News

In April 2022, conventional milk prices reached higher values than organic milk prices. According to Agreste's statistics, the price of conventional milk rose by 23% in the EU during the year to €406 per 1000 litres, while the price of organic milk fell by 1.8% to €400 per 1000 litres. At the same time, price indices increased by 10.2% for other milk with a protected geographical indication (PGI) and a protected designation of origin (PDO). The share of organic milk production is still growing (although production as such is slightly declining), in April 2022 the share of organic milk in total milk production was 5.8% compared to 5.2% in 2021.
More information is available here.

The United States is considering the possibility of building temporary grain silos on the Polish border with Ukraine to facilitate exports and expand storage capacity. The plan was presented by US President Joe Biden in his speech on 14/06/2022 at the Congress of the American Federation of Labour and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) in Philadelphia.
More information is available here.

Last week, the European Commission published its report on the possible introduction of mirror clauses in the EU's trade agreements with third countries. The aim of the report was to find out whether it was legal and feasible for the European Commission to use its trade instruments to raise international sustainability standards. The report also responds to criticisms that the European Union has no right to dictate to other countries how to produce agricultural commodities and food. The report will be discussed by the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 13/06/2022.
More information is available here.

On 07/06/2022, German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir presented plans to introduce mandatory animal welfare labelling. According to the plan, each product produced and sold in Germany will have to indicate the conditions under which the animals were kept. The rules will be implemented gradually over the next few years. Labelling should help increase farmers' investment in better animal welfare as well as transparency for consumers.
More information is available here and here.

The French government will provide €308.5 million in aid to farmers and fishermen on French territory to deal with the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine. The aid is intended to offset part of the additional feed costs for livestock and fish farmers in France (except Corsica). The measure is part of a plan to strengthen resilience, and farmers can apply for support over the next four months. The plan provides for support for up to 100,000 farmers (up to €35,000 per beneficiary). This is the first instalment of a total package of €489 million, of which €89 million will come from the EU Recovery Fund.
More information is available here.