Commissione per l'agricoltura e lo sviluppo rurale

The EPRS Study on "Animal welfare on the farm – ex-post evaluation of the EU legislation: Prospects for animal welfare labelling at EU level" provides a state of play of the implementation of on-farm animal welfare provisions in the EU and feeds into the ongoing AGRI report on the implementation of the existing EU legislation. The study also examines the possible added value of the introduction of mandatory animal welfare labelling requirements for animal-based products at EU level.

The comAGRI held a series of discussions on topical issues throughout last week. On 12 July, Members exchanged views with Tom Vilsack, newly appointed US Secretary of Agriculture. On 13, Jože Podgoršek, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, presented the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency in agriculture. On the same day, Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski detailed the EC Long term Vision for Rural Areas. On 16, a discussion on trade related issues was held with VP Valdis Dombrovskis.

The Commission (DG ENV) presented to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development a report on the implementation of the EU Pollinators Initiative. This initiative was launched in 2018 to address the decline of wild pollinating insects. The presentation was the opportunity for MEPs to evaluate this policy tool and discuss further developments in the context of the Biodiversity and Farm to Fork Strategies.

On 22 June, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development organised a public hearing on the perspectives of animal production in the EU in the context of the Green Deal, Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies. Members of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety also participated in the meeting.

The European Commission representatives will address the AGRI Committee Members during the Exchange of views meeting on 22 June. The objective of the presentation will be to share with Members the outcome of the study on Plant Reproductive Materials. Moreover, the Commission should share with AGRI Members its main findings, benefits, concerns and possible follow-up actions.

The objective of the presentation is to share with Members the outcome of the study on the status of new genomic techniques under Union law and in light of the Court of Justice ruling in case C-528/16. Moreover, the Commission should share with AGRI Members its main findings, benefits, concerns and possible follow-up actions.