Europatat, European Potato Trade Association
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Inside this issue:

Activities Europatat

Agricultural Policy

Plant Health Policy

Food Safety

Market Access

Trade Policy

Sustainability

Quality Policy

Other

  
 

Reminder: AGM 2020 voting form to be returned by 22 June
Activities Europatat

Following the announced calendar for the Europatat AGM of 29 June 2020 to be held via written procedure, members have now received directly by email the voting form which needs to be completed, signed and returned to the Europatat Office by email or fax by not later than 22nd June 2020. Under the rules of the written procedure all decisions require unanimity, so we thank you in advance for your collaboration in completing this process as swiftly as possible.

 

EU Task Force for Relations with the UK letter to Europatat
Activities Europatat

Europatat has received an official answer (see attached) by the EU Task Force for Relations with the UK, run by chief negotiator Michel Barnier, to our letter of 26 February to several commission services dealing with Brexit and/or potatoes.

We would like to highlight the following paragraphs:

  • The unprecedented level of ambition in terms of access to the EU's Single Market (zero tariffs and zero quotas for all goods) will require corresponding guarantees on level playing field to ensure fair competition and the protection of social, environmental and climate standards.
  • However, it is not certain whether such an agreement will be concluded at the end of the transition period.
  • For these reasons reason, since the autumn of 2017, the Commission has been calling upon stakeholders to prepare for the significant changes that leaving the Internal Market and the EU Customs Union bring about.
  • Companies have to take now the operational decisions now to mitigate the impact of the end of the transition period.

 

Related document

Coronavirus monitoring
Activities Europatat

AGRICULTURE

State aid - Belgium:  The Flemish Minister for agriculture and the Flemish government have decided to foresee € 10 million from the Flemish corona emergency fund to support potato farmers who have suffered important income losses with their “free potatoes” (potatoes which have not been contracted). Those farmers, with high amounts of free potatoes in their storages which need be distributed by food banks,  to be used as cattle feed or to be transformed into green electricity through biomethanisation, will receive a support to cover these losses caused by the Coronacrisis. This support for potato growers is part of a € 35 mio package, supporting as well the ornamental as the potato sector in the Flemish region. Up to now no such actions have been foreseen for the potato growers in the Brussels Capital or the Walloon region. Agriculture is a regional competence in Belgium.

Report - Impacts of COVID-19 on the Global Agriculture Community: COVID-19 and the associated lockdowns have had a huge impact on the global agriculture industry and food chain, bringing a number of challenges, as well as opportunities for growth. This combined interactive report from New Ag International and Informa Connect Life Sciences explores these impacts through original survey data from the industry and a video panel discussion featuring some of the top figures in the global agriculture.

TRADE

The European Commission has published the following regulations:

  • Regulation 2020/714 as regards the use of electronic documentation for the performance of official controls and other official activities and the period of application of temporary measures. The regulation provides that: 1) Official Controls may be performed on copy of the original certificate; 2) Official controls may be performed on electronic data submitted via TRACES. The regulation will apply as of the 1st of June 2020 and continue to apply until 1st of August 2020.
  • Regulation 2020/697, to allow managing ports or the related competent authority to provide flexibility in respect of levying port infrastructure charges in the context of the Covid-19 outbreak. The new regulation allows ports or managing competent authorities to waive, suspend, reduce or defere the payment of port infrastructure charges due for the period from 1st of March 2020 to 31st of October 2021.
  • Regulation 2020/698 laying down specific temporary measures in view of the Covid-19 outbreak on certain certificates, licenses and postponement of certain periodic checks and periodic training in certain areas of transport legislation. The new legislation provides for the extension of: time limits for certificates of professional competence; driving licenses & necessary trainings; time limits for necessary inspections; time limits for roadworthiness tests; and time period for declaration of financial standing.

