The European Commission refers Denmark to court over ‘Feta’ failings, the EU pumps €200m into agri-food promotion, and the USDA approves a proposal to market Irish beef in the US as ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’. FoodNavigator brings you the latest news and views from Brussels.
The European Commission refers Denmark to court over ‘Feta’ failings, the EU pumps €200m into agri-food promotion, and the USDA approves a proposal to market Irish beef in the US as ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’. FoodNavigator brings you the latest news and views from Brussels.
Denmark has failed to adequately fulfil its obligations on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs, according to the Commission, which has referred the Member State to the Court of Justice.
The issue surrounds ‘Feta’ – which is a registered Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). According to EU law, ‘Feta’ can only be produced in Greece according to a set of production specifications.
In Denmark, however, companies have been producing and exporting white cheese, labelled as ‘Feta’, to non-EU countries.
According to the Commission, such practice is a ‘direct breach’ of PDO regulations. And by refraining to prevent or stop it, Denmark is also violating current EU law.
The Commission sent a letter of formal notice in January 2018 inviting the Danish authorities to prevent or stop such practices. “Since Denmark has not addressed the issues raise, the Commission has decided to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU,” noted the Commission.
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The results are in from the European Commission’s 2019 Consumer Conditions Scoreboard, revealing that consumers are becoming increasingly aware about their environmental footprint, the overall gap in consumer conditions is narrowing between the different regions of the EU, and that ‘consumer rules’ enable trust in the marketplace.
More specifically, the survey revealed that an increasing proportion of EU consumers consider the environmental impact of their purchases. Consumers in southern EU countries are deemed the most environmentally conscious (59%), as are those in eastern European countries (57%).
“A clear majority of retailers (71%) think that environmental claims made for products or services in their sector are reliable,” noted the report.
The Commission also found that consumer conditions are declining in western Europe, while improving across other regions in the bloc. As a result, southern and eastern EU countries are ‘narrowing the gap’ with the EU average.
However, a significant gap remains between the highest scoring country and the lowest – noted as Sweden (71%) and Croatia (53%).
Ecommerce was also a focus of the report, with an increasing number of consumers buying online. Across the EU, figures reached 60% in 2018. This reached as high as 84% in Denmark, yet at just 20% in Romania and Bulgaria.
Speaking of the findings, EU commissioner for justice, consumers and gender equality Věra Jourová said: “I am glad to see that consumers are increasingly aware of their environmental footprint when shopping. As the Christmas season approaches, I encourage all consumers to engage with trustworthy traders, know their rights, and indeed buy responsibly.”
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The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Bord Bia’s proposal to advertise Irish beef in the US as ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’.
According to Bord Bia, an Irish state agency that promotes the sale of Irish food and horticulture, the USDA ‘seal of approval’ has been given to a range of claims, including that Irish beef is: more than 80% grass fed; fully traceable from farm to fork; raised on pasture for more than 6/7/8 months per year, and without the use of growth hormones.
“I am extremely pleased that we have received the green light to proceed with a measure which has the potential to add significant value to our beef offering to the US,” said USDA minister Creed. “Irish beef processors will now have the opportunity to market their produce as ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’ subject to adherence to the verification process. Such a marketing tool will allow our beef exporters pursue the Premium US beef market and will boost Irish beef exports to the US which will be crucial in terms of Brexit mitigation.”
According to Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy, the approval allows the state agency to bring its message closer to the US consumer. “Earning the trust of the USDA after such a rigorous [three-year] process will also enhance Ireland’s reputation in other markets and Bord Bia will maximise all opportunities this enhanced [credibility] may present.”
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The Whole Grain Initiative launched the first International Whole Grain Day on 19 November in an effort to encourage whole grain consumption across Member States.
More specifically, International Whole Grain Day aims to draw consumer attention to the positive impact of whole grain on nutrition, wellbeing, and sustainability. In doing so, The Whole Grain Initiative is calling on EU Member States to prioritise whole grain in their national dietary guidelines.
“The benefits of whole grain are well documented but, sadly, people still aren’t getting enough in their daily diets. This isn’t a problem we can solve on our own,” said originator of the Whole Grain Initiative, Michaela Pichler.
“We need to combine forces and help people to make whole grain a part of their lives. The Whole Grain Initiative is a chance for us to work with international stakeholders and explore ways how policy makers can start taking whole grain seriously. We’re excited to stimulate a conversation at EU policy level, and act as an incubator for exchanging whole grain good practices, knowledge and global initiatives to mobilise a whole grain movement.”
According to Pichler, there are a ‘number of things’ that can be done to increase whole grain in our diets. The first priority needed, she is, is education. “We need to help consumers understand the benefits of whole grain, where they can find it, and easy and quick ways to add it to their diet.”
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The European Union has announced plans to allocate €200.9m towards promotional activities for EU agri-food products in 2020.
According to the EU, the funding will help promote such products ‘at home and abroad’. Under the 2020 promotion policy work programme, EU policy will help the sector take advantage of the ‘expanding’ and ‘increasingly dynamic’ global agri-food market.
Such policy, which has been adopted by the Commission, will also help raise awareness on quality schemes, including organic produce, and help producers if they face ‘market disturbances’.
“Our promotion policy with an ever-increased budget supports EU producers in making their products known both in the EU and outside but also in facing market difficulties by raising more awareness on their produce,” said agriculture and rural development commissioner Phil Hogan.
More than half of the budget (€118m) will be allocated to promoting the EU agri-food sector outside of the bloc, in areas of ‘high-growth potential’, such as Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and the US. Eligible food categories include dairy and cheese, table olives, olive oil, and wine.
Promotional activities will also help inform EU and global consumers about geographical indications and/or organic products. And within the EU, funding will help promote healthy eating and the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The calls for proposals for the upcoming 2020 campaigns will be published in January 2020.
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