News

The European Dairy Association (EDA) sent a letter to President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker on 11/12/2018 in which it describes national systems for labelling the country of origin of foodstuffs and food labelling using a colour scheme as being an obstacle to the functioning of the single market in the European Union; and requests that the Commission does not further support national labelling systems of the country of origin. Despite EDA’s long-term opposition to the adoption of national labelling systems of the country of origin, the Commission has still not heard the requests, and country of origin labelling systems have been introduced in France, Italy, Lithuania, Greece, Finland, Romania, Portugal and Spain. Food labelling using the "Nutriscore" colour scheme is supported in particular by the UK, but Spain, France, Italy, and some large food and beverage producers have also shown support in this matter. However, EDA rejects this labelling, since the rating of many types of lemonade has more positive results than milk (due to the naturally higher fat content of milk). More information available here.

Representatives Committee (COREPER I) approved an agreement on the maximum limit of cadmium in phosphate fertilizers. The 60 mg / kg limit should be introduced 3 years after the EU fertilizer rules come into force. Denmark and Spain were the only countries voting against this approval, Belgium abstained. The agreement requires final approval by a vote at the Plenary Session of the EP, to be held in February 2019.

Brussels Ministerial Conference on African swine fever (ASF) will take place on 19/12/2018. The Commissioner for Food Safety and Health Vytenis Andriukaitis, Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella, and representatives of the Austrian Presidency (Environment, Labour and Social Affairs, Health and Food Safety) will attend the meeting as well as the Belgian agriculture Minister Denis Ducarne and the Czech Deputy Minister of Agriculture Patrik Mlynář. The conference will be attended by representatives of non-governmental organizations incl. the largest European agricultural organizations Copa and Cogeca.

On 13/12/2018, the European Commission approved an offer to sell more than 60,000 tonnes of skimmed-milk powder from intervention stocks within the 29th wave of intervention sales. Since the opening of intervention sales in December 2016, it is the largest volume approved for sale. According to the Commission, about 100,000 tonnes of skimmed-milk powder are currently in intervention stocks; all stocks in public warehouses in Poland, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic have already been exhausted. Tenders for the next tendering process may be submitted until 08/01/2019.

The Commission issued on 12.12.2018 the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1957 from 11 December 2018 amending the Regulation (EU) no. 885/2010 regarding the conditions of the permit of narasin and nicarbazin preparations as a feed additive for chickens for fattening (holder of authorization Eli Lilly and company Ltd). Available here.

The Commission issued on 13.12.2018 the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1967 from 12 December 2018 amending the Regulation (EU) no. 37/2010 for the purpose of classification of substances paromomycin by the maximum residue levels (MRL). Available here.

The Commission issued on 14/12/2018 the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1980 from 13 December 2018 amending the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2325 regarding the conditions for the authorization of liquid lecithin preparations, hydrolysed lecithins and lecithins oil-free used as additives for all animal species. Available here.

The Commission issued on 14/12/2018 the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1981 from 13 December 2018, which in accordance with the Regulation No 1107/2009 of the EP and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market renews the approval of the active substances of the copper compound as substances to be replaced and amends the Annex to the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011. Available here.