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A new study by the independent political institute Chatham House, published on 03/02/2021, points to the negative impact of current food systems on biodiversity, so current food production systems must be reformed to prevent further destruction of biodiversity and ecosystems, which could result in security food for the human population. Director Chatham House called for a comprehensive shift to a plant-based diet, to strengthen soil protection, to set aside non-productive areas, and to move to sustainable agriculture.
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According to the representatives of the European Parliament's Committee of Inquiry into compliance with animal welfare rules during transport, the European Commission has only limited possibilities to monitor compliance with these rules. The Commission representative from the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), Peter Bokor, confirmed that the Commission was not able to control every single transfer. However, the European Commission has committed itself to reviewing the system as part of the Farm to Fork strategy. The Committee of Inquiry of the European Parliament called for the transport of live animals to be abandoned as far as possible and for it to be replaced by the transport of chilled or frozen meat.
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In Ireland, a national animal welfare strategy entered into force on 01/02/2021. The strategy recognizes the interdependence between human, animal, and environmental health, and is based on five main principles: cooperation, evidence-based policymaking, knowledge enhancement, education, and an effective regulatory system. Ireland plans to ban fur farming by Easter, and financial support for animal welfare should be doubled.
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Members of the EP Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) approved by a vote of 40 in favour, 5 against, 3 abstentions, the European Commission's proposal to extend support measures for the EU wine sector. The support measures should apply until 15/10/2021, with effect retroactively from 16/10/2020. The Committee's recommendation has yet to be approved by the European Parliament's plenary in the coming week. The main component of the support measures is the support of private storage and crisis distillation of wine. The EU co-financing rate for all measures in the package could be increased to 70% instead of the usual 50%.
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Agriculture ministers met last week at the Council of Ministers to discuss issues related to trade agreements, Brexit, situation in the pig meat sector, and the CAP. Portugal initially outlined its agricultural priorities, reaffirming its intention to reach an agreement on the CAP by April 2021. During the discussion on trade agreements, several ministers emphasized that trade agreements should guarantee a level playing field for EU and third-country farmers - only imports of agri-food products that meet strict European environmental and climate standards should be allowed. On Brexit, ministers emphasized the need to monitor the implementation of the trade agreement with the United Kingdom, especially in geographical indications. An update of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) study on the impact of trade agreements was presented, but ministers will return to the subject of the JRC report during one of the next Council. On CAP reform, ministers called on the PT presidency to defend the Council's October positions, support simplification of the rules, balance the environmental and socio-economic impacts of the CAP, and reach an agreement as soon as possible. Several ministers (ES, NL, EE, FI, CZ, SK, IE, DK) expressed dissatisfaction with some of the European Parliament's proposals, regarding the proposed concept of a hybrid performance system using both the current rules and the new rules of the new implementation mechanism. According to the ministers, this proposal will not bring the required simplification. Under Miscellaneous, Slovenia called for the introduction of support measures for the pig meat.
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