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Part of the MEPs of the largest political faction of the EPP - the Group of the European People's Party from the EP Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) called for the creation of a new control mechanism to strengthen controls and reporting on fraudulent use of CAP funds. Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, CZ) stated that the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has in the past detected several fraudulent uses of EU funds from the CAP ((Recently, for example in Slovakia - checks on whether the subsidy applicant handles land in accordance with the law are not sufficient in Slovakia according to OLAF, OLAF estimates that SK paid out up to EUR 1 million in error in 2013-2019). According to Zdechovský, however, the national authorities do not act to monitor and prevent fraudulent use of funds, so it is necessary to create a new body at the EU level that would oversee the use of CAP funds. According to CONT Chair Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, DE), the new mechanism should also address complaints about the fraudulent use of CAP funds, a new tool for small and medium-sized farmers in the fight against agricultural oligarchs. The creation of a new mechanism was also supported by the Slovak MEP Ivan Štefanec (EPP), according to which the new mechanism will help protect European taxpayers.
More information is available here and here.

On 25/01/2021, the Commission launched feedback on a new EU forestry strategy. Under the Green Deal, the initiative aims to develop a forestry strategy that contribute to biodiversity, climate goals & secure livelihoods, reduce natural disasters, secure jobs, and promote the circular economy. The consultation is open until 19/04/2021, available here.

The European Parliament's Committees on Agriculture and Rural Development (COMAGRI) and on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (COMENVI) discussed a draft common position on the Farm to Fork strategy on 25/01/2021. The COMENVI rapporteur, Anja Hazekamp (GUE / NGL, NL), emphasized that intensive industrial livestock farming has negative effects on the environment and human health, and that industrial production should not be further supported from EU funds. This position was also supported during the discussion by Tilly Metz (Greens, LU) and Sarah Wiener (Greens, AT), who called for a reversal of the trend of concentration and specialization in agriculture and food. Hazekamp also supported the strengthening of protein crop production in the EU and the move towards a more plant-based diet. The COMAGRI rapporteur, Herbert Dorfmann (EPP, IT) on organic farming emphasized that there must be a balance between ecological and economic interest, there must be a balance between supply and demand. In the discussion, MEPs then called for an impact assessment of the Farm to Fork strategy, to reflect on the achievements and commitments of farmers to date in setting F2F targets, and to introduce nutrient profiles and address misuse of health and nutrition claims; however, there was also a refusal to label the nutritional value of food using the NutriScore system and criticism of a possible weakening of the competitiveness of EU agriculture. MEP Ivan David (I&D, CZ) criticized the Commission for setting high production standards for European farmers, while products from third countries are imported into the EU, where production standards are significantly lower. The COMAGRI and COMENVI committees will discuss the opinion on the F2F again on 04/02/2021, amendments to the draft opinion under discussion may be tabled by MEPs by 02/02/2021.
The recording of the meeting can be viewed here.

On 26/01/2021, as part of its Farm to Fork strategy, the European Commission officially began work on an EU Code of Conduct for Responsible Business and Marketing Practices. The main purpose of the Code will be to support the achievement of Farm to Fork objectives at all levels and in all parts of the food supply chain. The Code will provide recommendations for the selection of ingredients and raw materials for food production, for transport options, for food packaging methods, and for marketing practices. The code is expected to be presented in the second quarter of 2021 but is in danger of being postponed until 2022.
More information is available here.

The EP Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (COMENVI) adopted on 28/01/2021 its opinion on the circular economy. The opinion has yet to be approved by the plenary of the European Parliament in the coming months, after which it will become Parliament's opinion. COMENVI calls for all packaging to be reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030, and calls on the Commission to submit without delay a legislative proposal including waste reduction measures and targets and to strengthen the ambitious essential requirements of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive to reduce excessive use of packaging; urges the Commission to adopt rules for the general exclusion of intentionally added microplastics; stresses that disposable plastics should be replaced by reusable products (where alternatives are available) without compromising hygiene or food safety, and calls on the Commission to take legislative action in this regard; and calls on the Commission to translate the legislative proposal with binding targets for the reduction of food waste by 2030.
Approved opinion of the Committee available here.