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Agriculture Ministers met for the last time under the German Presidency on 15-16/12/2020 to discuss agricultural policy issues, this time focusing on animal welfare labelling and nutrition labelling on the front of food packaging. The Ministers of Agriculture IT, CZ and GR rejected the introduction of a pan-European system of labelling the nutritional value of food on the front of packaging, therefore the opinion of the Council of the EU was not reached on this topic, only the conclusions of the DE Presidency were presented. In its conclusions, the Presidency calls on the European Commission to draw up a legislative proposal based on a comprehensive impact assessment. On the contrary, the Council adopted an opinion on the pan-European animal welfare labelling scheme, which Ministers welcomed. They stated that farmers who benefit from animal welfare practices beyond the mandatory minimum should be entitled to higher income compensation. The Council called on the Commission to carry out an impact assessment in the event of the introduction of a Europe-wide animal welfare labelling scheme and to submit a legislative proposal. The labelling should gradually apply to all types of livestock throughout their lives (including transport and slaughter), and according to Ministers, a seamless relationship with existing labels should also be ensured. The Commission should go beyond mandatory welfare rules when designing an animal welfare labelling scheme and should consider the different geographical and climatic realities of the Member States. Janusz Wojciechowski, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the Commission would present an impact assessment and a legislative proposal for animal welfare labelling. Voluntary use of the marking system was supported by IT, DK, ES, LV, RO, LU, EE, CZ, IE, HR, and CY.
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The rapporteurs of the EP Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (Herbert Dorfmann, EPP, IT) and the EP Committee on the Environment (Anja Hazekamp, GUE / NGL, NL) continue to work on the draft EP opinion on Farm to Fork Strategy. The first public hearing took place on 07/01/2021, amendments were to be sent by 15/01/2021. Now, however, there has been a slight delay, the first discussion of both committees should take place on 25-26/01/2021, and amendments could then be sent by 28/01/2021. A public hearing should take place in early February 2021, with the EP plenary voting on the opinion at the end of April 2021. However, the situation may continue to change.

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted an opinion on Farm to Fork in the first half of December. According to the CoR, the Farm to Fork strategy and the European Green Agreement must be closely interlinked to reduce the impact of food systems on climate, environment, and biodiversity, thus promoting good soil status, pollinator protection, use of biological resources for integrated protection, aquatic resources and ecosystems while ensuring the production of safe and healthy food. The CoR states that it will not be possible to develop sustainable agriculture in the EU if the EU continues to import cheap agricultural products, which create unfair competition for European industries. According to the CoR, the Commission should develop a set of indicators to monitor progress towards the goal of unifying sustainable food production, ecosystem services and fair economic prospects for farmers and workers across different sectoral policies. Land concentration should be avoided and access to agricultural land should be facilitated for small and novice farmers. The CoR called for the support of short supply chains and the development of organic farming. The CoR has supported reduction targets, i.e., a 50% reduction in pesticides, a 20% reduction in fertilizers, a 50% reduction in antibiotics, and a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030. However, according to the CoR, the European Commission should carry out an impact assessment, considering the different starting positions of Member States and regions. The CoR further called on the Commission to adopt a set of coherent measures aimed at promoting healthy eating regimes, with a greater emphasis on foods of plant origin and lower consumption of fats and sugars; and supported the introduction of a European nutrition labelling system for food. The CoR also supports the introduction of tax incentives that will motivate consumers to eat healthy and sustainably. Therefore, according to the CoR, the price of food must reflect environmental and social costs. According to the CoR, the Commission should present ambitious legislation and binding targets for preventing and reducing food waste; whereas the CoR requires more precise information on the shelf life of food packaging through the indication of 'minimum durability' and the period during which the food is 'inedible'.
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On 14/12/2020, the Commission launched feedback on modernisation of EU rules on feed additives. The initiative aims to facilitate the placing on the market of sustainable and innovative substances and to streamline their authorization process. The consultation is open until 25/01/2021, available here.

On 18/12/2020, the Commission launched feedback on the revision of EU rules on food contact materials. The initiative aims to ensure food safety and a high level of protection of public health, reduce the use of hazardous chemicals and promote innovation and the latest technology. The consultation is open until 29/01/2021, available here.

On 17/12/2020, the European Commission confirmed the allocation of €182.9 million for the promotion of agri-food products. The Commission emphasizes the promotion of products and agricultural methods that directly support the objectives of the European Green Deal, in particular organic products, fruit, vegetables, and sustainable agriculture. Almost half of the budget (€86 million) will be dedicated to campaigns that are more closely linked to the objectives of the European Green Deal, in particular the Farm to Fork Strategy. This includes informing European and global consumers about organic farming, sustainable EU agriculture and the role of the agri-food sector in terms of climate and environmental action. Calls for proposals for forthcoming 2021 campaigns will be published in early 2021. Ten European agri-food organizations, including the largest agricultural organization, Copa and Cogeca, have already called on the European Commission to change planned promotion expenditure for 2021 and reduce the share of funds to support organic food. Organizations are calling for an increase in the budget for overall promotion, which would help the sector recover from the coronavirus crisis.
More information is available here.