Pesticides The European Union (EU) establishes a Community framework for the sustainable use of pesticides. The proposed measures concern in particular closer monitoring, increased training and information of users as well as specific measures for the use of these substances. Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for Community action to achieve the sustainable use […]
Preparation and marketing of medicated foodstuffs for animals This Directive lays down the rules intended to prevent distortions between the keeping and rearing of farm animals and to safeguard public health from dangers arising from the administration of medicated feedingstuffs to animals intended for food production. Council Directive 90/167/EEC of 26 March 1990 laying down the conditions governing the preparation, placing on the market and […]
Animal Feed A directive on undesirable substances and products in animal feed lays down the maximum limit for the presence of undesirable substances in animal feed put into circulation in the EU. Undesirable substances are any substance or product with the exception of pathogenic agents, which are present in or on the product intended for animal feed and which present potential danger to animal or […]
Aquaculture animals and products thereof This Directive updates, recasts and consolidates the animal health rules in relation to the trade in aquaculture products (fish, molluscs and crustaceans), including prevention and control of diseases affecting these animals and their products. Council Directive 2006/88/EC of 24 October 2006 on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases […]
Poultry A Directive on the EU trade in poultry and hatching eggs applies to poultry including foul, turkeys, chickens, ducks geese, ostriches, day-old chicks i.e. less than 72 hours and hatching eggs Establishments producing poultry and hatching eggs must obtain approval to conduct trade within EU. This is granted by the Commission after examining the position. They must satisfy conditions with regard to facilities and […]
Trade in Bovine and Swine There exists intra EU controls on the trade in certain animals. There is a directive on trade within the EU in bovine animals and swine for breeding, production, or slaughter. The transport of bovine animals and swine to another state is permitted if they do not display a sign of clinical disease they have not been obtained from a holding […]
Milk and Dairy The directive on the importation of raw milk and dairy products governs the introduction of such products into the EU. Third countries wishing to export milk or dairy products to the EU must be included in a list of countries authorized to do so which are specified by regulation. Prior to being entered on the list the countries concerned must undergo an […]
Animal by-products not intended for human consumption The food crises of the 1990s highlighted the part played by animal by-products not intended for human consumption in the spread of certain infectious diseases. Such by-products must be kept out of the food chain. This Regulation therefore establishes strict health rules for their use, so as to ensure a high level of health and safety. In particular, […]
Traditional Specialty Guaranteed Agricultural products intended for human consumption or foodstuff with a traditional composition produced in accordance with traditional production methods may become a Traditional Specialty Guaranteed. The designation as a TSH boosts farmers income and is seen as positive in maintaining rural areas. The TSGs are recognized at the community level and entered in a register kept by the commission. There are two […]
Production and labelling of organic products The harmonisation of the production, labelling and control of organic products ensures that there is fair competition between producers and strengthens the confidence of consumers, whose numbers in Europe are on the increase. Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91. This Regulation lays […]
Good manufacturing practice From 1 August 2008, the manufacture of materials intended to come into contact with food must comply with the regulations on good manufacturing practice harmonised for the whole of the European Union (EU), so that these materials do not represent a danger for the consumer, nor change the composition of food nor the organoleptic characteristics thereof. Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 of […]
Marketing of pure-bred animals To lay down harmonised rules for the marketing of purebred animals for which the zootechnical rules have not yet been the subject of Community legislation. Council Directive 91/174/EEC of 25 March 1991 laying down zootechnical and pedigree requirements for the marketing of pure-bred animals and amending Directives 77/504/EEC and 90/425/EEC. [Official Journal L 85, 05.04.1991]. The Directive applies to the marketing […]
Community scheme for fertilisers This new scheme defines, in particular, the provisions relating to the placing of fertilisers on the market, i.e. the conditions for designating “EC fertilisers”, as well as the provisions regarding their labelling and packaging. The European Union is thus simplifying Community legislation on the harmonisation of Member States’ legislation in the field of fertilisers by bringing all the existing provisions in […]
Trade Arrangements An EU Regulation on Trade arrangements for processed agricultural products establishes the trade regime for non-agricultural food and drink items made from agricultural products. They are non-agricultural food and drink items made out of agricultural products. The regulation contains a list of PAP goods. The main product groups include: processed dairy products; frozen fruit and vegetables; non-alcoholic beverages and all alcoholic beverages except […]
2014 to 2020 Framework The current multi-annual framework runs from 2014 to 2020. Pillar one consists of market management measures, other common market organisation and direct payments under the single payments scheme. Pillar two consist of rural development programs supporting agri-environmental schemes, rural growth, and farming competitiveness. These are set out in four principle regulations dealing with respectively with common market organisation direct payments, Rural […]
