NEWSLETTER
Second fortnight of
November2007
NEWSLETTER Second Fortnight November 2007
TABLE OF CONTENT
EU and EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
"Health Check" of the Common Agricultural Policy - Fit for new opportunities
Simplifying the CAP: administrative burden of Cross-Compliance limited, study shows
State aid: Commission approves regional aid map 2007-2013 for Italy
Call for tender to evaluate CAP direct support measures
Commission proposes suspension of import duties on most cereals
A further set of rural development programmes for the period 2007-2013 agreed
€1.75 billion of new research money available for European projects
European Commission scientists launch first mobile application that uses your mobile phone to track your carbon footprint
EU businesses lead move to a low carbon economy – Conclusions of the High Level Group on Competitiveness, Energy and Environment
Commission proposes introduction of export refunds for fresh pig meat
EP supports Commission move to facilitate trade with US and to allow continued use of pints and miles
ANIMAL/PUBLIC HEALTH-FOOD SAFETY ISSUES
Commission adopts Decision to approve €187 million to fight animal diseases in 2008
Simpler food legislation needed says EU report
Grape-seed extract gives natural meat preservative
UK to boost fees for meat inspections
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
EU signs deal with East African states
The eighth India-European Union Summit was held in Delhi on 30 November 2007
Joint Statement of the 10th China-EU SummitBeijing, 28 November 2007
EU-China and EU-India Summits, EU27 trade with China grew by 150% between 2000 and 2006 Trade with India up by 80%
EU-ASEAN, Summit - An EU27 trade deficit of 30 bn euro in 2006 with ASEAN, ASEAN accounts for 6% of EU27 imports and 4% of exports
EU/China Customs cooperation: First electronic exchanges of information on sea containers in the framework of the secure and smart trade lanes pilot project
Food laws could unlock Asian market
NEW COMMUNITY LEGISLATION end November 2007
EU and EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
"Health Check" of the Common Agricultural Policy - Fit for new opportunities
Source: / European Commission / Date: / 20 November 2007The European Commission today unveiled its blueprint for streamlining and further modernising the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy. The so-called 'Health Check' of the CAP will build on the approach which began with the 2003 reforms, improve the way the policy operates based on the experience gathered since 2003 and make it fit for the new challenges and opportunities in an EU of 27 Member States in 2007. The reforms have modernised the CAP, but the Health Check represents a perfect opportunity to take the policy review further.
It will ask three main questions:
- how to make the direct aid system more effective and simpler;
- how to make market support instruments, originally conceived for a Community of Six, relevant in the world we live in now; and
- how to confront new challenges, from climate change, to biofuels, water management and the protection of biodiversity.
Today's Communication is designed to kick off a wide-ranging six-month consultation. Next spring, the Commission will return with legislative proposals, which it hopes will be adopted by agriculture ministers by the end of 2008 and could come into effect immediately. During 2007 and 2008 the Commission will develop its approach to the budgetary review 2008/2009. The Health Check constitutes a preparatory action within this framework, without prejudging the outcome of this review. It fine-tunes the 2003 reforms and contributes to the discussion on future priorities in the field of agriculture.
Read the press release
Simplifying the CAP: administrative burden of Cross-Compliance limited, study shows
Source: / European Commission / Date: / 29 November 2007The burden of red tape on farmers resulting from compulsory standards of environmental protection, public, animal and plant health and animal welfare (so-called Cross-Compliance) is very limited, according to a new report carried out for the European Commission. The report is based on research carried out in five EU Member States, which also showed that the model of direct payments to farmers chosen by each country also has a limited influence on the administrative burden they face. These results, and the proposals for simplification contained in the recent Health Check, put the Common Agricultural Policy in a good position to meet the target of a 25 percent reduction in administrative burden by 2012
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State aid: Commission approves regional aid map 2007-2013 for Italy
Source: / European Commission / Date: / 28 November 2007The European Commission has approved under EC Treaty state aid rules the regional aid map covering the period 2007-2013 for Italy. This decision closes a wider exercise to review regional aid systems in all Member States in accordance with the new Regional Aid Guidelines (see IP/05/1653 and MEMO/05/491) adopted in December 2005. The new Guidelines aim at re-focussing regional aid on the most deprived regions of the enlarged EU, while allowing to improve competitiveness. The maps of all other Member States have already been approved by the Commission (see IP/06/1176, IP/06/1393, IP/06/1451 and IP/06/1528, IP/06/1871, IP/07/79, IP/07/153, IP/07/211, IP/07/290 and IP/07/959).