Video conference of Trade Ministers held on 9th June 2020: EU Trade Ministers discussed on 9 June EU Trade policy post-Covid 19 and World Trade Organisation matters:

  • On EU trade, Commissioner Phil hogan announced that the European Commission will launch a review of the European Trade Policy including a public consultation process. In this sense, Hogan will be participating in an online Civil Society Dialogue on 16 June from 12h to 13h (you can register here). The public debate on this review will be guided by a short consultation paper which will set out a series of questions. The focus will be around the ‘open strategic autonomy’ of the EU. On EU-US trade relations, Commissioner reported that he has been in regular contact with USTR Lighthizer over the last several weeks. Commission made proposals for a closer cooperation in the context of Covid-19 (the “Five Principles” paper of late April). Unfortunately, the US has not shown a lot of interest in engaging on these issues, at least to this point and focus is on domestic policy.
  • Commissioner Hogan answering questions from journalists at the end of the press conference said that they still expect the WTO panel on arbitration on aircraft by July 2020. Member States will be consulted before any enforcement action is taken. The Commission will carefully calibrate its proposal to make the best use of whatever level of retaliation is authorised by the WTO, with a selection of products where the EU can exert pressure on the US without causing problems for our own industry. Majority of Member States voiced support on a single EU candidate to the position of Director General of the WTO. Answering questions from journalists, Commissioner Hogan mentioned that he was still in reflection stage as for his own candidacy. For the detailed intervention of Commissioner Hogan, please see here.

Commission’s second report on impact on coronavirus on EU trade: According to the updated Commission estimates, the coronavirus pandemic will result in a decrease in global trade between 10%-16% in 2020. For the EU27, the predicted reduction is expected to be between 9% and 15% for exports, and 11% and 14% for imports from non-EU countries (goods and services combined). The increasing spread of the virus has prompted many countries to temporarily shut down businesses, and restrict travel and the movement of people. These measures will lead to sharp contractions in the level of economic output, household spending, investment and international trade. Go to related site

CELCAA recommendations for the economic recovery post- covid19: CELCAA, the European Liaison Committee for the Agricultural and Agri-food Trade of which Europatat is a member, has developed a document (attached here below) that outlines the association’s views and priorities on trade in light of the EU post Covid-19 strategy. To support EU agri-food traders in their crucial role to ensure food security in the EU and worldwide, CELCAA calls on EU institutions and national leaders to:

EVENTS

Potato Europe 2020 is cancelled: Due to the international Covid-19 pandemic of recent months and the ensuing crisis, Potato Europe's organisers have taken the decision to cancel the exhibition planned for 2 and 3 September 2020 at Villers-Saint-Christophe in France. The next edition of Potato Europe will take place in September 2021 in the Netherlands.

New dates for Interpom 2020: The 20th edition of Interpom in Kortrijk Xpo (Belgium) will go ahead but opening days have been changed to Monday 23, Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 November 2020. According to the organisers, this change will allow to limit the number of visitors per day and to control the flow of visitors in accordance with the limits that will be in place in November 2020.

 

Related document

Policy reactions to Farm to Fork Strategy
Agricultural Policy

Video conference of EU Agriculture Ministers: On 8 June, EU Agriculture Ministers held a virtual exchange of views on the Farm to Fork and the Biodiversity strategies, which were recently adopted by the European Commission. In particular, ministers exchanged views on the main challenges and opportunities in achieving the strategies' targets and whether the new proposal for the EU budget 2021 - 2027, including the new European Recovery Instrument (see Circular 10/2020), is adequately designed to fulfil the ambition of the new strategies:

  • Ministers welcomed both the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies and the ambition to strengthen the role of farmers in the supply chain. However, they expressed concerns that the efforts made to reach the goals designed to limit the use of pesticides and antibiotics may reduce EU farmers' competitiveness in the global market. They also asked the Commission to take into account specific national circumstances. In particular, Eastern countries stressed that the target to reduce entrants are ambitious but that ‘one policy does not fit all’. The phyto industry should be first able to supply alternative to the current pesticides and fertilisers used by farmers, they stated. Some countries also stressed that they have already done efforts - such as increasing organic land, and that these efforts should also be taken into consideration.
  • Ministers also stressed that the ambitious goals of these two strategies had to be matched by an ambitious budget. Many delegations expressed their concerns that insufficient funds may put at risk the financial viability of EU farmers and stressed that the proposed CAP budget allocations were not in line with the strategies' targets. Germany, who is taking the Council’s presidency after Croatia, mentioned that an appropriate budget should be made available for farmers to accompany them in the transition and to meet the challenges of the EU Green Deal.

Prior to the videoconference on 8 June, the Council’s Presidency published a background note on the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies that is available here.

