News

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) published an analysis on 05/02/2020 focusing on assessing the reduction of risks associated with the use of pesticides in the EU. However, according to the ECA's results, the EU is achieving limited results in terms of risk reduction. The timing of the report may affect further discussions - the report was published two months before the planned launch of the Farm to Fork Strategy, which states, inter alia, the need to reduce the amount of pesticides used and the risks associated with their use. The ECA called on the Commission to put more pressure on the Member States to properly implement the current rules and to transpose European legislation into national legislation. According to the ECA, integrated pest management should be included in cross compliance requirements under the new CAP.
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On 19/02/2020, the European Commission should publish a Communication on Digitization called ‘Europe fit for the digital age: Towards a truly European digital society’. Digital transformation should become a key aspect in achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal - it will help to the decarbonisation, contribute to improving the quality of life and climate. In the agricultural sector, this will mean focusing on precision farming, sensors, drones, and reducing input to agriculture. This should make agriculture more environmentally friendly. However, access to the Internet for all farmers will be a key barrier - currently only 52% of farmers in the EU have Internet access.

Last week, a conference on the future of forestry was held, with representatives from both the Commission and Parliament. The possibility of introducing a European Forestry Policy was discussed. Pascal Canfin (FR, Renew Europe), chairman of the EP Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, said that EU Forest Policy should be based on two pillars – on protection, and on the sustainable identification of parts of forests that will not be protected in order to ensure balance. On average, according to Canfin, 30% of marine and terrestrial areas should be protected, which should also be a target in third countries. According to Canfin, a sustainable business model for agroforestry and forest protection has economic added value. The conference focused on preventing global deforestation, which should be supported by the introduction of mandatory labelling schemes, due diligence systems or voluntary commitments.
More information is available here.

Green Alliance, an independent think-tank, published in the past month a report entitled ‘Plastic Promises’ focused on replacing plastic packaging with cardboard or glass packaging. According to Green Alliance, the risk of this move is consumers’ perception that by replacing plastic packaging with glass or cardboard packaging, we will support the sustainability of the whole system. Green Alliance points out that the preference of cardboard and glass packaging may have a greater impact on the carbon footprint. Therefore, current standards of what is biological material, biodegradable material and compostable material should be reviewed to avoid further consumer confusion. The Green Alliance has supported the move from plastic packaging to pulp-based packaging, according to the results of a Swedish study, up to 25% of food and drink packaging could already be replaced by these packaging today.
More information is available here.

Israeli start-up Yofix Probiotics produces yoghurt alternatives made from oatmeal, lentils, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and coconut. Yofix last week managed to secure a fund to support the global expansion of plant-based yogurt alternatives, the total amount of the fund is $ 2.5 million, and is co-financed by large dairy products Müller and Bel Group (La vache qui rit, Babybel, Kiri). Yofix production, in addition to purely plant ingredients, is carried out using the zero-waste method. Yofix is produced in three flavours (berry fruit, apple and cinnamon, bananas and maple syrup), is vegan and lactose-free. Bel Group said that by supporting a new start-up, it aims to approach new trends and develop innovations for its own production.
More information is available here.