News

On 25/07/2019, the European Commission published a package of decisions on infringements of EU legislation. The European Commission called on eight Member States - DK, EE, GR, HU, IT, MT, PL and SK - to implement EU regulations on indirect land use change. These Member States have not yet fully put into practice the rules on enhancing the sustainability of biofuels (Directive (EU) 2015/1513), in September 2015 the EU Member States agreed to implement EU legislation by 10/09/2017 and notify the national implementing measures to the Commission. The Member States concerned now have two months to respond to the Commission's call. If it fails to do so, the Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion.
More information is available here.

The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) published on 22/07/2019 its own monitoring report of crop production and yields in the EU (here). According to the JRC monitoring report, drought particularly affected winter and spring crops in ES, FR, LU, DE, PL, FR, BE, NL, CZ, LV, LT and IT. However, given the expected high temperatures in the coming weeks, the effects of the drought could further increase. According to JRC data, in the first half of July 2019, only between 50-80% of the average rainfall fell. Nine EU Member States (PL, FR, ES, CZ, RO, GR, PT, FI and LT) have already asked the European Commission to pay advances for direct payments and rural development up to 70% of commitments to help the agricultural sector affected by drought. Some of these countries have also requested the possibility of abandoning greening measures. On 25/07/2019, the European Commission granted the requests (here). According to French Minister of Agriculture Didier Guillaume, it is necessary to help farmers affected by drought, especially those who have problems with the lack of feed for farm animals. France has therefore allowed its farmers in some areas to mow or have grazed some of the fallow land to tackle the lack of feed. France also asked the European Commission to approve a CAP payment of EUR 1 billion (to be paid on 01/10/2019) to help farmers buy feed for animals.

The European Commission has asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to publish preliminary results of a study on chlopyrif, a widely used fruit and vegetable preservative in Southern Europe. This is probably the first case of an interim report request in EFSA's history. It is requested by the Commission because of the approaching expiry date of the license (end of January 2020) for the use of this substance. Environmental NGOs are fighting against the extension of the license, arguing that the substance causes brain damage in children. If EFSA confirms the suspicion, there will be a non-renewal of the license for the next period. EFSA is due to report by the end of July 2019.

Germany has objected to a possible extension of the license for thiacloprid, an insecticide produced by Bayer Company. Member States' representatives met last week at the European Commission's Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed to discuss a possible extension of the license for the use of this plant protection substance. The Commission presented a document not recommending renewal of the license (document is available here). Thiacloprid would thus become another of the forbidden neonicotinoids. Germany stated that it would vote in favour of not renewing the license in the Commission´s Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed.

French Minister of Agriculture Didier Guillaume announced last week the decision to ban the transport of live animals in regions affected by high temperatures. Animals will not be transported on the hottest parts of the day, i.e. between one and six in the afternoon. The ban will apply until further notice.
More information is available here.