on imports of certain EU agricultural products.

Veterinary medicines and medicated feed proposals by EUbusiness — last modified 10 September 2014, 16:59 CET

The European Commission adopted on 10 September proposals on veterinary medicines and medicated feed, with the aim of improving animal health and public health, as well as the internal market. The proposal on veterinary medicinal products aims in particular to make more medicines available in the EU to treat and prevent diseases in animals. The proposal on the modernisation of medicated feed legislation now includes feed for pets in its scope. The idea is to ensure the appropriate standard of product quality and safety in the EU, whilst at the same time paving the way for better treatments for diseased animals.

Potential impact of the Russian measures against EU agricultural products by EUbusiness — last modified 04 September 2014, 17:41 CET

On August 7, 2014, Russia announced the introduction of an import ban, applicable from August 8, on certain meat, dairy, fruit, vegetable and processed food products from the EU, USA, Canada, Australia and Norway. This guide addresses issues relating to these measures.

Commission proposals for new rules for organic farming by EUbusiness — last modified 26 March 2014, 00:13 CET

The European Commission has published new proposals for a new Regulation on organic production and the labelling of organic products. Consumer and producer concerns are at the heart of this new proposal, which seeks to address shortcomings of the current system. The EU organic market has quadrupled in size over the last 10 years and rules need to be updated and adjusted so that the sector can further develop and respond to future challenges.

Delegated acts of CAP reform: main elements by EUbusiness — last modified 13 March 2014, 22:10 CET

The European Commission adopted on 13 March the first package of delegated acts for the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) aiming at making the CAP fairer, greener and more targeted. These texts supplement the four basic acts adopted on 13 December 2013 by the European Parliament and the Council for the reform of the CAP - i) on Direct Payments, ii) the Common Market Organisation (CMO), iii) Rural Development and, iv) a Horizontal Regulation on the financing, management and monitoring of the CAP.

EU Strategy for the Welfare of Animals - mid-point review by EUbusiness — last modified 12 February 2014, 13:55 CET

The European Commission marks the mid-point of the EU Strategy for the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2012-2015 in Brussels on 12 February 2014. The event brought together key stakeholders to review the achievements of the strategy to date, and to identify remaining challenges. Government authorities, non-governmental organisations and those who work with animals every day discussed practical issues related to animal welfare and identify key areas for action to improve animal conditions for the strategy’s remaining term and beyond.

School Schemes for Fruit, Vegetables and Milk by EUbusiness — last modified 30 January 2014, 17:15 CET

The European Commission has published a proposal bringing together two currently separate school schemes, the School Fruit Scheme and the School Milk Scheme, under a joint framework. In a context of declining consumption among children for these products, the aim is to address poor nutrition more effectively, to reinforce the educational elements of the programmes and to contribute to fight against obesity. With the slogan "Eat well - feel good", this enhanced scheme from farm to school will put greater focus on educational measures to improve children's awareness of healthy eating habits, the range of farm produce available, as well as sustainability, environmental and food waste issues.

Commission proposals on animal cloning and novel food by EUbusiness — last modified 19 December 2013, 00:09 CET

The European Commission has today adopted three draft laws on animal cloning and on novel food which will provide legal certainty in this field. Two proposals will ban the use of the cloning technique in the EU for farm animals and the imports of these animal clones. The marketing of food from animal clones will also be prohibited. These proposals intend to address animal welfare and other ethical concerns related to the use of the technique. The draft law on novel food revises the existing Novel Food Regulation with a view to improving access of new and innovative food to the EU market, while still maintaining a high level of consumer protection.

New agricultural and agri-food product promotion policy by EUbusiness — last modified 21 November 2013, 22:38 CET

The European Commission has presented a draft reform of the information and promotion policy for European agricultural and food products. The new promotion policy, which benefits from a more substantial budget and will in future be supported by a European executive agency, is intended to act as key for opening up new markets. With the slogan 'Enjoy, it´s from Europe', the policy aims to help the sector's professionals break into international markets and make consumers more aware of the efforts made by European farmers to provide quality products, based on a genuine strategy established at European level.