CELCAA’s preliminary views of EU agri-food trade on F2F: CELCAA, the European Liaison Committee for the Agricultural and Agri-food Trade of which Europatat is a member, has developed a document (attached here below) where it compiles the views of EU agri-food trade on the Farm to Fork Strategy. CELCAA considers that the Farm to Fork Strategy “should converge with the economic recovery of the EU post-Covid 19, including the consolidation of the EU Single Market and the EU as an ambitious trade partner”. According to CELCAA, the Strategy fails to mention the role of the trade as a fundamental element of the food supply chain – from primary producers to end-consumers. CELCAA therefore calls on the Commission and European institutions to “recognise the essential role trade plays in contributing to food security and its role in a successful transition towards more sustainable food systems”.

 

Related document

ECA’s report - CAP has not halted decline of biodiversity losses
Agricultural Policy

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has published a special report entitled “Biodiversity on farmland: CAP contribution has not halted the decline” on which it assesses the contribution made by the Common Agriculture Policy to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. The two main findings of the report are:

  1. There is a lack of coordination between EU policies and strategies. As a result, they do not address the decline in genetic diversity.
  2. The Commission’s tracking of CAP spending for biodiversity is unreliable because of methodological weaknesses.
  3. Where known, the effect of CAP direct payments – 70 % of EU agriculture spending – on farmland biodiversity is limited. Some direct payment requirements, notably greening, and cross-compliance, have potential to improve biodiversity, but the Commission and Member States have favoured low-impact options.

More specifically, the report examines the EU’s efforts to achieve EU’s 2020 biodiversity targets and provides recommendations to feed into the current legislative preparations for the 2021-2027 CAP and the implementation of the new EU biodiversity strategy post-2020. The ECA recommends that the Commission:

  • Improves coordination and design for the post-2020 EU biodiversity strategy and tracks expenditure more accurately;
  • Enhances the contribution of direct payments to farmland biodiversity;
  • Increases the contribution of rural development to farmland biodiversity;
  • and develops reliable indicators to assess the impact of the CAP on farmland biodiversity.

The European Commission has accepted the report’s recommendations. In its reply, the Commission states that the new CAP’s proposal “takes stock of the strengths and weaknesses of CAP instruments and includes a consistent and strengthened framework.” The future policy framework will provide “a range of instruments that can contribute to supporting biodiversity,” it adds. The Commission also protests that “there are other causes of biodiversity loss in Europe than agriculture intensification.” 

 

Standing Committee on Plant Health
Plant Health Policy

The agenda of the Standing Committee on Plant Health taking place on 15 & 16 June is available. Under points A (for information and/or discussion) the agenda includes the request by Belarus for a derogation from the import prohibition for ware potatoes.

 

ePhyto Hub updates
Plant Health Policy

The IPPC ePhyto Solution is an initiative to encourage the implementation of electronic certification by IPPC Contracting Parties to facilitate safe trade in a more expeditious, transparent, reliable, digital and paperless manner. ISPM 12 is the international standard that establishes the basic foundations for e-phyto.

The ePhyto and industry engagement leaflet has now been updated and translated into French and Spanish. The documents are available here.

Monthly report for May (attached): there is a considerable increase in the number of production certificates sent throughout the month.

High level meeting with FAO: The Industry Advisory Group (IAG), of which Europatat is a member, had a (virtual) meeting on 5 June with high level representatives including FAO’s Deputy Director General, Beth Bechdol. She was very supportive of the group efforts as the ePhyto IAG and she mentioned a number of times that the group will have the chance to work with her again. She is also helping to lead a re-set of the FAO Private Sector Partnerships Strategy that will be agreed by the end of the year. She likes the idea of involving start-ups and other companies that are innovators in the use of technology. ePhyto lessons learnt:

  • Nearly 90 countries are now registered with ePhyto and 42 are fully active (helped by EU coming online with TRACES).
  • USA sees the Covid19 crisis as being an impetus for faster adoption of ePhyto. Pre-Covid19, USA was exchanging ePhyto with 13 countries, today that number is 40.
  • In China, ePhyto is now being administered by the customs authority. The representative stated that progress in China “is not that fast” but the country “will keep pushing forward ePhyto gradually”.
  • In India, an “industry push” is needed to communicate the need to adopt ePhyto
  • ASEAN countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines) are slowing down despite initial strong enthusiasm 3-4 years ago, resources instead are being spent on a regional Single Window. Myanmar is however on track.
  • Argentina and Chile are now fully paperless.
  • In Argentina, SENASA is already working with a company to test the industry “Channel”.
  • The leaders of the project (the ePhyto Steering Group - eSG) sees that work with industry is “the most important aspect” of their work.

