Bluetongue (BTV-3) vaccine authorised in the Netherlands
The Dutch government has authorised a BTV-3 vaccine via a fast-track authorisation procedure. The vaccine, produced by Spanish company Syva, is authorised for use on sheep (which will require one dose) and cattle (which will require two doses administered a few weeks apart). One million doses will be available as of this week, and a further one million doses are expected to be available two weeks later.
A British Agriculture Bureau representative is liaising with Dutch farming union LTO to determine further details including the costs. There have been no recent cases of BTV-3 in the Netherlands over the past months, but midge activity is being observed again and experts are concerned about the risk of a ‘large scale clinical outbreak from end of June/beginning of July’.
Agreement reached on Ukraine trade concessions
EU Member States and the European Parliament have reached agreement on extension of trade preferences for agricultural products imported from Ukraine. This agreement has been negotiated against a difficult background of the EU supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression on the one hand, whilst also wanting to give some protection to EU farmers.
The compromise reached sees:
- Imports of eggs, poultry, sugar, groats, oats, honey and maize subject to ceilings based on average trade volumes in the period July 2021 to December 2023 with the import duties applied to quantities imported above the ceilings;
- The possibility for the Commission to take swift action and impose any measures it deems necessary should there be significant disruption to the EU market or the markets of one or more EU member states due to imports from Ukraine;
- Reinforced monitoring of imports of cereals and oilseeds from Ukraine.
The new arrangements will apply from 6 June 2024.
Both Ukraine and the EU agree that this will be the last extension of the temporary trade measures. The Commission has committed to take the necessary steps to pursue “the process of reciprocal tariff liberalisation” under Article 29 of the EU’s Association Agreement with Ukraine.
EU-NZ FTA enters into force
The EU/NZ FTA entered into force on 1 May 2024. EU farmers will benefit from the elimination of tariffs on key EU exports such as pig meat, wine and sparkling wine, chocolate, sugar confectionary and biscuits. Moreover, the agreement protects the full list of EU wines and spirits (close to 2,000 names), such as prosecco and champagne, as well as 163 of the most renowned traditional EU products (Geographical Indications), such as Feta cheese, Istarski pršut ham and Lübecker Marzipan.
Meanwhile, sensitive EU agricultural products such as beef, sheep meat and dairy products are protected through tariff rate quotas. The deal is expected to cut €140 million a year in duties for EU companies and EU-NZ trade is expected to grow by up to 30% within a decade. This is the first EU FTA to embed commitments on sustainability, including respect of the Paris Climate Agreement and core labour rights.
Read more about the FTA here.
EU to introduce new legislation on honey, fruit juices, jams and dehydrated milk
The EU is set to introduce new legislation that will amend the labelling and naming of honey, fruit juices, jams and dehydrated milk. Following a year of negotiations, the European Council claim the new rules will reduce food fraud, increase transparency on the origin of products and allow consumers to make more informed choices.
Parliament votes in favour of new packaging rules
Last week, the European Parliament voted in favour of new legislation on packaging and packaging waste. The agreement, which was provisionally agreed in trilogue in March, would see the introduction waste reduction targets and mandatory re-use and refill targets for beverages – although milk, wine and spirits are exempt.
The legislation also bans plastic packaging for less than 1.5kg of unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables. The legislation applies to packaging and packaged products entering the EU single market. The text is now subject to formal approval by Member States and final publication in the Official Journal is expected by the end of 2024.
Copa and Cogeca meeting with EC President
The presidents and vice-presidents of Copa and Cogeca met with the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, on 26 April to take stock of the agricultural situation as the Commission’s mandate draws to a close, and to discuss the strategic repositioning of agriculture at the centre of European policies based on the Copa’s manifesto for the European elections.
Numerous issues were discussed during the meeting with agriculture now high on the agenda for the Commission. Copa Cogeca representatives stressed the importance of fairness in the supply chain, unlocking the proposal on New Genomic Techniques and making progress on tackling the problems caused by large carnivores. They also pressed for a delay in the implementation of the Deforestation Regulation and reminded the President of their opposition to the proposed Nature Restoration Law. President von der Leyen empathised with the presentation of farming communities’ challenges, while reaffirming the importance of farmers’ work for food security, Europe’s sovereignty, and its ability to make the necessary transitions.
EFSA publishes second avian influenza vaccination report
Last week, EFSA published its second scientific opinion on avian influenza vaccination. In the first report, EFSA looked at the available HPAI vaccinations and their efficacy. For this second report, EFSA assessed surveillance strategies for early detection of HPAI virus and how to demonstrate freedom from HPAI during emergency and preventive vaccination, as well as restrictions and risk-mitigation measures, in vaccinated farms and areas. EFSA recommends vaccination, but that this cannot completely immunise birds. EFSA also recommends monthly testing of dead birds to provide the absence of disease. Strategic surveillance schemes should also be in place, alongside measures to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
The spread of H5NI, otherwise known as bird flu, in cattle and mammals in the United States has raised concerns among those working in disease control, but the European Union says they are well prepared. European Commission Spokesperson on Health, Stefan de Keersmaecker, said the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which carries out surveillance of the virus, says that while highly pathogenic in birds, it is infrequent for the virus to be transmitted to humans. De Keersmaecker added that vaccines were available and that joint procurement contracts had been concluded so that the EU would be ready if a pandemic did hit.
