Vegan lobby wins consent for petition

The European Commission has agreed a controversial antilivestock citizens’ charter. It is a process that allows groups to seek EU-wide support for a policy. Once agreed, as it now has been, those behind the petition have six months to begin seeking signatures of support.

If they meet or exceed the million signatures threshold, the commission must formally respond, stating what action it will take.

The petition from animal welfare and green groups calls for an end to the “age of slaughter”.

It seeks legislation that would prevent the EU giving any financial support, including through the Common Agricultural Policy (Cap), to any form of livestock farming.

Instead they want resources directed towards plant-based agriculture, with extra funding to encourage vegan-style diets.

The so-called citizens initiative has little prospect of becoming policy, but it will secure publicity for its advocates and will be another trigger for criticism of farmers.

On that basis it is an issue over which the farming industry can be neither complacent nor dismissive.

Meanwhile the European Commission has agreed to suspend all import duties on agricultural products from Ukraine.

Given the dislocation of agriculture there because of the Russian invasion this may be more a gesture of solidarity than a practical policy.

This is the first time the

EU has agreed a blanket zero-tariffs, zero-quota deal and it is with a country that until the conflict was a major agricultural exporter.

The EU has also eased regulations to make it easier for Ukrainian lorry drivers carrying exports to enter and cross the EU. The issue remains whether Ukraine will be in a position to benefit.

Meanwhile, as expected, the UK Government has agreed to again delay implementing checks on food imports from the EU until at least the end of 2023.

This is because systems are still not in place and politically because the government is scared to take any steps that could leave it accused of adding to food price inflation.

DIRECTION OF TRAVEL: An EU citizens’ charter could be used to attack livestock farming.