Single Farm Payment 2005 Since the 2003 reform, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has had to adapt to the new challenges of European agriculture, such as climate change, water management and the protection of biodiversity. The aim of this Regulation is to simplify and modernise the CAP. To this end, it gradually abolishes coupled support (production-related aid) and includes it in the Single Payment Scheme […]
Agriculture in the EU — financing, managing and monitoring rules Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy.One of the basic acts of the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP), this regulation lays down rules for financing, management and monitoring under the 2 main CAP funds.The regulation has been amended several times, most recently by Regulation (EU) 2017/2393. […]
Overview The importation of food products from outside the EU requires compliance with EU and UK hygiene safety, labelling and food composition regulations. The hazard analysis and critical control point after the primary production stage (HACCP) system is used. Non-EU suppliers must have equivalent systems in place. Food businesses after primary production must work in accordance with the HACCP principles and policies. This is a […]
EU Food Hygiene Law The purpose of food legislation is to prevent or eliminate risks arising either directly or via the environment for humans and animals and reduce risks to an acceptable level. to guarantee fair practices as regards trade in food and feed and the protection of consumer interests including food labelling and other forms of information for consumers. EU legislation on food of […]
Import of live animals. There are a number of directives dealing with both the import and transit of animals. One category of directives deals with imports from outside the EU, whereas another category deal with imports between EU states. Technically, imports between EU states are described as intra-EU trade whereas imports refer to imports from outside the EU. The directive on the import of live […]
Labelling and presentation of foodstuffs. EU directives deal with the labelling, packaging, and presentation of prepackaged foodstuffs. It applies to foodstuffs to be delivered to a final consumer or to intermediaries such as restaurants, canteens, hospitals, similar persons who cater en masse. It does not apply to products intended for export outside the European Union. Labelling, presentation, and advertisement of foodstuffs must not mislead the […]
The Common Agricultural Policy The Common Agricultural Policy consumes a large part of the EU budget, through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF). The Guarantee element finances the expenditure on market organisation and rural development measures. The Guidance element finances other rural development expenditures. The fund is administered by the Commission and by member states. Institutions within states are designated for the administration […]
Cohesion Funds The Cohesion Funds (2007 to 2013) support measures under the convergence objectives. The aim is to accelerate convergence in EU states where development is lagging behind by improving conditions for growth and employment. The objective of the Fund is to provide sustainable development. The ceiling on the Cohesion Fund\’s contribution to public expenditure, which is co-financed by member states, is 85 per cent. […]
Background Agriculture has been at the heart of the European Union since its foundation. This reflects the post-war food security requirement and the strong political influence of France in the 1950s and 1960s with its large agricultural sector, relative to Germany. Agricultural competence is restated in the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union. The Treaties set out the objectives of the Common Agricultural […]
General There are a number of directives dealing with both the import and transit of animals. One category of directives deals with imports from outside the EU whereas another category deal with imports between EU states. Technically imports between EU states are described as intra EU trade whereas imports referred to imports from outside the EU. The directive on the import of live animals lays […]
Bovine and Swine There exist intra-EU controls on trade in certain animals. There is a directive on trade within the EU in bovine animals and swine for breeding, production, or slaughter. The transport of bovine animals and swine to another state is permitted if they do not display a sign of clinical disease they have not been obtained from a holding subject to a prohibition they […]
General EU laws on animal health and welfare are adopted by the Parliament and the EU Council, the latter acting by qualified majority voting. The rules usually reflect international standards including, in particular, those adopted by the World Organisation for Animal Health. EU funding typically covers 50 percent of the national government’s cost. EU legislation covered the following areas, in particular; Disease prevention; animal health […]
Identification and registration There are a number of EU regulations dealing with the identification and registration of animals. The purpose is to create a comprehensive tracing system to protect animal health and food safety. There are different regulations in respect of different species/products. Regulation in respect of the identification and registration of bovine animals and labelling of meat follow the pattern of the other regulations. […]
The CAP There are import and export controls and duties designed to maintain the single market in various agricultural products under the Common Agricultural Policy. CAP controls and duties apply when goods enter or leave the European Union. They do not generally apply to trade within the EU. CAP goods include food, agricultural and horticultural products as well as their derivatives. The UK. CAP products […]