News

On 21/06/2021, the Commission launched feedback on official controls for organic products intended for import into the EU. These rules will apply from 1 January 2022. The consultation is open until 19/07/2021, available here.

On 24/06/2021, the Commission launched feedback on the revision of rules on information provided to consumers for alcoholic beverages. The initiative sets out a mandatory list of items and nutrition information for alcoholic beverages in the context of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The consultation is open until 22/07/2021, available here.

On 14/07/2021, the European Commission will present a package of legislative proposals aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in particular carbon dioxide. The package, called Fit For 55, which refers to efforts to meet the target of reducing 55% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, will also include a proposal to create a Carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). CBAM would levy a charge at the borders commensurate with the amount of carbon emitted in the production of imported goods. The proposal is a central element of the package, which will include, inter alia, a revision of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), a revision of the regulation on the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF), amending the Energy Efficiency Directive to implement the ambitions of the new 2030 climate target, and amending the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). CBAM will be closely linked to the revision of the ETS, given the interconnectedness of the level of CBAM ambitions with the ETS. CBAM should ensure that the EU's efforts to combat climate change and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 are effective and that the price of imports into the EU more accurately reflects the carbon content produced. The aim of CBAM is to regulate the greenhouse gas emissions of certain goods when they are imported into the customs territory of the Union to avoid the risk of carbon leakage, the instrument should help reduce this risk by motivating importers in third countries to take measures comparable to EU ambitions. A central CBAM body should also be set up to assess and subsequently authorize applicants wishing to import goods into the EU. According to the provisional versions of the proposal, companies would receive certificates corresponding to the emissions contained in the imported goods, with provisions on the implementation, which would address circumvention practices and sanctions for those who do not submit a certificate corresponding to the emissions contained in goods imported in the previous year by 31 May each year. The first sectors to be included in this new mechanism are the production of cement, electricity, iron, steel, aluminium, and fertilizers. The details of the entry into force and its transitional period have yet to be confirmed, but provisionally, the Commission seems to be considering a three-year transitional period from 01/01/2023.

The European Commission is preparing to present a new EU Forestry Strategy for 2030 in the second half of July 2021, probably 20/07/2021. The new strategy, which falls under both the CAP and the European Green Deal, should help strengthen the protection and restoration of Europe's forests. The aim will be to ensure that the rural development funds available under the new CAP are used to protect and restore forests. Last week, a draft version of the draft strategy leaked from the European Commission, which was of great concern to representatives of the forestry and forestry industries. In a joint statement sent to the European Commission on 23/06/2021, representatives emphasized that the proposal did not consider the views expressed by industry in recent months, e.g., in public consultations, and called for a major overhaul of the document. Representatives criticize especially the disregard for the forest management cycle and the unclear method of financial support provided to foresters for the implementation of the strategy's objectives. Within a group of like-minded member states, Austria has prepared a ministerial letter to the European Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, in which the ministers responsible for forestry also criticize the leaked proposals.
More information is available here.

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.