 

Related document

Chlorpropham updates
Food Safety

Monitoring & Sampling protocol for residues: The Potato Value Chain (PVC), including Europatat, has designed a draft monitoring plan and sampling protocols for testing CIPC residues. As part of obtaining a temporary MRL (tMRL), a sampling protocol for testing CIPC residues is needed to:

  • Demonstrate compliance to the future tMRL (which main goal is to ensure consumer safety)
  • Demonstrate leadership towards EU and national authorities on managing CIPC residues
  • Act self-regulatory instead of awaiting external limitations from non-potato expert (current standard sampling procedure (Directive 2002/63/EC) not fully adapted)
  • Goal is to find representative samples, avoiding extreme values
  • Need to find a reliable, workable, easy-to-understand compromise between growers and users/processors.
  • Ensure a fair procedure for all parties that could eventually be validated by third party quality organisations.
  • Standard to be endorsed by authorities (for control) and for legal transaction in potato value chain

The document, which has been shared with the European Commission for consideration with Member States authorities, is work in progress and a number of elements are still open-ended, for example the sampling types or the scale of the monitoring plan in each country.

EFSA Reasoned opinion on temporary MRL: The EFSA Reasoned opinion on the setting of temporary maximum residue levels for chlorpropham in potatoes has now been published. Based on the assessment of the available data and information with different methodologies, EFSA derived optional tMRL proposals of 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mg/kg.

This now needs to be further considered by risk managers (European Commission and Member States). As already informed, CIPC is in the agenda of the Standing Committee, that is taking place on 15 - 16 June 2020, for discussion. The vote could take place in September.

Cleaning guidelines available in Spanish: The PVC cleaning guidelines have now also been translated into Spanish and are available in the dedicated Europatat dropbox address.

 

Chlorate - temporary MRLs
Food Safety

The European Commission has published Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/749 as regards maximum residue levels for chlorate in foods. This Regulation addresses the setting of temporary maximum levels in food. Temporary MRLs for chlorate according to the ALARA principle are based on the 95th percentile of the occurrence data, taking into account the use of legitimately treated drinking water in food processing. The temporary MRLs should be reviewed at the latest within five years of publication of this Regulation (by 8 June 2025) in the light of possible developments in the area of hygiene, of drinking water, further progress made by food business operators to bring chlorate levels down, or whenever new information and data become available that would warrant an earlier review. The Commission consulted the European Union reference laboratories on appropriate limits of determination (LODs) for chlorate residues in certain specific commodities.

For potatoes the temporary MRL has been fixed at 0,05 mg/kg.

 

Active substances
Food Safety

The European Commission has published Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/785 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for chromafenozide, fluometuron, pencycuron, sedaxane, tau-fluvalinate and triazoxide in or on certain products. For potatoes, a 0,02 mg/kg MRL has been added for Sedaxane (sum of isomers)

 

Roadmap for the revision of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive
Food Safety

The European Commission has published a combined roadmap for the evaluation of the EU legislation on the sustainable use of pesticides and an inception impact assessment for the possible revision of this legislation. This initiative is one of the ambitious actions on pesticides foreseen by the Farm to Fork strategy responding to the commitment undertaken as part of the EU´s Green Deal to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides in order to address important public concerns. Citizens, experts and stakeholders are invited to give their feedback by 7 August 2020 on the combined roadmap and inception impact assessment to help to define the further elements of this planned initiative.

 

Transparency Regulation
Food Safety

Europatat participated in the virtual Ad hoc meeting of the Advisory Group on the Implementation of the Transparency Regulation, held on 5 June 2020. The meeting included the following points:

  • A brief introduction to Transparency Regulation with focus on implementation actions
  • An update on EFSA Practical arrangements, including information about ATD/Aarhus, a state of play of transparency/confidentiality, pre-submission phase and PPPs practical arrangements
  • A state of play of COM implementing acts

The presentations given in the meeting have now been published.

 

EU Pesticide Renewal Monitor
Food Safety

The quarterly ‘EU Pesticide Renewal Monitor’ sponsored by CropLife International (CLI) and prepared by BryantChristie Inc. It is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and these versions as well as previous versions are also available online.

