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The Joint Research Centre (JRC) has prepared an update on the impact of trade agreements on EU agriculture. According to the study's conclusions, trade agreements will have a positive impact on the EU economy, and by 2030 both imports and exports will strengthen. The study focused on the effects of trade with the 12 main partners: Mercosur, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand. By 2030, imports from Mercosur should reach €21 billion, up to 54% of total imports from a total of 12 trading partner countries (as well as 44% of beef imports and 37% of poultry imports). Indonesia should be the second largest importer in the EU in 2030 (€4.74 billion). By 2030, imports from these 12 countries should cover 35% of imports, and a total of 12% of EU exports would flow into the markets of these countries. According to the JRC, by 2030, trade agreements should help boost agri-food exports by up to 30%, and imports by up to 15%. According to the JRC, the increase in exports could be positive, especially for the dairy, pork, wheat, wine, beverage, and processed food sectors. However, the JRC emphasizes that strengthening imports from third countries may jeopardize sensitive EU sectors, including beef, poultry and sheep, rice, and sugar.
More information is available here.

EU agriculture ministers will discuss fishing opportunities for 2021, the Commission's information on trade-related issues and the presidency's information on the state of play of CAP reform negotiations on 25/01/2021 at an informal video conference of ministers. Under miscellaneous items, the Croatian delegation will report on the effects of the recent earthquake on the agricultural sector and rural areas, and the Slovenian delegation together with AT, HR, CY, CZ, EE, FR, EL, HU, LT, LV, PL, RO, and SK will inform about the situation on the pork market.

The European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) will discuss on 25/01/2021 a study by the European Parliament focusing on the largest recipients of subsidies in each EU Member State. The study, entitled " Study on the largest 50 beneficiaries in each EU Member State of CAP and cohesion funds", will be presented by the rapporteur on the subject, German MEP Monika Hohlmeier (EPP).
Agenda is available here, record of the meeting is available here.

The EP Committees on Agriculture and Rural Development (COMAGRI) and on the Environment (COMENVI) have published a draft common position on the Farm to Fork strategy in recent weeks. In response to the draft opinion, EU largest agricultural organization, Copa and Cogeca, said it was essential to focus first and foremost on strengthening the economic sustainability of farms. Copa and Cogeca also call for an impact assessment of the new strategy on the economic sustainability of farms, farmers' incomes, and food security. Parliament is invited by Copa and Cogeca to incorporate amendments aimed at environmental sustainability (the need to reward those farmers who have already implemented more environmentally sustainable solutions and practices, while other farmers should allow Copa and Cogeca to move towards sustainability) and industrial agriculture (In its proposal, Parliament states that industrial companies with a negative impact on the environment should not be eligible for funding to combat climate change or incentives; Copa and Cogeca reject this proposal and propose that it be deleted altogether). The agricultural organization is also responding to the issue of promotion programs - stating that promotion programs should cover the full range of agricultural products, while motivating the move to sustainable production. Copa and Cogeca also reject the introduction of nutrient profiles and mandatory nutrition labelling on the front of food packaging, proposing to introduce "harmonized" labelling instead of "mandatory". The setting of nutrient profiles is also rejected by the European Association of Sugar Processors in its own position. Copa and Cogeca also propose to delete the focus on promoting plant-based diets. Environmental NGOs, including BirdLife Europe, have already spoken out against Copa and Cogeca's view, saying Copa and Cogeca's opinion ignores scientific knowledge about the state of the environment, and calls for a Farm to Fork impact assessment on the agricultural sector is only an effort to delay goals.

On 19/01/2021, the Commission launched feedback on the revision of EU marketing standards for agricultural products. The initiative aims to adjust standards to encourage the supply of more sustainable products to consumers, simplify existing legislation and align EU rules with the Lisbon Treaty. The consultation is open until 16/02/2021, available here.

On 18/01/2021, the Commission launched feedback on the sustainable use of pesticides. The initiative will review the achievement of targets to support the use of less pesticides to date and will use aggregate data to further reduce the use of pesticides under the Farm to Fork and Green Deal targets. The Commission plans to complete the evaluation of pesticide use in the second quarter of this year, publish an impact assessment at the end of 2021, and adopt new legislative proposals in early 2022. The consultation is open until 12/04/2021, available here.