Browse Data and Analysis

Germany is a member of the European Union (EU) and generally follows EU directives and regulations, including those relating to the importation of food products.

The United Kingdom (UK) is currently experiencing a significant outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Having entered the UK via the wild migratory bird population in October 2021, it has now spread to commercial poultry flocks.

Germany is the second largest organic market in the world. It holds good prospects for U.S. organic products, including tree nuts, fruits and vegetables, and processed food products.

On January 1, 2022, Poland implemented an amendment to the excise duty act on alcohol. The amendment increases the excise tax on alcohol by 10 percent and proposes the Excise Map, a schedule of additional excise tax increases of five percent each year during 2023-2027.

The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine published a draft order which, if passed, establishes a general framework for food safety system equivalency determination. As a part of this framework, Ukraine plans to cancel the Ukraine-EU equivalency status for products of animal origin, which was established in April 2014.

On December 6, 2021, the European Union published new rules concerning wine, dealcoholized and partially dealcoholized wine, and aromatized wine. These new rules introduce a compulsory nutrition declaration and a compulsory list of ingredients for wine products sold on the EU market beginning on December 8, 2023.

Austria, as a member of the European Union (EU), applies EU regulations to the imports of agricultural products. U.S. export certification requirements for most products destined for the EU are harmonized.

Germany launched a lobbyist registry on January 1, 2022. Registration is required for anyone who contacts members of the parliament or the federal government to influence the political process. This report gives an overview about the lobbyist registry and registration requirements.

Bulgaria acceded to the European Union (EU) in 2007 and follows EU directives and regulations pertaining to food safety, quality, and standards. This report outlines applicable legislation regarding U.S. food-product exports to Bulgaria, particularly those rules which differ from EU legislation.

On January 10, 2022, the King of the Netherlands swore in the new Dutch Cabinet of twenty Ministers and nine State Secretaries. The new Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality is Henk Staghouwer. He is member of the Christian Union (CU), a protestant party, with a left wing orientation on environmental issues.

On January 7, 2022, the Turkish Government published Biosafety Decisions on the import of genetically engineered (GE) soybean and corn events. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MinAF) approved one new soybean event and one new corn event for feed and cancelled the approvals of two corn events which expired on 12/24/2021.

This report outlines specific requirements for food and agricultural product imports into Austria. As a member of the European Union, Austria follows EU directives and regulations. U.S. food and agricultural suppliers to Austria should verify with local importers and appropriate U.S. regulatory agencies for the most current local requirements prior to shipping.