Please note that:

  • This report has been created to support governments, farmers and the agri-food value chain to better understand which active substances are currently undergoing the pesticide renewal process in the EU
  • When active substance authorisations are changed or not renewed, this often results in the associated MRLs being either lowered, or revoked and set to the default of 0.01mg/kg
  • A Q&A document is included at the end of the Monitor document. Various links to further information are included in the report itself, and the Q&A
  • It remains the case that compound specific questions should be addressed directly to the Company/ Companies holding the registration (and ECPA can help identify contacts should these not be known to you)

 

Guidance - hygiene rules for small retailers, also when donating food
Food Safety

The European Commission has published a Notice providing guidance on food safety management systems for food retail activities, including food donation. This initiative aims to support small businesses such as butchers, bakeries, groceries and ice-cream shops in their implementation of EU rules to ensure the safe production of food sold to the consumer. The guidance proposes a simple way of implementing these EU requirements. It underlines the value of good hygiene practices that could be sufficient in small retail shops, saving operators from the (quite complicated) procedures based on the hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) principles. Food safety remains ensured by the guidance, which is largely based on two scientific opinions of the European Food Safety Authority.

Building on the EU food donation guidelines, adopted in 2017, the guidance further facilitates food donation by making recommendations on some simple additional good hygiene practices that contribute to ensuring the safe redistribution of food. Food donation can present specific food safety challenges given that food which is redistributed may be approaching the end of its shelf-life and the extension of the food supply chain to additional actors (e.g. food banks and other charities). In context of the increased demand for food donation linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, this new guidance provides timely support for all actors involved. More generally, the Notice perfectly fits with the recently adopted Commission Farm to Fork Strategy, because of the favourable effect it can have on reducing waste and promoting food security by facilitating safe food donation practices.

Further information:

 

EFSA Highlights
Food Safety

Monitoring and tackling genetic selection in the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida: The PalAdapt project funded by EFSA represents the first step of a European battle plan against the emergence of virulent G. pallida populations and aims at improving the methods and tools for a fast identification of virulence outbreaks. The project involved 8 scientists from three academic partners (INRAE, France; JKI, Germany; WU, Netherlands) belonging to the top 3 potato producing countries in Europe. In order to disseminate knowledge and provide recommendations to the potato sector, the consortium conducted knowledge dissemination actions through the organisation of a workshop, the distribution of electronic newsletters to a network of 17 French, German and Dutch stakeholders and the presentation of poster and  communications  during  national  or  international  nematology  meetings.  EFSA  has now published an external scientific  report  that intends  to  achieve  a  complete  and  broader  dissemination  of  the  results  obtained during the project.

Webinar: High-risk plants – how does the EU carry out risk assessment of plant commodities?: This webinar aims to explain to the general public the rationale for Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 and to support NPPOs from third countries in further improving the quality of their dossiers. After one year of experience in risk assessment of high-risk plants, EFSA’s scientists have gained important experience that we would like to share with our stakeholders. The webinar is also part of EFSA’s contribution to the International Year of Plant Health. During the webinar, participants may submit questions which EFSA will answer orally and in writing after the presentation. EFSA will publish a recording of the webinar.

World Food Safety Day celebrated on 7 June: The second World Food Safety Day (WFSD) was celebrated on 7 June 2020 to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. Under the theme “Food safety, everyone’s business”, the action oriented campaign has promoted global food safety awareness and call upon countries and decision makers, the private sector, civil society, UN organizations and the general public to take action. EFSA’s Executive Director, Bernhard Url, said: “For World Food Safety Day 2020 we want to focus on three important features of the EU food safety system – implementing a One Health approach, sustainable food systems and the shared responsibility of food safety.” To celebrate the WFSD, EFSA hosted a Twitter Q&A live session on 8 June together with Codex Alimentarius, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Health Organization.

Video report - Plant protection products and their residues: Find out about the latest adoptions and discussions by EFSA’s expert Panel on Plant Protection Products (pesticides) and their Residues on this video.