EU policies on the cultivation and imports of GMOs by EUbusiness — last modified 07 November 2013, 00:42 CET

On the 26th September 2013, the General Court of the European Union delivered a ruling finding that the Commission failed to act on a GMO cultivation request which had been submitted twelve years ago in 2001. In line with this ruling, the Commission today acted by referring the cultivation request to the Council of Ministers. It is now up to the Ministers to take a position by qualified majority on this request. The European Food Safety Agency had already submitted a positive opinion on this request in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2012, in all six positive opinions. This 2001 request falls under the "old" pre-Lisbon comitology procedure, which means that if the Council is not able to muster a qualified majority, either for or against the authorisation, then the Commission is obliged by law to grant the authorisation. In parallel, the Commission has requested a fresh debate in the Council of Ministers of its so-called "cultivation proposal" on which the European Parliament has already adopted its opinion which would allow Member States to restrict or prohibit cultivation of GMOs on their territory on grounds other than those relating to risks to health and the environment.

What future for our food system? - EU consults by EUbusiness — last modified 18 July 2013, 13:28 CET

The European Commission has put out a consultation asking for opinions about the European food production and consumption system. With some 89 million tons of food wasted every year in Europe, the consultation asks stakeholders, citizens, businesses, NGOs and public authorities for ideas on how to reduce food waste and, more generally, how to ensure our food system is using resources efficiently. The Commission says these will provide input for a Communication on Sustainable Food later this year.

Common agricultural policy reform after 2014 - main elements by EUbusiness — last modified 27 June 2013, 17:15 CET

More emphasis on environmental protection, mandatory top-ups for young farmers in all member states, stronger farmers' organisations and less red tape when spending EU funds. These are the main lines of the agreement on farm policy struck on Wednesday by the European Parliament, Council and the Commission. Decisions still need to be taken on capping direct payments to bigger farms and distributing funds between farmers.

Smarter rules for safer food by EUbusiness — last modified 06 May 2013, 22:57 CET

The European Commission has adopted a package of measures to strengthen the enforcement of health and safety standards for the whole agri-food chain. Food safety is essential to ensure consumers' confidence and sustainability of food production. The Commission says the package of measures provides a modernised and simplified, more risked-based approach to the protection of health and more efficient control tools to ensure the effective application of the rules guiding the operation of the food chain. The package is a response to calls for better simplification of legislation and smarter regulation thus reducing administrative burden for operators and simplifying the regulatory environment. Special consideration is given to the impact of this legislation on SMEs and micro enterprises which are exempted from the most costly and burdensome elements in the legislation. The current body of EU legislation covering the food chain consists of almost 70 pieces of legislation. Today's package of reform will cut this down to 5 pieces of legislation and will also reduce the red-tape on processes and procedures for farmers, breeders and food business operators (producers, processors and distributors) to make it easier for them to carry out their profession.

Value of production of agricultural products and foodstuffs, wines, aromatised wines and spirits protected by a geographical indication (GI) by EUbusiness — last modified 04 March 2013, 17:15 CET

This study, financed by the European Commission, was carried out by AND International. The conclusions, recommendations and opinions presented in this report reflect the opinion of the consultant and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Commission.

EUR 414m CAP expenditure claw-back by EUbusiness — last modified 26 February 2013, 17:17 CET

A total of €414 million of EU agricultural policy funds unduly spent by EU Member States is being claimed back by the European Commission under the 'clearance of accounts procedure'. Member States are responsible for paying out and checking expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the Commission is required to ensure that Member States have made correct use of the funds. This money returns to the EU budget because of non-compliance with EU rules or inadequate control procedures on agricultural expenditure. Formally speaking, because some of these amounts have already been recovered from the Member States the net financial impact of today's decision will be some EUR 393 million.

EU farm subsidies: Commission proposals to increase aid transparency by EUbusiness — last modified 25 September 2012, 17:40 CET

The European Commission has adopted a proposal designed to apply new rules with regard to the publication of information on the beneficiaries of European agricultural funds. This legislative review has been prompted by a 2010 judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) which invalidated part of Commission Regulation (EC) 259/2008, particularly as regards the publication of information on individual beneficiaries of the agricultural funds. Today’s proposal takes into account the legal constraints inherent to the protection of personal data by setting certain limits upon the publication of individual names and by asking Member States to publish more detailed information, particularly on the type of aid and the description of the measures for which the funds have been allocated.