Nominations for top EU institutional jobs
Current European Commission President, Ursula Von der Leyen, has been nominated for another five-year term. The European People’s Party (EPP) politician has the backing of Member State leaders but will now face a secret ballot by the 720 Members of the European Parliament. She needs 361 votes to succeed and is hoping to glean support from the centre-left Socialist & Democrats and the liberal Renew to meet the vote threshold.
Former Socialist Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, has been nominated for President of the European Council. Kaja Kallas – Prime Minister of Estonia for the liberal Reform Party – has been nominated for the position of the EU High Representative.
Cases of Bluetongue virus serotype-3 (BTV-3) detected in the Netherlands and Germany
Three cases of BTV-3 have recently been detected in the Netherlands in Etten, Ommeren and Zelhem. 16 cases were also reported in Germany (mainly in the North West and South West), in the month of July. BTV-3 vaccines are authorised in both countries for sheep and cattle.
Commission proposes renewal for Captan
The European Commission has proposed to extend the authorisation of the fungicide Captan for 15 years. The proposal continues to allow for open field use with some additional requirements. The current authorisation expires in October 2024. The SCoPAFF committee will vote on the renewal on 10-11 July.
EFSA publishes opinion on the welfare of sheep and goats during killing for purposes other than slaughter
EFSA published a report on the welfare of sheep and goats during on-farm killing. The report looked at two phases of the killing procedure on farm (pre killing including moving animals and stunning & killing of animals). Welfare consequences were identified for each phase including handling stress, restriction of movements and tissue lesions during restraint. Sheep and goats will experience pain and fear if they are ineffectively stunned. Mitigation measures to minimise welfare consequences were proposed, including ensuring adequate staff training and on-farm standard operating procedures. The movement of animals should also be limited with animals killed in their home pens or pastures. The opinion will likely contribute to the legislative proposal to amend current welfare at time of killing rules, which could be expected in 2025.
EU agri-food trade surplus continued to increase in March 2024
The Commission’s latest report on trade in agrifood products shows that the EU’s trade surplus continued to increase in March 2024 with a surplus of €6.7 billion. This is an increase of 8% compared to the previous month and 3% higher than in March 2023. EU exports continued to increase since the January 2024 with a monthly increase of 4%, reaching EUR 20.1 billion in March 2024. This is however 6% lower than in March 2023. EU imports are stable since the beginning of the year (+2% in March compared to February) and reached EUR 13.5 billion in March 2024. They remain however 10% lower than in March 2023. Imports of cocoa products, fruit and nuts and olives and olive oil increased, while those of oilseeds and cereals decreased.