Consultations:

Other publications:

 

Brexit updates
Market Access

EU-UK trade negotiations: On the EU-UK high level meeting held this afternoon, there has been the EU Declaration and the UK Declaration published. Main elements of the Declaration:

  • The Parties noted the UK’s decision not to request any extension to the transition period. The transition period will therefore end on 31 December 2020, in line with the provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement.
  • The Parties agreed nevertheless that new momentum was required.
  • Intensification of the talks in July and to create the most conducive conditions for concluding and ratifying a deal before the end of 2020. This should include, if possible, finding an early understanding on the principles underlying any agreement.

UK accelerates border planning for the end of the Transition Period: Following a meeting with the Withdrawal Joint Committee, the UK has formally notified the EU that it will neither accept or seek any extension to the Transition Period. However, coronavirus has had an unprecedented impact on all aspects of life and because of this DEFRA is introducing border controls in stages for EU goods imported into GB to give businesses more time to prepare. The stages are:

  • From January 2021: Traders importing standard goods, covering everything from clothes to electronics, will need to prepare for basic customs requirements, such as keeping sufficient records of imported goods, and will have up to six months to complete customs declarations. While tariffs will need to be paid on all imports, payments can be deferred until the customs declaration has been made. There will be checks on controlled goods like alcohol and tobacco. Businesses will also need to consider how they account for VAT on imported goods. There will also be physical checks at the point of destination on all high risk live animals and a proportion of low-risk live animals.
  • From April 2021: All products of animal origin (POAO) – for example meat, pet food, honey, milk or egg products – and all regulated plants and plant products will also require pre-notification and the relevant health documentation.
  • From July 2021: Traders moving all goods will have to make declarations at the point of importation and pay relevant tariffs. Full Safety and Security declarations will be required, while for SPS commodities there will be an increase in physical checks and the taking of samples: checks for animals, plants and their products will now take place at GB Border Control Posts.

The UK Government commits to building new border facilities in Great Britain for carrying out required checks, such as customs compliance, transit, and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks, as well as providing targeted support to ports to build new infrastructure.

EU agri-food chain warns of ‘growing risk’ of no UK-EU trade deal: Coinciding with the 4th round of EU-UK trade negotiations, a joint statement (attached below) was released by Copa and Cogeca, FoodDrinkEurope and Celcaa (agri-food trade platform of which Europatat is a member). The statement stresses the deep concerns of the agri-food with regards to the lack of progress of EU-UK negotiations, and regrets the lack of willingness of the UK to extend the transition period.

Briefing - Three critical issues in EU-UK relations: The European Parliament Think Tank has published a summary of the state of EU-UK negotiations on a new partnership agreement, which would come into effect at the end of the transition period, scheduled for 31 December 2020. As far as negotiations on the future economic relationship are concerned, while the parties agree in principle on an exceptional zero-tariff and zero-quota comprehensive and balanced free trade agreement (FTA) aiming for as 'frictionless' trade as possible, they still disagree on major aspects of the economic partnership, especially fisheries and level playing-field (LPF) commitments. Read more here.

 

Related document

EU-Vietnam FTA ratification process
Trade Policy

On 15 June, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) was published in the EU Official Journal after Vietnamese lawmakers adopted resolutions ratifying the agreement during a plenary sitting of the 14th National Assembly’s ninth session in Hanoi on 8 June. In terms of process, Vietnam still needs to notify the EU that its internal process has been completed (the EU has already done so). Once this notification is received, the Commission will confirm the date of entry into force of the agreements, which is expected for the 1st of August. Tariff liberalisation will apply on products declared at imports as from the first day of implementation. Goods en route or in transit will benefit from trade liberalisation once declared at customs on the date of entry - this is also valid for goods in hubs.

In parallel, the Commission published in the Official Journal of 11 June a Notice to exporters concerning the application of the REX system in the European Union for the purpose of its Free Trade Agreement with Vietnam.

 

EU-Chile trade negotiations
Trade Policy

The European Commission has published the report summarising progress made during the seventh round of negotiations for the modernisation of the Trade part of the EU-Chile Association Agreement took place from 25 to 29 May. According to the Commission, there was “good progress” in a significant number of chapters, including parts of the services chapter, rules of origin, technical barriers to trade, good regulatory practices, public procurement, institutional provisions and some intellectual property rights (IPR) provisions. The “useful progress” in chapters on sanitary and phytosanitary issues (SPS), transparency, anticorruption and customs and trade facilitation have as a result that these chapters are now “very well advanced”. There were also constructive discussions on financial services, investment, investment court system, geographical indications, trade in goods, state owned enterprises, subsidies, competition, trade and sustainable development, trade and gender, energy and raw materials. Considerable work is, however, “still needed” for these chapters. The next round is scheduled for September (exact dates to be confirmed).

