The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Brazil test on standards for food imports
The EU has been struggling for 20 years to finalise a trade deal with the South American Mercosur countries, including Brazil.
As recently as last week the Europe farming lobby again underlined its opposition to the deal, on grounds damage to the beef industry is inevitable from reduced-tariff imports.
This is set to become a post-Brexit issue for the UK, in the aftermath of an agreement with Brazil to look at ways to reduce tariff barriers and accelerate trade. European opposition to the Mercosur deal is around rainforest damage to create agricultural land.
If the UK wants an early deal it will have to downplay this issue, despite its commitment to green policies, while accepting beef imports as part of any deal. This could be the first touchstone issue where the government commitment to protect food standards will be tested in earnest.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The EU has launched a new strategy to deal with the effects of climate change in and beyond Europe.
It says that over the years ahead water will become a limiting resource, going so far as to suggest the film Mad Max – The Fury Road could become reality long before the 2050s it was set in.
The report paints a picture in Europe of eroding coastlines and rising temperatures.
It says the trend will be for fertile soils to move steadily north and to higher ground, with significant consequences for local economies.
The report warns that even if greenhouse gases were eliminated today the problems locked into the system will take decades to reverse.
The strategy, which could make the EU the world’s greenest trading bloc, covers everything from building design to farming and the environment.
It has been welcomed by the farming lobby in Europe.
ORGANIC FOCUS
Members of the European Parliament’s powerful agriculture committee have challenged the European Commission’s increasingly green approach to food promotion.
MEPs claimed it was wrong that 50% of some promotional budgets should be ring-fenced for organic products, which represent just 7% of European farming.