New bluetongue variant BTV-12 detected in the Netherlands
A new variant of bluetongue has been identified in the Netherlands, bluetongue serotype 12 (BTV-12). This has been identified at two farms (one sheep farm and one cattle farm) in the province of Utrecht. Research is being conducted into whether more farms are infected with BTV-12. This is the first time that BTV-12 has been detected in Europe.
Spain is the latest country to detect cases of BTV-3. This brings the total number of infected countries within Europe to 14 (Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, UK, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, Norway and Spain).
ECJ rules that France can’t ban ‘sausage’ names for plant-based meat
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that where a legally protected name isn’t already being used, EU countries can’t stop companies that make plant-based meat alternatives from calling them “steaks” or “sausages.” This follows a legal challenge from French lobby group Protéines France, Californias Beyond Meat and two other associations after the French government banned the use of terms like steak and ham for its plant protein products. It means that unless a member state has already created a law defining what a sausage or a burger is, it cannot ban companies from using generic terms for its meat alternatives. The ECJ ruling did however say that member countries can intervene if “the specific arrangements for the sale or promotion of a food mislead the consumer.”
Short-term outlook of agricultural markets: gradual but fragile return to stability
The EU’s autumn 2024 short team outlook of agricultural markets was published last week. After experiencing severe shocks and high volatility in the previous years, EU agricultural markets are showing positive signs of stabilising as input costs have steadily declined and food inflation has returned to a moderate rate, though food prices are on average 32% higher compared to 2020. There also looks to be possible improvements in demand for agri-food products in most sectors. The EU fertiliser market is also gradually stabilising, with trade flows returning to normal and domestic production showing signs of recovery. However, affordability remains a concern for farmers, primarily due to declining arable crop prices. However, the outlook remains subject to a high degree of uncertainty, linked to weather events, geopolitical conflicts and animal and plant diseases.
EU Auditors criticise CAP National Plans
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) latest report argues that Member States have lowered the ambitions of the current CAP (2023-2027) at national level. “The green design of the Common Agricultural Policy has improved. However, compared with the past, we haven’t seen substantial differences in the member states’ agricultural plans,” said Nikolaos Milionis, the ECA member responsible for the audit. “We conclude that the EU’s ambitions for the climate and the environment are not matched at national level.”