 

February agri-food trade report: slight slowdown in EU trade growth
Trade Policy

The latest monthly EU agri-food trade report published by the European Commission shows that during the first month of the coronavirus spread in the EU, in February 2020, the monthly value of the EU27 agri-food trade (exports + imports) reached €24.9 billion – 3% more than in February 2019. Overall, EU agri-food exports attained a similar value as in the previous month. Despite no clear impact yet by the coronavirus outbreak in the month of February, growth of EU27 exports to China was driven by exceptionally high exports of pig meat, infant food and offal meat. General EU27 export values to Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Russia also increased. However, EU27 export values to the UK and to the U.S. decreased compared with February 2019. With the increasing export values and somewhat weaker growth in imports, the EU trade surplus for the 12-month period from March 2019 to February 2020 was 20% higher than in March 2018 - February 2019 and has reached €10.42 billion.

 

Study - Blockchain for supply chains and international trade
Trade Policy

This study provides an analysis of blockchain technology in the context of international trade. It analyses the potential impacts of blockchain development and applications in eight use cases for supply chains and international trade. It also provides an analysis of the current legislative framework and existing initiatives. Based on this analysis, and following a broad consultation of relevant organisations, the study identifies several challenges in international trade documentation and processes, and presents a range of policy options for the European Parliament.

 

Study - Impact of trade on EU’s biodiversity
Trade Policy

This study analyses how international trade impacts on EU biodiversity, importing invasive species and pathogens as an example. According to the study authors, trade also impacts global biodiversity, for instance through the 'virtual' water, land, and deforestation contained in EU imports. Economic theory shows that trade with countries that fail to protect a renewable resource can be detrimental for all. Protecting global biodiversity calls for a variety of instruments, at the EU border as well as in the provisions of preferential agreements. Although the EU already includes biodiversity-related non-trade provisions in trade agreements, these provisions are not legally binding and hardly effective, say authors. This is partly explained by the complexity of the issues posed by biodiversity: since there is no simple synthetic indicator, policy instruments are difficult to enforce. The study concludes that  an effort to specify measurable and verifiable commitments is needed as well as more binding mechanisms, along with transparent and automatic sanctions in case of non-compliance.

 

Europatat attends 8th meeting of EU Platform Food Loss and Waste
Sustainability

On 15 June Europatat attended the 8th meeting of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste. European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety opened the Platform plenary meeting telling Platform members that they must build on the solidary and momentum gained to prevent food waste during the COVID-19 pandemic to reach the SDG 12.3 target of halving food waste per capita by 2030. The European Commission made a presentation on the Farm to Fork Strategy, summarising its main objectives and measures. Regarding food losses and waste, the two flagship initiatives under the Strategy are:

  • The setting of binding targets for food waste reduction in 2023 based on Member State’s measurements using the new harmonised methodology;
  • Revision of EU rules for date marking (‘use by’ and ‘best before’) by 2022 following full impact assessment and public consultation.

During the online meeting, FAO presented the proclamation of the first International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, which will take place on 29 September 2020. The day will be a call to action for both public and private stakeholders to promote, harness and scale up innovation and technologies to stem the problem of food loss and waste. A media toolkit should be available in June for those wanting to disseminate the event. In the afternoon, stakeholders presented food waste prevention initiatives carried out in the past months relating to the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. the redistribution of potatoes to food banks in Belgium).

The Draft regulation amending Regulation amending the Annexes to Regulation EC 852/2004 on hygiene of foodstuffs as regards food allergen management, redistribution of food and food safety culture was presented. A new Chapter is to be included, Chapter Va in Annex II “Redistribution of food – purpose to redistribute food surplus for human consumption, where safe to do so, to ensure the highest value use of edible food resources while preventing food waste”, which applies to all products after primary production. This is likely to be published in Q4 2020.

All meeting presentations will be available on the Platform’s website soon.

