- “And the ATM, the autonomous trade measures that we have introduced, I think, within our trade relations with Ukraine. I think the ATM was suspended in the tech sector in June, but I think the level of egg import from Ukraine continues to be at a rather high level. If we compare the first nine months or even ten months, I think of this year as compared to last year, we had the level of egg import, I think, from Ukraine at 34% above so significantly higher level of egg imports from the EU. A few words, I think for some plant products and I will start with olive oil. The current forecast I think, for olive oil production indicates an average production for 2425. So this will help prices, I think, to decrease from historical high levels. I think we are at a very high level, I think over the last two years on account of bad climatic conditions and very low level of harvest for wine. I think the acceleration of what I would call the consumption seems to continue. And I think in addition, I think our level of export of wine remains rather weak this year, and this is concerning all categories of wine, which are experiencing a decline in value in their export in terms of production. One production estimate for this current marketing year, 2425, is stand at 146.6 million hectolitres, so this is around 8 to 9% below the historical average, and this drop is caused by extreme weather events and aggressive diseases due to climate anomalies.”
Agricultural trade: Ukraine imports
- “Okay. Thank you very much, chairman. And I would like to thank all the MEPs that intervened and raised issues and commented on this market situation clearly. And I think you will understand. I think in my presentation, I tried to focus on the global EU situation and looking at the key sectors. It is very difficult in ten minutes, I think, to focus on specific sectors and specific regions of what I would need more than one hour. I think in order to address all this, and this is why I think we could not, I could not mention detailed information and quantitative information. I think on all of the different points, I think that you that you raised, I think clearly I think we have an issue now in view about maintaining our production potential. And at the end of the day, I think our variable, our food security and I think we need to address I think the variability, I think in yield and this variability which is coming from, um, adverse and exceptional climatic events, which is coming also the the emergence or the re-emergence, I think of, of disease. I think both in the animal sector of the, in the, in the plant sector, in the vegetable, vegetable sector. And for this and this is why I think we need to invest and we need to continue investing in building an agricultural sector. And I would say at large, a food system which is more resilient, which is more sustainable. And like this, I think that will become more competitive. And for this, I think we currently have a set of tools in the Common Agricultural Policy. I think in order to address these needs, I think with income support, with investment support. I think with the support which is granted to better manage, I think the risk, be it in the digital sector or in the animal sector, in order also to address some specific crises, because despite everything that we can do in terms of anticipating and preventing damages, you know, whether of economic, climatic or personal origin, I think there will be a need, I think, to also help farmers with short term measures in order, some specific crises. And this is what we need to implement in a better way as it is done now. And also we need to to reflect. And this is addressing one question which has been raised about what we do in terms of, you know, dealing with climatic, climatic challenges. Here we need to see where we need to reinforce, I think the system which is currently available in terms of insurance, in terms of mutual funds, in terms of income, stabilization tools, etc., etc.. So I think this is a clear need, I think, to reinforce the policy toolbox and also to implement it in a better way. In the short term, I think in order to address, I think, some short term difficulties. I think the Commission has been quite active using what is called, I think, the agricultural reserves in order to address, I think, some specific crises and, and specific short term.”
Agriculture (green) · Direct payments to farmers (pillar 1) · EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
- “As you said, the observatory is new. It was established, I think, last year for an initial duration of five years. That can be renewed if the process proves successful. And I hope, I think it will be renewed. It already met twice, I think in July last year and in October. The third meeting is foreseen for the 13th of March. So almost, I think in one month, I think with two more meetings which are foreseen in the course of 2025. I have to say, I think the the first meetings have proved, you know, rather promising with a rather constructive atmosphere, you know, between all the different actors of the chain. And this brings me to an important, I think, element that I would like to underline concerning afco is that it is an observatory, and it is important to stress, I think, the difference and to differentiate between the work of the observatory and the work, I think of policymakers, Members of the observatory analyze data and try to establish a diagnosis. I think a common diagnosis, which is shared by, you know, all the actors of the chain. And it is then, I think, for policy makers to develop policy responses if it is necessary and appropriate on the basis of the diagnosis and giving to such an observatory the responsibility to trigger policy response. I think we clearly, in our view, hinder its capacity to build consensus on the analysis of what happened in the chain.”
Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
- “And I will start, I think, by the cereals and oilseed harvest. And this season was particularly challenging. And you refer to that already challenging due to a series of adverse weather events. The harvest results are, I would say, rather disappointing both in volume and in quality. The EU cereal production is currently projected at 55.6 million tonnes. That means 9% below the historical average. And I think this would mean that we would have, I think the annual cereal production at its lowest level, registered, I think, since 2007. If we look at the different types of cereal, I think these concerns, in particular maize harvest, which is estimated at 58 million tonnes, so some -12% below the historical average. And this on account of rather mixed weather developments, drought in the south eastern Europe, but also autumn precipitation that could lead to quality to quality downgrades, with in particular aflatoxin problems in France, but also in Hungary and in Romania. Eu soft wheat harvest is forecast at 112.6 million tonnes. So this is 11% below, I think, the historical average, only barley harvest is forecast a bit higher than what we were last year. But if we look at the historical average, we are still 5% below the historical average. So that's it. I think for cereals, if we look at all seed production and notably rapeseed and sunflower oil, seed production suffered from similar problems of adverse weather events.”
Sustainable use of seeds in EU policy
- “And this, this did not exist before. So we are developing all these, all these elements. But I think for us, clearly, I think in the first year of existence, I think in 2024, what we wanted is to gather, I think all the stakeholders to build trust to, to make them, you know, understand and accept and share. I think the overall objective to bring, you know, more transparency and and improve, I think, the functioning of the food chain. And this is, I would say, I think our first deliverable, all the information, all the debate, the membership, I think the debate, the minutes, I think the data which are presented in the Afco are being made publicly available. You can find them on our on our website in the course of 2025, I think we will develop, I think the, uh, the information set, I think by making available, I think a lot of information, as I said, on production costs, on fertilizer, etc.. So we will start building. I think this database and I think the availability of reliable data, in order for us, I think, to be in a position to do, I think a better analysis, a more, uh, I would say solid analysis in order to take decisions.”
Transparency requirements of EU institutions
- “As regards the structure of costs and the distribution of margin and value added in the chain, and more precisely, as members come together to first exchange information and establish a common diagnosis on the functioning of the food supply chain, and this on the basis of evidence and facts. Second, members come together to bring increased transparency on cost margin, while of course respecting confidentiality and competition rules. And third members come to provide expertise and identify trading practices and control a contractual arrangement that may positively or negatively impact the functioning of the chain. Case studies for specific segments or sectors are also shared, and we have started to look at these specific case studies in the medium term. I think the work of the of the Observatory will aim to develop methodologies and indicators to assess and monitor the structure of the cost and the distribution of margin and value added. All along, I think the food supply chain and I would say ultimately, I think the observatory aims to build trust. And I would like to underline, I think, the word trust between all the actors of the chain. So that I think, you know, we are all, you know, the very trust in the functioning in order to improve his, his undertaking, but also trust in the chain. I think with public authorities and in particular, I think the, the commission. And so your invitation to discuss, I think the work of Afco today shows, I think, the interest and the high expectations placed on this new observatory.”
Food waste · EU policy on farmer–buyer relations in the agri-food supply chain
- “Um, in terms of data and transparency, I think we, uh, we took the decision in the beginning, I think, to start working by first optimizing. I think the the use of the available data. There's a lot of information available in Eurostat. I think the statistical office of the Commission, there's a lot of information available in DG. I agree there's a lot of information available at stakeholder level. And I think and we have been asking, I think all the stakeholders, I think to provide us, I think with this information as far of course, as you know, confidentiality and competition rules are respected. And I think this data is being analysed is being discussed, I think in the in the afco. And this data will be made available on the agri food data portal. I think of agri. We have already started to do that. We are going to further expand, I think, this availability of data. I would like to use two examples. I think of, you know, improvement in in terms of data availability. It's about I think it's about the production cost. I think we have started to publish, I think some information related, I think, to the cost of production in certain sectors and in certain countries. I think we want to develop that across. I think the across the whole EU and for all the, all the different sectors, we have started to publish, I think some information, for instance, related to fertiliser prices, I think, which is very important.”
