Brussels, 01/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has finalised a set of criteria for a “mountain product” label. This new European label is optional, and comes within the framework of the regulation on the quality package for agricultural products that took effect in June 2913. Those working in the sector, however, consider the exception criteria for processing are too slack but that when it comes to feed, on the other hand, the criteria are too strict, especially for the pigfood sector.
Interservice consultation at the Commission on delegated acts, allowing a more exact definition of the exemptions to this optional “mountain product” label, ended on 17 October. The draft implementing regulation was presented the following day to the consultative group on quality.
The European association Euromontana, which defends the interests of mountainous areas, is seeking to have the text amended. The association considers that the European Commission is placing mountain supply chains in danger by distorting the provision. The Commission's plan to allow the right to use the “mountain product” label for products that may have been processed within a perimeter of up to 30 km from the edge of the mountain region poses a problem for Euromontana. The new rule is considered too flexible as it would allow products processed in Milan and Turin to benefit from the “mountain product” label. The association requests that the “mountain product” label should apply only to true mountain products, those that are produced in the mountains and that are clearly of benefit to the mountain economy. The European Commission, however, believes the proposal is of a pragmatic nature. The (30 km) derogation only concerns the processing of milk, not the production of milk. Furthermore, the definition of “mountain” varies from one member state to the next. Some include plains, others do not. Also, it is sometimes impossible to set up processing units in the mountains. It is in order to put all member states on an equal footing that the Commission offers the possibility, on a voluntary basis, to authorise processing units located at some 30 km from the mountains.
Mountain pigs.
At the European Commission, it is felt that the most important thing is for the unprocessed farm product to come from the mountains - which is another bone of contention between those working in the sector and the Commission. Euromontana deems that the demands concerning feed cannot be implemented by certain channels, such as pig farming, and in this case would like there to be derogations. Euromontana regrets in particular that no reference is made to exceptional climatic conditions. The Commission stipulates there should be a minimum of 60% of feed produced in the mountains for ruminants and 50% for non-ruminants, such as pigs. The European Commission considers that simply the fact that a product is processed in the mountainous area is not enough to differentiate it from any other. It criticises Euromontana for saying that “a pig that breathes mountain air is a mountain pig”.
The Commission is willing to be flexible over the 30 km perimeter but not over the derogation relating to animal feed.
The European Commission regulation is in the process of finalisation and will then be submitted to consultation with the World Trade Organisation (WTO),which allows 60 days for any comments to be made by international partners. The delegated acts may then be adopted according to the normal procedure (consultation of member states and the European Parliament) so that they may be finalised by the end of the current term (summer 2014). (LC/transl.jl)