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Researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research at the Medical University of Vienna described most of the studies used by France, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Hungary in assessing glyphosate as unreliable. The Glyphosate Evaluation Group (FR, SE, HU, NL) based its opinion on a total of 35 studies, working on the opinion from 2019 to June 2021. On 15/06/2021, the group submitted an evaluation concluding that the classification of glyphosate as dangerous for mutagenicity, toxicity to reproduction, specific target organ toxicity and carcinogenicity was not justified. According to the Group's recommendations, glyphosate cannot be qualified as an endocrine disruptor either. The opinion of the Glyphosate Evaluation Group was drafted as the license to use glyphosate expires on 15/12/2022. However, according to researchers from the Institute for Cancer Research, out of a total of 35 studies on which the Group (FR, SE, NL, HU) was based, only 2 studies were reliable. 15 studies were partially reliable, and even 18 out of a total of 35 studies were completely unreliable (these were often studies submitted directly by industry).
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As part of its forthcoming presidency of the Council of the EU (01/01/2022 - 30/06/2022), France plans to focus on several agricultural issues (including, for example, food labelling or pesticide reduction), and so-called mirror clauses in trade agreements with third countries. These clauses should ensure that agricultural commodities and foodstuffs imported from third countries into the European market comply with European environmental production standards. The topic of mirror clauses was also discussed at the EP Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on 29/11/2021, which was also attended by representatives of the European Commission (Flavio Coturni, DG TRADE). Coturni said in the discussion that mirror clauses could be introduced, but subject to certain conditions. According to Coturni, the EU would have to prove at international level that there is a global (not just local) problem that needs to be addressed by introducing mirror clauses (such as biodiversity loss). In addition, the clauses would have to be non-discriminatory and proportionate. However, according to Coturni, it is important not to overestimate the degree of influence that mirror clauses could have, because these third countries sell to the EU only a small proportion of what they produce. In addition, WTO rules would have to be respected.
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The European Parliament approved a package of new CAP rules during the 23/11 plenary session in Strasbourg. Parliament approved the new rules by a large majority, the Strategic plans were supported by 452 MEPs, 178 against, 57 abstentions; Horizontal regulation was supported by 485 MEPs, 142 against, 61 abstentions; and the CMO regulation was supported by 487 MEPs, 130 against, 71 abstentions. In addition, Parliament also supported the requirement that imported agricultural products should meet internal European health and environmental standards.
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The European Commission will provide €290 million for 132 new projects under the LIFE Environment and Climate Program. The new projects will help Europe become a climate-neutral continent by 2050 and put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. The new financial package provides €223 million for the environment and resource efficiency, nature and biodiversity, and environmental management and information environment. Another €70 million will go to climate change mitigation, adaptation, governance, and information projects.
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The German agricultural organization DLG, in cooperation with farmers, technical experts, dairies and German food retail chains (incl. Edeka, Netto, Rewe), has developed an animal welfare labelling system. The system should apply from the beginning of 2022, covering milk and dairy products. It is intended to facilitate the division of food into four categories according to the type of farming into the basic, bronze, silver, or gold category. The certification includes 36 criteria that must be met to varying degrees depending on the level of labelling and eight exclusion criteria, which are the basic requirements for animal husbandry. Dairies can use the labels on their products as an added value to provide consumers with information on animal-friendly dairy farming.
More information is available here.