News

On 24/06/2021, the European Commission published a new report on forests, rivers, pastures, wetlands and other ecosystems and their benefits. According to the report, the restoration of degraded ecosystems has the potential to double the benefits of nature for European society and the economy. Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius called the report a key tool for future policymaking.
Commission report is available here, more information here.

On 22/06/2021, the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety published the conclusions of the subgroup on animal welfare labelling. The group recommends the introduction of a voluntary labelling scheme in the EU based on a multi-level flexible system that reflects current initiatives and the diversity of livestock farming. The largest agricultural organization, Copa and Cogeca, has expressed its full support for this recommendation.

Slovenia will take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU from 01/07/2021 after Portugal. Given the delays in the CAP negotiations, it is not yet ruled out that, in the case of disagreement on CAP reform in the forthcoming super-trilogue on 24-25/06/2021, Slovenia could take over the CAP reform negotiations after Portugal. In addition to negotiations on CAP reform and work on follow-up delegated acts, Slovenia included in its list of priorities strengthening the resilience and preparedness of the emergency sector, green and digital transition of the agricultural sector, strengthening the sustainability of the food sector, long-term vision for rural areas, biodiversity restoration, country of origin labelling of food, the forthcoming EU forestry strategy (Commission plans to publish on 20/07/2021), strengthening animal welfare, or cage farming (Commission plans to publish on 30/06/2021).

The European Commission is expected to present a long-term vision for rural areas later this month. According to the working proposal of the long-term vision, the Pact for Rural Areas should be created within this initiative, which should mobilize public authorities and stakeholders to strengthen activities related to addressing the challenges posed by life in rural areas. An action plan for Europe's rural areas should also be presented, presenting key projects to create new opportunities, innovative business models and kick-start the local economy. A long-term vision for rural areas should stimulate debate on the shape of future rural areas over the next twenty years, lead to the revitalization of rural areas, and mitigate the effects of negative demographic trends. To achieve these objectives, the European Commission should present in the document several non-legally binding measures. According to the provisional wording of the text, the Commission could link the long-term vision to the CAP, especially to the budget allocated to the second pillar of the CAP, which should significantly help with the implementation of the vision. Rural areas should also help meet the objectives of the Europe Green Deal, in particular the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. In this context, the European Commission adds that developing more sustainable and healthier food production, including organic food, can also help generate new opportunities for European farmers and rural areas (shortening supply chains, strengthening local production, innovation). The long-term vision should be presented on 30/06/2021.

On 16/06/2021, the European Commission presented a new work plan for Horizon Europe for the next two years, 2021-2022, totalling €14.7 billion. Up to 40% of the total budget for Horizon Europe will be dedicated to projects aimed at achieving climate neutrality in the EU. The European Commission will also allocate up to €32 million over the next two years to support research into plant-based and meat alternatives, as well as research into laboratory-grown meat and fermentation. This is historically the first European support allocated to research into alternatives to animal proteins. According to representatives of the Good Food Institute Europe (GFIE), this is a clear signal that the EU will focus on the production of sustainable proteins in the future to mitigate the impact of food systems on the environment, climate, and biodiversity. According to the GFIE, national governments should also invest funds from national budgets in the development and infrastructure of alternative protein production.
More information is available here.