Read the press release
Call for tender to evaluate CAP direct support measures
Source: / European Commission / Date: / 27 November 2007The European Commission has launched a call for tender for a framework contract to evaluate CAP measures concerning sectors subject to past or present direct support. The 2003 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was adopted with the aim of promoting a more market-oriented and competitive agriculture. The biggest change was to remove the link between support and production. Only to a very limited degree, certain forms of coupled direct support were maintained. This framework contract has the objective of evaluating the impacts of the transition from coupled support to decoupling as well as the impact of remaining coupled support. The full range of CAP instruments directed to a sector concerned will have to be taken into account. The framework contract will be awarded in the form of nine lots, one contract per lot. Tenders will be evaluated separately for each lot. The deadline for submitting offers expires on 21 February 2008.The Commission intends to award contracts in the first half of 2008, following the evaluation of the offers received. The expected period of performance of the contracts is 4 years.
Commission proposes suspension of import duties on most cereals
Source: / European Commission / Date: / 26 November 2007The European Commission today proposed the suspension of import duties on all cereals except oats for the current marketing year - which ends on June 30, 2008. This is a reaction to the exceptionally tight situation on the world and EU cereals markets and the record price levels. Although the current levels of border protection for cereals are rather low, import duties are still applied for certain types of grains that are relevant for the balance of the EU market. The proposal will have to be approved by the Council of Ministers, hopefully at its meeting starting on 18 December.
Read the Press Release
A further set of rural development programmes for the period 2007-2013 agreed
Source: / European Commission / Date: / 21 November 2007The Rural Development Committee (consisting of representatives of the 27 Member States) gave a positive opinion to the Rural Development programmes of Belgium (Wallonia), Estonia, France (Martinique, Réunion), Germany (3 Länder), Greece, Italy (4 regions), Portugal (Mainland and Azores) Slovakia and Spain (Navarra) for the financial period 2007-2013. These programmes are defined to guarantee infrastructure, create new income opportunities for rural regions, promote growth and fight unemployment. The Commission still has to formally adopt the programmes in the next weeks. The approval of the programmes for other countries and regions will follow in the next months.
€1.75 billion of new research money available for European projects
Source: / European Commission / Date: / 30November 2007The European Commission is today issuing calls for proposals in 32 research areas, making available about €1.75 billion from the 7thResearch Framework Programme. Areas for support include environmental issues such as sea-level rise and the impact of climate change on Arctic Ocean eco-systems, the impact of UV radiation on human health and modelling the future impact of energy use on the environment. In the food, agriculture & fisheries and biotechnology theme, projects are sought to promote a better understanding of obesity and also find new methods for the production of clean and carbon-efficient bio-fuels. Funds will be made available for the Marie Curie International Staff Exchange scheme, which will strengthen the relationships of European research organisations with their international counterparts, and there are specific calls for proposals working with researchers in India on materials and Russia on energy.
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European Commission scientists launch first mobile application that uses your mobile phone to track your carbon footprint
Source: / European Commission / Date: / 30 November 2007mobGAS©® is a new mobile phone application available in 21 European languages that allows users to see how their daily choices impact on climate change. This smart technology, developed by scientists working at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, allows users to see the implications of the choices they make every day, in terms of the three major greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Information about everyday activities – cooking, transport, lighting, electronic appliances etc. - is put into the application, and calculations made of individual emissions. A user diary of daily, weekly and yearly emissions can be registered on a secure website, allowing a comparison with national and world averages. The application also includes an animation reflecting the user's contribution to the Kyoto Protocol target.
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EU businesses lead move to a low carbon economy – Conclusions of the High Level Group on Competitiveness, Energy and Environment
Source: / European Commission / Date: / 30 November 2007Without the engagement of business there is no solution for building a global low carbon economy. This is the overarching message of the High Level Group on Competitiveness, Energy and Environment, which after two years ended its work earlier this week with the conference "Towards a global low carbon economy". The Group is a blue print for how European policy issues can be designed in an integrated manner, in this case, in the area of competitiveness, energy and environment. This has been done through bringing key stakeholders together, before the Commission tables its proposals. It has therefore contributed to increased transparency of the policy making process, better regulation and paved the way for more robust policies by the Commission. In addition to highlighting some of the successes of the Group's work the conference conveyed a series of messages ahead of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bali in December 2007. The Bali meeting needs to deliver a road map that engages businesses through a new platform to reach an international agreement by 2009. This agreement should enable international action to stabilise the global temperature increase at around 2°C within this century.
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Commission proposes introduction of export refunds for fresh pig meat
Source: / European Commission / Date: / 26 & 30 November 2007Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, today announced that she would take steps to introduce export refunds for pig meat carcases, cuts and bellies as a response to the difficult market situation. The proposal will be presented to the Management Committee this week. Refunds would be payable for exports to all destinations. At the same time, the Commission will suspend the Private Storage Aid scheme set up last month. Mrs Fischer Boel will inform agriculture ministers of her proposal at today's Agriculture Council.