Digital and precision farming · Transparency requirements of EU institutions
- “First, and I'm sorry, I will repeat myself as compared to what I said. I think before the summer recess. I would like to reiterate my view that the proposed carryover of unused funds for structural intervention by modifying the horizontal regulation is not appropriate in this exercise, since I think this risk, you know, um, to fundamentally change horizontal rules and that will impact also other parts of the EU budget. Second, I would like to say that I think this is a possibility to finance crisis measures like grabbing up with sectoral intervention. Budget should be assessed rather carefully given, I think the high cost of these measures and the fact that I think this risk removing financial resources from action in support, I think of the long term competitiveness and resilience of the sector. And we do believe that other and probably more suitable instruments could be considered in the event of serious need for the element that I would like to underline. And I've already done this. Last time we discussed about the one package is that several amendments proposed defining means for the identification of labels in primary legislation. And while I fully understand, I think there is a need, I think, to move fast on this issue. I believe that an empowerment to the Commission seems more appropriate, and this would provide the necessary flexibility to define suitable and well-designed rules that can be amended or adapted quickly if needed.”
Size of EU budget · Agricultural funding · Conditions to access EU budget
- “And I have to say, still, you know, establishing a shared analysis is is already a challenge because we have very different views there and different information available, I think, to each actor of the chain. And it is important that I think we manage, I think, to bring, I think all these actors together to bring the information, the experience and expertise that we have on the functioning of the chain and to try to build, I think the shared, you know, consensus, the Analysis of the functioning of the chain in order to further improve it. I think in the future. But and I'm happy to see that I think we have co, I think so far has taken, I think, the right direction. I think it has proved to be a very useful and we hope, I think, to further develop it and, and, and I would say reinforce it. But it's always good I think, to have a fresh view on things. So I will be happy to listen to you. And I think the comment of the members, I think of the commentary, I think to make this, this initiative a success, I think for the farmers, for the actors of the chain. But I will say, I think, you know, for all the citizens, I think in the EU, because I think everybody is a consumer of food product. And I think, you know, having an agri food chain observatory that works is for the benefit of us all. Thank you very much.”
EU framework for voluntary quality and sustainability terms in food marketing
- “And in response, I think the Commission presented in March 2024. So almost one year ago, a reflection paper presenting a range of short term, medium term and longer term measures to both strengthen the position of farmers in the food chain and also in support of the well functioning of the agri food chain. And one of the immediate actions proposed was the creation of the of an EU agri food chain observatory via Afco. To better understand the challenges faced by farmers and other actors of the chain, and to improve the transparency within the agri food supply chain, including when it comes not only to prices but also to production costs and margins. And as you said, the observatory was established in spring 2024 and consists of a group of experts gathering member states, together with representatives of actors working on all along the food supply chain, including farmers, input providers, the food industry, retailers and consumers. It's around, I think, 75 experts, I think, which are basically gathering, you know, 2 or 3 times a year in the context of Avco. Avco primary objective is to promote a better functioning and a more sustainable food supply chain that brings benefits to all actors. Working along the chain, of course, should help laying the ground for a more stable and, Fair remuneration for the contribution and work of all actors in the chain. Members of the group share data. They share experiences on the functioning of the chain in an open, in a transparent and in a trustworthy manner, including as regards the price development.”
