News

On 25/02/2021, the European Commission published the results of an evaluation study on the CAP’s impact on knowledge exchange and advisory activities. The CAP is an overall effective means of exchanging knowledge and advice in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. The shortcomings are in the form of low uptake of measures (only 10% of European farms and 20% of CAP beneficiaries), the implementation of measures is not harmonized across Member States.
More information is available here.

On 24/02/2021, the Commission launched feedback on the labelling provisions for spirit drinks. The initiative aims to clarify the labelling of mixtures of spirit drinks from different geographical indications. The consultation is open until 24/03/2021, available here.

Russia has announced the first transmission of the H5N8 bird flu strain to humans. The virus was detected in seven employees of a Russian poultry farm, where the outbreak was confirmed. There has been no evidence of human transmission of the strain to humans. Outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported in recent months in Russia, Europe, China, the Middle East, and North Africa, but only in poultry. Other strains of avian influenza, including H5N1, H7N9 and H9N2, have been previously transmitted to humans.
More information is available here.

The Commission has awarded a grant of several million euros under Horizon 2020 to the mEATquality project, which focuses on the link between animal welfare and meat quality. The research will deliberately examine only pork and broilers, not beef. The European Commission aims to obtain information on the elements in the environment where the animals move, and which affect the quality of the meat. The research will begin in August this year and last four years.
More information is available here.

A group of 140 scientists sent a letter to the European Commission expressing support for the End of the Cage Initiative and calling for an end to cage farming in the European Union. The end of the cage civic initiative last year received 1.4 million signatures from European citizens as an expression of support. According to scientists, animals are thinking creatures, suffering in closed cages.
More information is available here.