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Food Safety and Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides confirmed the Commission's interest in revising EU animal welfare legislation. The European Food Safety Authority will also be involved in the scientific opinion on the key legislation’s aspekt. The results of the revision should be available at the end of 2021, based on the results of the revision, new legislative proposals will be presented in 2023.
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During the plenary session of 19/06/2020, the European Parliament approved an EP resolution on the European protection of cross-border and seasonal workers in the context of the coronavirus crisis. Parliament called on the Commission and the Member States to put in place measures to protect cross-border and seasonal workers against COVID-19 and to ensure equal treatment of third-country seasonal workers. Parliament also urges the Commission to ensure that the Farm to Fork strategy and the forthcoming revision of the CAP serve agricultural workers in Europe, including seasonal, migrant, and other mobile workers.
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At its Plenary Session of 19/06/2020, the European Parliament approved a proposal for measures to provide exceptional temporary support under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) in response to the spread of COVID-19. According to the Parliament, the maximum amount of aid should not exceed € 7,000 per farmer (Commission proposed € 5,000) and € 50,000 per small or medium-sized enterprise (in line with the Commission proposal), the aid should be paid by 30/06/2021 (Commission proposed payment by 31/12/2020). According to the Parliament, EAFRD support provided under this measure should be limited to a maximum of 2% of the total EAFRD contribution to the rural development program (the Commission proposed 1%).
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At its Plenary Session of 18/06/2020, the European Parliament approved the first part of the aid package for the wine, fruit and vegetables sectors, the proposal was presented by the Commission on 04/05/2020. Under the new rules, due to the pandemic, farmers should be given more flexibility in using operational programs during the year, and the deadline for the green harvest will be extended.
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At its Plenary Session on 19/06/2020, the European Parliament approved the EP Decision setting up a committee of inquiry into investigations into alleged infringements of Union law and maladministration in its application in relation to the protection of animals during transport inside and outside the Union. The Committee of Inquiry will have 30 members, will run for 12 months, after which the Committee should submit a final report on the findings. The establishment was approved by 605 votes to 53.
More information is available here.