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The Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture has entered its final stages.
this 29 food industry representatives were invited to attend Roundtable, set up European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for “addressing the polarisation of the sector”. A draft conclusion of the dialogue will be discussed next week.
Sources close to the negotiations told Euractiv that the two sides had major differences in opinion in previous talks and only reached a superficial agreement.
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, participants will hold a final plenary session to discuss the document. Prepared by Professor Peter Strohschneider, Chairman of the Initiative.
Hot topics include sustainability, livestock, trade and food innovation.
The most recent meetings, held in late July, did not produce much progress, so a final conclusion remained “hard to predict,” one source said.
While further discussions are still possible, sources told European Events that von der Leyen and Strauschneider decided to rule out these possibilities and produce a final report on the dialogue as soon as possible.
According to sources, the most likely release date for this much-anticipated document is September 2.
The stakes could not be higher. The challenge is to put the future of EU food and farming on paper. This will be no easy task.
According to von der Leyen Guidelines She will serve a second term as President of the European CommissionThe goal of the 2024-29 mandate is to ensure the “long-term competitiveness and sustainability” of the EU’s agricultural sector “within planetary boundaries”.
With this aim in mind, the conclusion of the Strategic Dialogue will mark the beginning of a process that will determine the political direction and legislative path for major European Commission initiatives, such as the proposals for a new multiannual budget (known as the Multiannual Fiscal Framework or MFF) and the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Von der Leyen will use input from stakeholders to develop her upcoming “Agriculture and Food Vision”. promise And reveal it within the first 100 days of her second term – that is, before March 2025.
A few months later, by July 1 at the latest, the Committee must Presents proposals for the next MFF, which would allocate funds for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2027.
Let us not forget that when the strategic dialogue was launched in January, farmers protest It is shaking up the political situation in the European Union. In addition, the European Parliament elections are also coming soon.
In this context, promoting dialogue It is necessary. It could also be argued that von der Leyen’s move is more of a diversionary tactic, a way to cool things down, buy time and avoid further heating up of the campaign.
In any case, it is now clearer than ever that the conclusion of the initiative – which rests in the hands of the 29 participants who will soon sign an agreement to overcome their differences – will have important political consequences for the industry.
snack This week
China launches anti-subsidy investigation into EU cheese and milk. Beijing roll out On Wednesday (August 21), the European Union launched an investigation into dairy products imported from the EU, once again making the EU’s agricultural food industry Trade tensions Between Asian countries and Brussels.
European Union Pork exports Authorities in Beijing have been investigating goods sold into China since June, and spirits made from wine or grape pomace since January.
Food prices have become a political battleground on both sides of the Atlantic. The EU wants fairer pay for farmers, experts call for greater transparency in food markets, and US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris promise Fighting price gouging on food shelves.
The EU and its Member States take action to tackle resurgences of animal diseases. This summer,EU authorities have imposed transport restrictions and culled thousands of livestock after several animal diseases resurfaced across the bloc, causing financial losses for farmers and raising concerns that exports could be affected.
Active in Europe Viewed Explore the most pressing disease issues facing the EU livestock sector.
EU suspends free import of Ukrainian honey. European Commission Announce On Tuesday, honey became the latest product to exceed maximum import volumes set by the European Union. Regulation Trade preferences were granted to Kiev. As a result, tariff quotas were reintroduced. Other “sensitive” imports for which the “emergency brake” was applied included eggs, sugar, oats and oatmeal.
On the same day, Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Georgy Takhov said the country was preparing Request EU executive to activate safeguard mechanism Addressing the impact of Ukrainian egg imports on local producers, state news agency BTA Reported.
The Commission approved €20 million in state aid to Denmark to support improved welfare standards for pigs. The plan, Green light The European Commission approved on Wednesday an aid package to help farmers improve living conditions for pigs through measures such as additional supervision, feeding and watering facilities. The aid will include direct grants and subsidized services and will last until December 31, 2029.
In addition, on Wednesday, the European Commission roll out Strengthening surveillance for foodborne disease outbreaks Infectious diseases that can be transmitted from vertebrates to humans (Zoonosis).
The finalists for the 2024 EU Organic Prize have been announced. European Commission Uncover On Monday, 24 finalists from 11 member countries will be unveiled to enter the final stage of the competition. The awards ceremony will be held on September 23.
Scotland strengthens its marine protected areas measures. On Monday, the Scottish government launched a Public consultation Fisheries management in marine protected areas (MPAs). To non-governmental organizationsGovernments may decide to ban bottom fishing in certain marine reserves because The UK has recently made a decision.
(Editing by Angelo Di Mambro and Daniel Eck)
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