Brussels, 18/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - In response to the recent Green Book on agricultural quality products, the report of Maria Petre (EPP-ED, Romania), adopted (28 votes for, 8 against, with one abstention) on Tuesday 17 February by the European Parliament's agriculture committee, proposes a series of measures to promote the quality of European agricultural products. The European Commission intends to adopt a strategic document on agricultural product quality in May. Ms Petre's report, “Guaranteeing the quality of food products - Harmonisation and mutual recognition of standards” will be examined by the European Parliament during the plenary session on 9-12 March (Strasbourg).
The EP's agriculture committee calls for the indication on labelling, the country of origin of primary products and in the case of processed products, the origin of the main ingredients instead of the final processing. Such labelling such, according to members of this committee, also apply to European products and those imported from third countries. The agriculture committee is also requesting the further encouragement of facultative reserved indications such as “farmer”, “reared in the open air” etc. MEPs are also calling on the European Commission to submit draft legislation to impose the labelling of milk, meat and animal eggs fed on GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).
Protection of geographical indications. MEPs are supporting simplification of registration procedures and deadlines for obtaining geographical indications such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). To better protect these indications at national and international level, the report by Maria Petre is notably requesting the harmonisation of rules form member states, the setting up of strict controls and heavy sanctions to discourage the non-authorised use of these instruments and a stepping up in efforts by the Commission as part of WTO negotiations. Multilateral protected indications, for example, will have to be created and exported products that are, “exposed to the risk of takeover” should be allowed to benefit from international protection at the WTO, underline MEPs.
European quality agency. MEPs also call for the setting up of a “European Quality Agency” that closely collaborates with the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and related services at the European Commission in charge of processing requests for protected indications registration in third countries. They will also be supporting harmonised standards on maximum detection limits for pesticides banned in biological products.
MEPs also said they support simplification of marketing standards. When food safety rules are respected, MEPs say that “standards should not prevent access for products to the market on the basis of their aesthetic character, shape or size”.
The neo has the highest food production standards in the world and consumers, who are very attached to their gastronomic heritage, display a keen interest in safety, origin and food production methods. Nonetheless, increasing completion between third countries and domination of the food market distribution chain exercises increasing pressure on European food producers. (L.C./trans/rh)