Food waste · EU policy on farmer–buyer relations in the agri-food supply chain
- “We already started to use, I think, some of these analysis, uh, in order to support, I think the, the first, uh, legal initiatives that were adopted by the commission, initiative related, I think, to the amendment of the CMO for strengthening, I think the the position of farmers in the food chain with improved conditions of contractualization improving. Also, I think the way I think cooperation is being undertaken in the in the food chain. But I think of course, I think we will use the work. I think of this and the output of this Avco in order to support, I think, the evaluation that we are currently undertaking of this UTP directive. I think the directive for fighting against unfair trading practices, and also in order to better evaluate and analyze. I think the experience and of different regulatory initiatives that exist in some in some countries, in France, in Spain, in Hungary, etc.. Madam Jamar was talking about retail alliance, etc. for this in order to analyze. I think to what extent this return alliance are beneficial or not, to the functioning of the food chain. I think we need to have information at producer level, at consumer level. We need to better understand, I think, the distribution of value added. And clearly I think Avco is meant to contribute, I think, to the provision of this information in order to to have a solid analysis and understanding, I think of the of the impact, I think, of this retail alliance, and also on different experiences that exist in some Member states with regard to specifically, you know, regulation specific regulation regarding, I think, the prohibition of sale below cost.”
EU policy on farmer–buyer relations in the agri-food supply chain · EU restrictions on unfair commercial practices
- “Et cetera. Et cetera. So we we are starting we are also doing some work regarding, I think, the the potential of ICT information and communication technologies in, you know, bringing an additional market transparency and while minimizing the cost. And as I said so far, we are relying on existing data sets, what exists in the European institution but also at stakeholder level. We do not exclude, I think, to generate, I think, new databases, but I think this will be something that we will see in the future. And in this context, I think the ICT represents an artificial intelligence, blockchain, etc. represent a vast area of technological development that can really improve the reliability, the quality and minimize the cost of collecting these this information. So we at the beginning of the Afco and I would like to thank you for your support. But clearly the Afco is meant having to be, you know, one of the most important, you know, data provider and transparency provider in order to design, I think the best policy making and policy decision to be taken in order to further improve the functioning of the agri food chain and in particular to the benefit of the farming community. Thank you.”
Digital and precision farming
- “Thank you very much, chair, and good afternoon, everybody. First of all, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to exchange views with you regarding the market situation in particular. Agricultural markets. And I would like to start, I think as you did, Mr. Chair. With some elements concerning the macroeconomic environment and about the input side. Because I think this new environment is leading to some, you know. Improvement of EU 27 general inflation. But also I think the energy prices have decreased by 2.1% and 4.7%, respectively, in September 2024. While I think food inflation has stabilized below 2% on an annual basis in the most recent months, which has a positive impact on the affordability of food. On the agricultural input side, I think about the cost of agricultural input. Decrease in the third quarter of 2024 with a drop in the prices of fertilizer by 8% Percent and a drop in the price of animal feed, also by 8%. However, despite having this positive development, it is important to keep in mind that input prices remain significantly higher than they were in 2020, something like. Plus we are 30% higher than where they were, you know, where we were four years ago. And for fertilizers, we had 58% above. I think the level of fertilizer prices in the early 2020s. Let me turn now to the situation of agricultural markets.”
Use of fertilisers
- “This high level group on wine in the future. The one policy we are looking at, you know, some potential solution in order to help the sector and to have, you know, positive and constructive, you know, perspective. I think this for this important sector in the EU. A reaction concerning the strategic reserves. Yes, I think we started to discuss this in the context of the Efsm. So the European Food Security and Crisis Preparedness mechanism, we are looking at this. We are going to come back, I think, on this issue of strategic reserve, when we will debate and discuss about, you know, how to what are the lessons that we can draw from the Ministry report in order to better prepare the EU in case of a crisis? So this is an element that I think we are reflecting upon. But I have already answered this question last August, I think when we discuss something about all that. A question on honey production. Honey production will increase in 2022. In the most recent period in 2022 we don't have figures yet. I think for 23 and 24 I have checked that with my colleagues. I think the statistics in any sector always arrive a bit later. So we are continuing to monitor that. But I think we don't have the latest updated information. I think that you ask regarding any production, but I think more generally I would like to to underline that.”
