News

The Palm Oil Sustainability Round Table (RPSO) initiative introduced the first proposal for shared responsibility rules. The proposal is valid for RPSO members purchasing palm oil for any purpose, in particular Mondeléz and Nestlé. RPSO members should increase the share of sustainable palm oil purchases by 15% per year. Palm oil must be RPSO certified according to the 2018 RPSO ratified principles and criteria, and RPSO supply chain certification. The proposal is in the process of being discussed; the original implementation date in November 2019 has not been confirmed. Nestlé lists 2023 as the target for 100% sustainable use of palm oil worldwide. Mondeléz reports that it has achieved 100% sustainable use of palm oil in countries around the world as early as 2013.

Palm oil is one of the causes of deforestation. Food companies Mondeléz, Nestlé and Unilever, belonging to a group of 10 major palm oil processors, are now supporting and financing the development of a digital forest monitoring system called Radar Alerts for Detecting Deforestation (RADD). The system can detect deforestation in problem areas a few weeks earlier than the existing optics-based system. RADD is now being developed for Indonesia and Malaysia. One of the largest food businesses has committed to halving forest loss rates and restoring 150 million hectares of land by 2020.
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Israeli company ZeroEgg has developed a versatile vegetable substitute for eggs suitable in the food industry in the production of omelettes, pastries, pasta and sauces. The reason for seeking a replacement was the fluctuating price of eggs on the market and, above all, the question of food safety (infection, allergies or the risks associated with egg storage). The final product is a vegetable liquid egg supplied now and in powder form to producers or to restaurants and bakeries in Israel. The product consists of a selection of proteins not containing GMO, chickpeas, peas, soy or potato protein. Meat products, especially meat, are still perceived as a high-quality protein source. A US survey allows free meat sales in 2019 of 6.7%
More information is available here and here.

On 04/11/2019, the European Commission launched the Observatory to monitor the situation on the wine market. The Observatory aims to enhance transparency and strengthen market intelligence in the sector. The European Union is the world's largest wine producer, accounting for 65% of total EU wine production. The Observatory will regularly update a range of market data (prices, production, and trade), provide timely market analysis, short-term forward-looking reports, medium-term prospects, and output from regular expert-board meetings.
More information is available here.

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.