News

Under the LIFE Programme, the European Commission will invest a total of € 121 million in environment, nature, and climate projects in 2021. Funds for 2021 are increased by 20% compared to 2020, they should help the green recovery and fulfilment of environmental goals in SK, BE, DE, IE, FR, HU, IT, LV, NL, PL, and PT. The European Commission expects to invest considerable additional funding in these integrated projects, as it will make it easier for Member States to use other sources of EU funding, including agricultural, structural, regional and research funds, as well as national funds and private sector investment.
More information is available here.

On 25/01/2021, the European Commission approved a ban on the use of lead bullets in wetlands. Member States are obliged to implement the regulation by 15/02/2023 (possibly until 2024 for countries with an area of more than 20% wetlands). The commission estimates that hunters clog wetlands with more than 20,000 tonnes of lead cartridges a year. The ban will reduce the number of dead birds that have died from lead poisoning by up to one million.
More information is available here.

On 15/02/2021, the Commission launched feedback on supplementary trade rules in organic farming. The aim of the initiative is to prepare a delegated regulation to supplement the business rules on organic food. The consultation is open until 15/03/2021, available here.

On 17/02/2021, the Commission launched feedback on Integrated farm statistics as regards the financial framework. The initiative aims to adapt statistics to the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027. The consultation is open until 17/03/2021, available here.

On 15/02/2021, the Commission launched feedback on updating EU legislation on Economic accounts for agriculture. The purpose of the initiative is to update the EU Regulation on the economic accounts for agriculture by introducing formal arrangements for regional accounts up to NUTS 2 level; adding a quality reporting requirement; and relaxing the deadline for transmission of second estimates for national economic accounts for agriculture. The consultation is open until 12/04/2021, available here.

Seven European countries (BE, FR, DE, LU, NL, ES and CH) undertook on 12/02/2021 to facilitate the introduction of nutrition labelling on the front of food packaging through NutriScore, through a transnational coordination mechanism. The aim is to facilitate the use of labelling by producers in the food sector, to help small businesses, and to maintain contacts with consumers. However, not all European countries support NutriScore. This marking is criticized by IT or SE, which promote their own established marking systems.
More information is available here and here.

The French government is finalizing negotiations with actors of the food supply chain to set a minimum price for certain food products. The expected result of the new regulation should be to ensure an adequate share of value added for primary producers as well - i.e., to set prices so that producers' income corresponds to production costs. The year-long negotiations should end on 01/03/2021, disagreements in the parties' views persist. The new regulation should set minimum prices for the next twelve months. Companies in the food chain could subsequently face sanctions if they do not sign the food price agreement by the end of the negotiation period.
More information is available here.