The Czech Republic and Slovakia, along with Hungary and Slovenia, put dual food quality back on the agenda of the meeting of agriculture ministers in Brussels on Monday 6 November.
These countries say that everyone has the right to buy products of the same quality when buying the same brand in different regions or countries. They say that non-discrimination is a key principle of the Common Market and criticise the way same-brand products of different quality are sold in different member states.
During his State of the Union speech in mid-September, the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, announced €1 million of finance for the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre to draw up a harmonised testing methodology (see EUROPE 11861).
An interpretative note on EU legislation into detecting fraud and abuse was also prepared and submitted to the member states to give them the legal means to take action. Since then, studies have been carried out that show that this practice of different standards in product quality is a common practice, admits Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan. He said he was above all concerned by any quality differences in products and dialogue is underway with industry in the sector because consumers must not be misled.
After a conference on this issue in Bratislava on 13 October (see EUROPE 11883), the Czech Republic and Slovakia were broadly satisfied with measures taken thus far.
‘A common testing approach under the co-ordination of the Joint Research Centre, the recently published guidelines of the European Commission and joint efforts by all stakeholders could contribute to addressing these unfair trading practices. However, it will be necessary to further maintain the dialogue and cooperation with all relevant actors at the national as well as at the EU level, with a view to continue tackling and eliminating this issue effectively,’ explains these countries in a memo to their colleagues at the Council.
The French and German agriculture ministers backed these countries but said over-complex systems should not be introduced (labelling, for example) to prevent dual quality in foods. (Original version in French)