Read the Press Release
- Export refunds on pig meat introduced from 30 November
The Management Committee for pig meat yesterday voted on a Commission proposal to introduce export refunds for fresh and frozen pig meat to help ease the current difficult market situation. Refunds will be €31.1/100kg for carcases and cuts and €19.4/100kg for bellies. They will be payable for exports to all destinations and will be available from 30 November. The Committee also voted on a Commission proposal to close the Private Storage Aid (APS) scheme set up last month that was already suspended since Tuesday 27 November. Following the difficult situation in the EU pig meat sector resulting particularly from high feed costs, the APS scheme has been in place since 29 October.
EP supports Commission move to facilitate trade with US and to allow continued use of pints and miles
Source: / European Commission / Date: / 29 November 2007The European Parliament today endorsed in first reading the European Commission proposal on units of measurement (IP/07/1297), which means that Britain and Ireland can continue to use miles for road signs and speed indications and pints, for bottled milk and draught beer and cider. It also makes it possible to continue to use indefinitely labels with supplementary or dual indications of both metric and imperial sizes. The Commission proposal was based on the results of a public consultation in early 2007, which underlined the smooth functioning of the corresponding Directive 80/181/EEC, which allowed only a temporary use of pints, miles and dual labelling. The Commission is now expecting an endorsement by the Council in view of a first reading agreement so as to facilitate a quick adoption and implementation of this measure.
Read the Press Release
ANIMAL/PUBLIC HEALTH-FOOD SAFETY ISSUES
Commission adopts Decision to approve €187 million to fight animal diseases in 2008
Source: / European Commission / Date: / 30 November 2007The European Commission has approved a financial package of €186.57 million to support programmes to eradicate, control and monitor animal diseases in 2008. For the first time, for some diseases like rabies, multi-annual programmes lasting from two to five years have also been approved, in order to ensure a more efficient and effective achievement of the objectives of those programmes. The 197 annual or multi-annual programmes which were selected for EU funding will tackle animal diseases that impact both human and animal health. The large EU contribution towards these programmes reflects the high level of importance attached to disease eradication measures, for the protection of both animal and public health.
Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, said: "Safeguarding animal health is an essential factor in ensuring food safety, and in avoiding the often devastating consequences that animal epidemics can have. The decision to allocate considerable resources to the fight against animal diseases shows the Commission’s unwavering commitment to this goal.”
Each year the Commission approves programmes for the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases, for the control of zoonoses such as salmonella, for the monitoring and eradication of TSEs and for avian influenza surveillance. These approved programmes receive financial contributions from the EU.
Animal disease eradication programmes
For the year 2008, 61 annual or multi-annual programmes to eradicate 10 important animal diseases have been granted Community financial support. The total EU contribution to these programmes is €70.075.000. The increased budget for 2008 from €52.97.000 in 2007 is mainly due to an increased allocation to counter Bluetongue disease in many Member states.
Within this budget, diseases that might be transmitted to humans are prioritised. Significant sums are being spent on the eradication of brucellosis, tuberculosis and rabies. Following the success of the programmes in recent years which have virtually eradicated rabies in the western part of the EU, most of the activity in 2008 will be focused towards the eastern Member States. €13.847.000 has been allocated to this task. Rabies is spread by infected wildlife and the programmes aim at producing immunity in the wildlife by orally vaccinating them with baits containing vaccine.
Zoonoses control programmes
A financial contribution of €8.606.000 to control zoonotic salmonella in poultry (Gallus gallus) breeder flocks in 19 Member States as well as €21.330.000 in poultry laying hens flocks (first year) have been allocated for 2008. This is three times the amount allocated for this disease in 2007, reflecting the priority which the EU gives to reducing the prevalence of salmonella in poultry
Avian influenza surveillance
Member States will also continue to carry out surveillance for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds in 2008 with financial assistance from the EU towards laboratory testing and wild birds sampling costs. A total of €4.344.000 will be available from the EU budget.
This surveillance is the most effective way to detect early outbreaks of both high and low pathogenic influenzas and was extremely useful in 2006 and 2007, allowing early detection of avian influenza in wild birds before commercial flocks became infected.
BSE/TSE monitoring and eradication programmes
The overall trend is positive and is improving year by year due to a good implementation of the monitoring and eradication programmes in most Member States.
For the monitoring of TSEs, the Commission has agreed to make €62.494.500 available from the EU budget, down from € 88.463.000 in 2007. It includes financial support from the Community that will be used to carry out rapid tests for the detection of TSE in cattle, sheep, goats and deer and discriminatory tests to exclude BSE in small ruminants as in 2007. For BSE eradication programmes across Europe, the EU will give €2.543.000 in co-funding in 2008, down from €5.400.000 in 2007, reflecting the continuing decline in BSE cases.
Compulsory Scrapie eradication measures are in place, requiring the culling and/or genotyping of animals in infected flocks. Breeding programmes continue to be applied for TSE resistance in sheep. This year, €18.184.200 is being dedicated to the approved scrapie eradication programmes, down from €33.592.000 in 2007, reflecting the uptake of funds in 2006.