Between the long-awaited approval of member states’ Widespread Agricultural Coverage plans and looming considerations over fertilisers and fodder, this autumn holds a lot in retailer for the EU’s agriculture sector. EURACTIV’s agrifood staff explores the primary points to maintain your eye on over the following few months.

CAP plans

EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski confirmed on Twitter on Monday (29 August) that we are going to see the primary batch of adoptions of Widespread Agricultural Coverage (CAP) nationwide strategic plans within the first week of September.

By way of these plans, member states will set out an individualised motion plan of how they intend to satisfy the 9 aims of the brand new CAP reform. However the Ukraine battle has disrupted the design and approval strategy of the plans, which have been submitted to the Fee for approval earlier than the invasion. 

The 5 frontrunner member states embody Portugal, Poland, Spain, Denmark, and France, however others are sizzling on their heels, with the EU govt sustaining that every one plans shall be adopted readily for the beginning of the CAP implementation from 1 January 2023. 

Ukraine battle

It’s no secret that, between skyrocketing meals costs, commerce blockages and hovering fertiliser prices, the Ukraine battle has brought about important disruption to the worldwide agrifood sector.

July noticed the sealing of a grain deal between Ukraine and Russia, brokered by Turkey, to facilitate the protected supply of Ukraine grain to the remainder of the world, which has seen the resumption of exports within the Black Sea.

The deal, along with varied insurance policies designed to extend agricultural output, has helped ease strain on the worldwide meals system, leading to a drop in meals costs.

Nevertheless, regardless of this, meals affordability stays a problem as a result of worrying forecasts for the forthcoming sowing season in Ukraine.

This implies considerations over meals safety will proceed to focus totally on susceptible international locations throughout the Center East and Africa, the latter of which has been on the receiving finish of a Russian appeal offensive aiming to persuade international locations that meals shortages usually are not attributable to Russia’s battle, however by sanctions in opposition to Russia. 

Fodder and fertilisers

Issues over the provision and worth of fertilisers are set to proceed effectively into the top of this 12 months, with European fertiliser firms sounding the alarm this week over rocketing gasoline costs, which they are saying have led to curtailment or shutdown of the “majority” of European fertiliser manufacturing.

“An pressing and decisive EU-driven disaster administration motion is required to revive fertiliser manufacturing,” Fertilizers Europe stated in an announcement, stressing that is key to making sure Europe’s long-term meals safety.

In the meantime, the EU has skilled one of many worst droughts this 12 months, with 14 of the 27 member states (Portugal, Italy, Spain, France, Eire, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Croatia) severely affected.

FarmEurope has warned that rapeseed manufacturing, in addition to various different crops, are down, which makes farm accounts “much more fragile”.

Notably, fodder manufacturing is in a “very worrying state”, including one more mounting price for the sector which might threaten the survival of many farmers this autumn.

Carbon removals

In November, the Fee is anticipated to suggest an EU regulatory framework for the certification of carbon removals.

This proposal will element EU guidelines on certifying carbon removals, together with the required guidelines to observe, report and confirm the authenticity of those removals. 

Given their key position in sustaining and enhancing soil natural carbon, this improvement could have a serious impression on EU farmers and on future potential further sources of income. 

Animal transport

On the again of a collection of latest high-profile incidents of livestock being stranded at sea, animal welfare continues to be a key focus of EU agrifood coverage. 

The Fee is getting ready, below the present authorized framework, tertiary laws to enhance official controls on livestock vessels, trying to undertake it at the top of 2022.

Labelling

The EU govt is anticipated to current its proposal on the controversial difficulty of front-of-pack labelling in the direction of the top of the 12 months (see right here for background).

The staunch opposition from southern member states to the frontrunner system, the Nutri-Rating, exhibits no signal of abating anytime quickly.

Most lately, the Italian Competitors Authority, AGCM, introduced that the Nutri-Rating cannot be utilized in Italy, and obliged Carrefour and different distributors utilizing the French vitamin label to withdraw this labelling on its merchandise bought in Italy.

With feelings operating excessive, anticipate sparks to fly on the matter within the run-up to the presentation of the proposal.

Open debates

European lawmakers will begin talks on the Fee’s proposal to slash in half the use and danger of chemical pesticides by 2030, which already acquired harsh criticism from some member states.

Nevertheless, negotiations on the revision of the sustainable use of pesticide regulation are anticipated to take time and be concluded below the Spanish EU presidency within the second half of 2023.

The Fee unveiled in April a proposal to revamp the EU’s meals high quality scheme and lawmakers at the moment are anticipated to return up quickly with a joint set of amendments and seal the reform of the geographical indications (GIs) framework.

MEPs and agriculture ministers are additionally known as to finalise the revision of the EU’s promotion coverage, with which the EU helps sure European foodstuffs to spice up their competitiveness and consumption domestically and internationally.

[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]