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Romania encouraged the continued use of two banned pesticides - clothianidin and imidacloprid - which were banned throughout the EU (except for use in greenhouses) last year. Romania and Lithuania continue to authorize the use of these active substances through authorization for use in exceptional circumstances. According to a Romanian representative, however, emergency permits are in line with the rules; Romania argues the adverse effects of climate change, which led to a sharp increase in pests. In addition, bee and pollinator populations are growing, according to the Romanian government, and alternatives to neonicotinoids are not able to effectively control the pest. However, the European Food Safety Authority has conducted an investigation that Romania has sufficiently effective alternatives available; the Commission is considering further steps.

The European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety last week voted against the European Commission's proposal to praise the import of four glyphosate resistant GMO species. Already 10/10/2019, the European Parliament has voted to ban three more herbicide resistant GMOs. The respective varieties are tolerant to glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium herbicides. MEPs pointed out that, according to a number of scientific studies, genetically modified crops resistant to herbicides lead to increased use of pesticides. The crop can then be exposed to repeated doses leading to higher harvesting residues. The current GMO authorization process is wrong, MEPs said, despite the lack of support from Member States. The non-binding resolution of the Environment Committee on the four GMOs will now be voted on in the EP plenary on 14/11/2019.

On 06/11/2019, the European Union and China agreed on the protection of GIs, a total of 100 EU-produced foods and 100 foods produced in China will be protected. From Czech production, the protected foodstuffs include České Budějovice beer and Žatec hops, from the Slovak wine region Tokaj. China is the second most important export destination for the EU; between September 2018 and August 2019, EU exports to China reached EUR 12.8 billion. The agreement should now be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, and then the trade agreement could enter into force by the end of 2020. Four years after the entry into force of the agreement, the protection of geographical indications should be extended by an additional 175 entries for both parties.
More information is available here.

On 05/11/2019, the EP Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development approved a proposal for imports of high-quality beef from the United States of America and imports of chicken meat from Ukraine. The proposal to import 35,000 tons of high-quality beef from the US (out of a total of 45,000 tons) was adopted by 33 votes in favour, 7 against and 3 abstentions. Imports will be increased gradually over seven years, with a quota of 18,500 tonnes for the first year. In the coming years, the quota will be gradually increased by 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes per year. The Committee also recommended the approval of a proposal for the import of chicken meat from Ukraine, according to the proposal it should be 50,000 tonnes of chicken meat. The proposal was adopted by 34 votes to 9 with 2 abstentions. Proposals should be put to the vote in plenary of the European Parliament, probably on 25-28/11/2019.

Budget and Human Resources Commissioner Günther Oettinger said on 30/10/2019 that Member States are unlikely to reach agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework, the EU budget for 2021-2027, by the end of 2019. According to Oettinger, some progress will be made by December, but the agreement will not be achieved. This is due, among other things, to the change in leadership of the European Council, the current President of the European Council Donald Tusk (PL) from 01/12/2019 replaced by a new President, Charles Michel (BE). According to Oettinger, it is highly unlikely that the new President will reach an agreement on the budget during his first European Council (12-13/12/2019), so that agreement could not be reached until the first half of 2020 under the Croatian Presidency.
More information is available here.