 

Report – Consumers’ survey on attitudes towards sustainable food
Sustainability

Between October and November 2019, BEUC, The European Consumer Organisation, carried out a survey together with 12 of its member organisations across 11 EU countries to investigate consumer attitudes towards sustainable food. The key findings of the study have now published in a report:

  1. Consumers tend to underestimate the environmental impact of their own eating habits, although there is some awareness about the impact of food habits in general.
  2. Overall, when it comes to food, consumers primarily see ‘sustainable’ as a synonym for environmentally friendly, without GMOs and pesticides, and local, with some specificities across countries.
  3. Over half of consumers say that sustainability concerns have some influence (42.6%) or a lot of influence (16.6%) on their eating habits. Price, lack of information and the challenge of identifying sustainable food options as well as their limited availability are the main perceived barriers to sustainable eating.
  4. Two thirds of consumers are open to changing their eating habits for environmental reasons, with many willing to waste less food at home, to buy more seasonal fruit and vegetables and to eat more plant-based foods.
  5. Slightly over 40% of consumers say they have either stopped eating red meat or have cut down due to environmental concerns.
  6. Whilst they have little appetite for insects and cultured meat, consumers are more likely to consider plant-based ‘burgers’ (if made without GMOs) and traditional vegetarian foods (e.g. pulses) as alternative sources of protein.
  7. Over one third of consumers (38.9%) would support regulations obliging farmers and food producers to meet more stringent sustainability standards. Even more (53%) agree that farmers should be given incentives (e.g. through subsidies) to produce food more sustainably.
  8. Most consumers (57%) want sustainability information to be compulsory on food labels. However, the idea of taxing less sustainable food is not very popular with consumers (only 1 in 4 agree that less sustainable food should be taxed more).
  9. Finally, consumers expect their governments to take leadership in promoting sustainable food production and consumption. They also want the EU to stick to its current level of ambition on food sustainability, regardless of whether or not other countries around the world are doing the same.

 

Briefing - The EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy
Sustainability

Following the presentation of the Communication on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 on 20 May 2020 (see Circular 10/2020), the European Parliament’s services have published a briefing note that provides background elements on the EU Biodiversity policy, presents the key features of its new strategy and analyses its potential effects on the CAP and the upcoming national strategic plans.

 

EU imports of organic agri-food products - Key developments in 2019
Quality Policy

The European Commission has published a report describing EU28 data on EU imports of agri-food products in 2019 in terms of origin and destination, as well as product categories. While the EU market of organic agri-food products continues its growth, organic imports remained stable between 2018 and 2019. In 2019, the EU imported 3.24 million tonnes of organic agri-food products, a slight increase of 0.4% compared to 2018. Regarding potatoes (page 5 of the report), 28 thousand tons were imported in 2019, a 16.1% down than in 2018.

Overall, changes were observed in the ranking of the main trading partners with Colombia and Kazakhstan entering the top ten suppliers of organic products to the EU. The main importing EU Member States in 2019 were the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany.

 

European Parliament reform of road transport sector
Other

On 8 June, the European Parliament’s Transport Committee (TRAN) endorsed the deal reached with EU ministers on a major reform of the road transport sector. The revised rules for posting of drivers, drivers’ rest times and better enforcement of cabotage rules (i.e. transport of goods carried out by non-resident hauliers on a temporary basis in a host member state) aim to put an end to distortion of competition in the road transport sector and provide better rest conditions for drivers, among them:

  • Companies will have to organise their timetables so that drivers in international freight transport are able to return home at regular intervals (every three or four weeks depending on the work schedule).
  • The mandatory rest period at the end of the week, known as regular weekly rest, cannot be taken in the truck cab. If this rest period is taken away from home, the company must pay for accommodation costs.
  • Vehicle tachographs will be used to register border-crossings in order to tackle fraud.
  • Given that vans are increasingly used to provide international transport services, using light commercial vehicles of over 2.5 tonnes will also be subject to EU norms for transport operators, including equipping the vans with a tachograph.

Next steps: The EP’s Plenary will vote on the reform during its July session. The rules on posting will apply 18 months after the entry into force of the legal act. The rules on rest times, including the return of drivers, will apply 20 days after publication of the act. Rules on return of trucks and other changes to market access rules will apply 18 months after the entry into force of the act on market access.

 

  
 

This Circular contains information for the personal use of Europatat members only, and must not be further disseminated to non-members. Europatat members are kindly invited to inform the Secretariat about any specific country or industry developments which are appropriate for circulation in this Circular. For more information on the contents of this Circular, contact the Association’s Secretariat.

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