Food waste
- “Fourthly, and I would like to come back on some of the issues which have been raised this afternoon. I think a general reflection on amendments concerning the alkalized wine on the names light or reduce or low. I believe that we must strive to agree on a single name that can be used consistently, consistently across. I think the single market and that is both clear and appealing to consumers. Multiple alternative names or unattractive names would be detrimental to this growing product segment, and risk confusing consumers and represent a burden, I think, for operators. Fifth, and my last point I would like to make is that the amendments proposed on promotion and on the rate of support, I think, for other interventions in the strategic plan should be considered very carefully, in particular in the current unstable context. So to conclude, and as stated by Mrs. Herranz Garcia in the report, the strategic vision of the European Parliament will be essential to progress efficiently during the trilogue and get the regulation adopted very swiftly in order to bring a most needed support to the EU wine one sector and a trust. I think we will achieve that. Thank you very much.”
EU Single Market harmonisation
- “Thank you very much, chairman, and thank you very much. I think to all the members, I think, who took the floor, I think their intervention, um, to a very large degree, I think do confirm, I think the, the need and do welcome and support. I think the establishment of the of the, of the agri food chain of the battery. And I would like to thank you for that. I understand there's a lot of expectations. I think this of course, created, I think last year with the first meeting taking place in July of 2024. So I think we will not be made in one day. But if we take if we take a while. But I think in, in our view, I think this is an absolutely necessary, indispensable tool if we are to increase transparency, if we are to improve, I think the functioning of the food supply chain and if we are, if we want, I think, to develop a common and shared analysis, I think of the situation, of the difficulties, of the weaknesses of the functioning of the chain. The chain, I think, is working in general rather well in the EU. But there are some problems here and there. There are some difficulties. There are some imbalances in the bargaining power. I think, of different members of the chain. Most of the time at the expense, I think of farmers. I think there are difficulties in some sectors about, I think the the distribution of value added, etc..”
Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights) · EU policy on farmer–buyer relations in the agri-food supply chain
- “Thank you very much, Mr. Buda. Thank you very much, chairman. I would like, first of all, I think to thank you for giving me the opportunity to update you. I think, as you said, on the establishment and the development, I think the undertaking of the afco, course, in the agri food chain observatory. I will start, I think, by providing you, I think with a few words of the of the context. I think that governance, I think the establishment of Afco, as we all know, I think the Covid 19 pandemic, I think the surge in energy prices and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have led to unprecedented EU food price inflation, peaking at almost 20% year on year in March 2023, affecting farmers, affecting consumers and impacting on the cost of the whole agri food supply chain and farmers in particular, faced at that time very significant cost increases. In response, I think the commission launched a range of actions, including the Food Security Communication in March 2022, communication aimed at ensuring the availability of food and continued functioning of the internal market, and also a communication aimed at Mitigating with food price inflation and in such a difficult context, I think the farmers protest at the end of 23 and early 2024 further highlighted, I think, the need to strengthen, I think, the position of farmers in the agri food chain. Eu farmers are clearly positioned and the weak link in this chain with less bargaining power vis a vis more concentrated actors in other parts of the chain, in particular the upstream and downstream.”
EU policy on farmer–buyer relations in the agri-food supply chain · Direct payments to farmers (pillar 1)
- “But we are still, in terms of price, largely above, I think, the five year average. Exports of pork have been decreasing in the first six months of this year, and this is in particular linked, I think, to development in China, since China absorbed roughly 25% of our pork exports, I think from the EU. Let's turn now to poultry. Eu poultry production continues to expand and quite significantly, the broiler price is also increasing by around I think 7% as compared to the record level already registered in 2023. So things are going rather well for the poultry sector. And if we combine this high level of prices with lower feed costs, I think this is leading. This is triggering, you know, improved margin. I think in the poultry sector in the EU, poultry exports have also increased in the first semester, mainly driven by higher levels of exports to the UK and the EU. Import and decrease notably, you know, in imports from Brazil and from Ukraine. A few words on eggs. Egg prices are increasing following the seasonal pattern. I think 2% above the level that we had last year, and 32% on average as compared to the last five years. So on an historical basis. Eu trade has increased in the first seven months of this year.”
Export of EU agri-food products