EC and US propose a framework for a joint approach on agricultural questions in WTO
Commission acts to limit levels of the mycotoxin "patulin" in apple products
Commission acts to prevent introducing exotic parasites affecting honey bees into the EU
What's new on the Commission's "Agriculture" web site?
Registration as PDO, PGI or TSG

13/08/2003 - Today the EU and the US presented a joint framework to relaunch agricultural negotiations. We have agreed that it is necessary for the two largest trading powers to develop a joint approach to the major issues dividing the WTO membership. It focuses on three areas, domestic support, market access and export competition. The joint paper reflects the great importance the EU and the US attach to their responsibility to pave the way for a successful and ambitious conclusion in Cancun and to provide added impetus to the cycle of trade negotiations.

In reaching this agreement the two trading blocs show their commitment to the success of this round and their determination to close some of the gaps that have until now stalled the negotiating process on agriculture. Further gaps and obstacles remain; it is now up to other WTO members to assume their responsibilities too by engaging in the negotiations in a flexible and constructive manner.

It is hoped that members will react positively to the fact that the EU and the US took the leadership to stimulate the negotiation process. This paper represents a balanced base for all members to engage in constructive negotiations and to demonstrate their commitment for further progress.

Joint paper [pdf]

12/08/2003 - The European Commission today adopted a set of measures to limit the presence of the mycotoxin "patulin" in fruit juices, particularly apple juice and other foods containing or derived from apples. Patulin is a toxic substance with suspected carcinogenic properties. It is a mycotoxin that can occur in many mouldy fruits, but the main source of patulin contamination is apple products. Exposure assessments have shown that the average exposure of the European population to patulin is well below the maximum tolerable daily intake (0.4 µg/kg body weight) established by the Scientific Committee for Food. Nevertheless, specific groups of consumers, especially small children, are more exposed since they tend to consume more apple products. In order to protect public health, it is therefore necessary to set a maximum level of patulin for those foodstuffs in which it most commonly occurs. The aim of the Commission measures adopted today is to limit the presence of patulin in food to the lowest reasonably achievable level. The first measure is an amendment of Regulation 466/2001, which sets maximum levels for patulin in a range of foodstuffs mainly derived from or containing apple products. A review of the maximum levels of patulin of 50 µg/kg with the aim of reducing these levels is foreseen. This review will in particular take into account the implementation of a Code of Practice foreseen in the following measure.

The Commission adopted a Recommendation, including the Code of Practice, on the prevention and reduction of patulin contamination in apple juice and other beverages containing apple juice ingredients, to be implemented by all operators in the processing industry. Thirdly, the Commission adopted a Directive on sampling methods and methods of analysis for the official control of the levels of patulin in foodstuffs. The Member States were consulted on these measures through the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health and gave a favourable opinion on 17 July 2003.

05/08/2003 - The European Commission today decided to add two exotic parasites - the small hive beetle Aethina tumida and the parasitic mite Tropilaelaps coleopteren - to the list of notifiable animal diseases. This means that all beekeepers must report suspicion of these parasites in their colonies to the appropriate authorities in their Member State. The small hive beetle can multiply to huge numbers within infested colonies where it eats brood, destroys combs and if uncontrolled ultimately destroys the colony. It is about a third the size of a honey bee. While the tropilaelaps mite is smaller, it can cause high mortality in bee colonies and deformities of legs and wings of bees may be seen. The presence of these diseases has never been reported in the EU. If introduced into the EU, the two exotic parasites could have devastating consequences on the health status of honey bees, on the apiculture industry and on the production of honey. In addition to making the parasites notifiable, other requirements for the import of bees and apiculture products are being prepared to keep these infestations out of Europe. The intention is to limit imports only to queen bees and to new or treated products for use in apiculture. The two parasites were added to the list of notifiable diseases in Annex A of the Directive that lays down animal health requirements for trade and imports into the EU (Directive 92/65/EEC), along with Ebola and monkey pox. The Commission's proposal to take this step was agreed with the Member States through the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health on 15-16 July 2003. The revised annex will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal and will then be directly applicable in all Member States.

"Newsletter" No 56 [pdf]

Applications for registration:

Peras de Rincón de Soto: PDO (OJ C 186 - 06/08/2003)

Applications to amend a specification:

Les Garrigues: PDO (OJ C 187 - 07/08/2003)

Registrations:

Fasolia Gigantes - Elefantes Kastorias: PGI (OJ L 203 - 12/08/2003)

European Commission
Agriculture Directorate-General
Information Policy Unit
B-1049 Brussels

To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, please log in here.

Send your comments and questions to the editor.

To receive a PLAIN TEXT version of the News Digest, please log in and change your subscription.

All previous issues of the Agriculture News Digest are available in the archive.

Some of the subjects covered in this News Digest might fall under the responsibility of a Commission Directorate-General other than the Agriculture DG.

Legal notice:

The contents of this digest are prepared by officials of the European Commission and represent their personal views on the subject matters. These views have not been adopted or in any way approved by the European Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the Commission or the Agriculture DG.

(c) European Communities, 2002-2003