News

On 09/02/2021, the European Parliament approved a proposal to extend the exceptional market measures for the wine sector by one year until mid-October 2021 (the measures are valid retroactively from mid-October 2020). Measures supported by Parliament include strengthening the flexibility to co-finance national aid for the wine sector; authorizing changes relating to the promotion, restructuring and adjustment of vineyards; or support for green harvesting.
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Ukraine is aiming to expand its trade agreement with the EU, especially in the food industry. At the meeting on 11/02/2021, Ukraine asked the European Union to promote free trade. Ukraine's argument is that Ukraine's agri-food production is not a direct competitor to European agri-food production. The European Union has not yet taken a positive view, especially in view of concerns about the European market being too open to many Ukrainian products and possible market overcrowding.
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The largest European agricultural organization, Copa and Cogeca, the International Confederation of European Sugar Beet Growers (CIBE), and the organization representing the poultry sector (AVEC) have expressed their opposition to ratifying the trade agreement with Mercosur. According to the organizations, the agreement is unbalanced, especially in the beef and poultry sectors, Mercosur countries have an advantage; farmers also fear the cumulative impact of all agreements already signed on the EU's agricultural sector and its competitiveness and economic sustainability. Dual production standards for farmers in Mercosur and EU countries could also be a problem.
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Janusz Wojciechowski, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, spoke at the US conference on 09/02/2021, reiterating his call for the abolition of US tariffs on EU agri-food products. The tariffs have been discussed since October 2019 due to a dispute over subsidies between Airbus and Boeing. According to Wojciechowski, the introduced tariffs on wine, cheese or olive oil are detrimental to EU and US farmers, so he called on the new US administration to address and rectify the situation. According to the Portuguese presidency, discussions on trade relations have significantly improved and revived during the term of the new US President Joe Biden.

On 04/02/2021, the European Commission published the conclusions of a study on the CAP’s impact on sustainable land management. The Commission concludes that the CAP contributes to reducing the use of plant protection products and banning their use in areas of organic interest through the promotion of organic farming and other greening measures. The current CAP rules have helped to alleviate the process of soil erosion and have allowed for long-term positive changes in agricultural practices. The studies, together with the outcome of the public consultation on natural resources and the conclusions of previously published supporting studies on biodiversity and water, will contribute to a joint assessment of the impact of the CAP on biodiversity, soil, and water. The European Commission should issue a summary report on the topic by the end of this year.
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