Brussels, 04/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - A study commissioned by the European Commission and published on 1 February, shows that flexibility might be needed in the exceptions to the rules governing the use of the term “mountain product”. The study says that, in the absence of a derogation to the general principle that mountain products must be produced and processed in mountain regions, the scope of application of the “optional quality term” could be reduced.
The study indicates that animals cannot be 100% fed in the mountains and that the processing capacities of mountain regions are not enough to process all locally produced primary agricultural products. It also says that the mountain processing industry traditionally incorporates ingredients from lowlands. It considers that an appropriate solution could involve implementation rules guaranteeing that added value is broadly obtained in mountain areas.
The new regulation (1151/2012) for quality systems applicable to agricultural products and foodstuffs includes a simplified regime for a certain number of these regimes and the introduction of another optional quality term “mountain product”. The new rules came into force on 3 January. The Commission is currently introducing practical rules (guidelines) clarifying the way in which farmers can use the term “mountain product” and possible derogations. Under the regulation on quality, the term “mountain product” can only be used to describe products for which both the raw materials and the feed for the farm animals that come “essentially from mountain areas”. In the case of processed products, the processing must also have taken place in the mountain region in question.
The Commission has the power to adopt delegated acts for possible derogations to these rules. This relates to conditions in which primary agricultural products or animal feed outside of mountain zones can be authorised and the conditions in which product processing can be carried out outside mountain zones, in geographical zones whose definition still needs to be addressed. The Commission indicated that this study would form the basis of this process.
For possible derogations, the Commission is required to consult an expert group on sustainability and quality of the farming and rural development. The first meeting of this group took place on 29 January. On the basis of these consultations, the Commission will adopt the delegated act, which will be submitted to the customary inter-services consultation for a six-week period. The European Parliament and Council will then have the right of scrutiny for three months. (LC/transl.fl)