News

During the Council for Agriculture and Fisheries on 28/01/2018, the SK delegation, with the support of CZ, BG, HU, HR and PL, requested the Romanian Presidency and the EC to provide up-to-date information on the state of discussion of the draft directive which also addresses the issue of dual product quality. Commissioner for Justice, Consumer Protection and Gender Equality, Vera Jourova called on the Ministers of the Member States to come up with the EC soon to find a solution to the problem. Romania is trying to reach an agreement in the EU Council within the framework of its Presidency as soon as possible so that the trilogue with the EP and the EC can be launched in February 2019.
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Agriculture ministers during the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries of 28/01/2018 rejected a proposal to amend the Regulation on the common organization of agricultural markets, which included lifting the ban on producing wine from 6 hybrid varieties (Noah, Othello, Isabelle, Jacquez, Clinton, Herbemont). The rejection was supported by BG, HR, CY, FR, EL, HU, IT, MT, PT, SK, SI, ES, CZ, DE, AT, NL. With a view to preserve the traditions and quality of European wines. According to the HU Minister for Agriculture, it would have a negative impact on the production of high quality wines produced in the EU.
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During the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 28/01/2018, the agriculture ministers supported the increase in protein crop production in the EU, thereby reducing the EU's dependence on imports. The Council of Ministers discussed the Statements submitted by the HR, CY, CZ, FR, GR, HU, SK and SI Member States that promoted the need for an Action Protein Plan. The above Member States welcomed the report on the development of the protein crop sector in the EU, published by the Commission on 22/11/2018. FR, at the Council meeting, presented a declaration supported by CY, CZ, GR, HU, SI and SK calling for an EU action plan, supported by NL, DK, PL, EE, LU, LV, HR, SI, AT and DE. A study on the situation on the protein crop market should be published by the Commission in February 2019.
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On 30/01/2019, the European Commission and Argentina reached an agreement on exporting countries of subsidized biodiesel from Argentina to the EU. The adoption of anti-subsidy measures in the form of a minimum price has been accepted by the EU Member States. Major Argentine producers have agreed with the European Commission's proposal and will not import biodiesel at prices lower than the minimum price (the exact price is still hidden). Any duties on biodiesel which do not meet the minimum price conditions will be levied. According to the statement of the Argentine Foreign Ministry, price limits and volumes will be set in agreement with the EU to be announced in February 2019.
On 31/01/2019, the largest European agricultural organization Copa and Cogeca expressed the concerns of the parties that the EC decision to authorize the import quota for imports of biodiesel from Argentina to the EU at a minimum price, the quota should reach 1.2 million tons. Copa and Cogeca calls for fair competition between the Argentinian and European biodiesel sectors and, in the event of a breach of the agreement by Argentina, calls for the possibility of immediate cancellation of the agreement and the introduction of a general tariff of 30% for all imports of biodiesel from Argentina.
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On 29/01/2019, The European Commission recognized soy from the US as a source suitable for the production of biofuels in the EU. According to the EC declaration of soy, the US meets the sustainability criteria of the EU directive on renewable energy. The permit is valid until July 2021, when new, undefined EU rules on renewable energy will come into force. The EC said in its statement that the decision does not increase the share of biofuels counted in the EU's renewable energy targets.
More information is available here.