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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.
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The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has seen a significant increase in applications for the registration of novel foods compared to the previous 14 years. Since January 2018, when the new European legislation of the new food parties came into force, EFSA has received 156 applications for registration of novel foods, incl. cell cultures of apples or proteins from mung beans. More than 100 applications are still in the approval process. Food business operators welcomed the new regulation, which is probably the reason for the large increase in the number of applications sent to the Commission and forwarded to EFSA.
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Meat consumption should fall from 68.7 kg per capita per year to 67.6 kg by 2030. This was stated by the European Commission in the new European Agricultural Outlook for 2030 of 16/12/2020 (available here). Beef consumption will decline in the coming years, chicken should replace pork consumption. The European Commission is forecasting change in the context of changing consumer preferences and the increased emphasis of consumers on climate protection.