Browse Data and Analysis

In March 2022, the European Commission published a legislative proposal to revise geographical indications (GIs) legislation. The new measures integrate specific sustainability criteria and aim to achieve a higher level of protection for GIs.

On March 31, 2022, the European Commission (EC) approved three genetically engineered (GE) crops (1 soybean, 1 rapeseed, and 1 cotton) and renewed the authorization for 1 cotton crop for food and feed imports. The three authorizations and one renewal were published in the European Union’s Official Journal on April 4 and 7, 2022, and they remain valid for 10 years.

The European Union (EU) follows a complex, rolling system of review for active ingredients and Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in food. For agricultural inputs, U.S. farmers must know early in the process of review to prevent or mitigate the loss of, and/or access to, chemical inputs.

The combination of COVID disruptions and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks led to a 1.8 percent decline in EU (European Union) chicken meat production in Calendar Year (CY) 2021. Despite ongoing HPAI outbreaks, easing COVID restrictions will likely result in a 0.2 percent increase in EU chicken meat production in CY 2022.

On May 2020, the European Commission announced a revision of the legislative framework for Geographical Indications (GIs) as part of the European Union (EU) Green Deal’s Farm to Fork Strategy.

Hong Kong continues to take random tests on imports of chilled and frozen foods and their packaging for the COVID-19 virus.

The European Commission is banning titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive in the EU, starting with a six-month phasing out period as of February 7, 2022, until August 7, 2022, after which a full ban applies. Following the publication of Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/63 in the EU’s Official Journal (OJ) on January 18, 2022, Annex II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives will be amended accordingly.

Both EU beef and pork production are forecast to decline in 2022. The lower domestic beef production is caused by a shrinking dairy herd with higher milk deliveries but a lower output of animals for slaughter.

As part of the European Green Deal's Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F), the European Commission (EC) aims to review EU legislation for animal welfare and align it with the general sustainability goals. In particular, the EC has requested the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provide scientific opinions for new animal welfare initiatives.

On February 16, 2022, the European Commission launched a four-week call for evidence on an upcoming report that will assess the rationale and legal feasibility of applying EU health and environmental standards to imported agricultural and agri-food products such as animal welfare standards, processes, and production methods.

Just over one third of the European Union (EU) budget, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2023-2027 was formally adopted after extensive stakeholder dialogue and negotiation between the co-legislating EU institutions: the European Commission, the Council of Member States (MS) Agriculture Ministers (AGRIFISH), and the European Parliament.

Climate change is an increasing challenge for Austrian agriculture and Austrian agricultural policy. The Austrian government tries to counteract the adverse effects of the climate change through specific climate protection programs and measures.