LIVESTOCK IN THE EU – Close to a proposal for origin label

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Key issues affecting the EU livestock sectors: 

Avian flu cases are soaring across Europe. More than 48 million birds have died in the past year in the UK and the EU. EU farmers may no longer have to remove the free-range label from their eggs in the event of an extended mandatory housing order. 

Impact of the opening of the EU market to Ukrainian poultry production. The lifting of tariffs and the suspension of quotas on Ukrainian agricultural products, including Ukrainian poultry for a year, has led to a surge in Ukrainian poultry imports into the EU. The European Commission has said it could re-impose duties if EU producers face serious difficulties. 

A German parliamentary group has called for the animal welfare label to be applied to products from other EU Member States and third countries. 

The Commission may present a proposal for EU-wide origin labelling early next year.

In Germany, piggeries should be converted to improve animal welfare.  This could result in a reduction of the pig population.

Germany tightens animal transport rules and calls for EU-wide monitoring. Germany will also tighten rules on antibiotics for livestock. 

According to the European Food Safety Authorityanimal transport times should be shortened to reduce the risk of antibiotic-resistant germs. 

The European Commission published in November a Communication on “Ensuring the availability and affordability of fertilisers”. The text sets out long-term objectives for Europe and the rest of the world. 

MEPs call for initiative on mental health in agriculture 

Members of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee have called for concerted efforts to support the mental health of EU farmers as pressures mount on the already strained sector. 

The European Parliament has called for a downgrading of the protection status of wolves in the EU to help protect the livestock sector. 

This resolution could put political pressure on the European Commission to re-evaluate its approach to the management of wolf populations.

full note available on FE Members’ area