Only one AGRINFO Update has been issued in August, a time when activities tend to slow down during the European holiday period. Of particular importance in this newsletter is the reminder that national authorities must provide information on antimicrobials before November in order for countries to be able to continue exporting livestock and animal products to the EU. We also highlight upcoming opportunities to engage with the EU and give your input on new EU policies and regulations.

In this issue, we highlight new World Trade Organization notifications, indicating where and when exporting countries have an opportunity to comment on proposed changes to MRLs and the use of food additives. There are also new regulations that concern exports of some vegetables and cereals, including plant health rules to manage fall armyworms. Finally, our explanatory document on the EU organic regulations has been updated with links to FAQs recently published by the European Commission.

Of particular note in this issue: the European Commission has published a Frequently Asked Questions document clarifying its recently published Deforestation Regulation. There is an important opportunity for non-EU countries to provide feedback on a proposal to stop the export of pesticides that are not authorised in the EU, and to comment on a proposal to reduce the MRLs for eight active substances including prochloraz, a fungicide widely used on avocados, papayas, cereals and oilseeds.

This week saw the publication of three Regulations that may have significant implications for exporters: on deforestation-free commodities and products, affecting operators in the cattle, cocoa, coffee, soya and wood value chains; reducing MRLs for phosmet, a widely used insecticide, particularly on apples, citrus fruit and peaches; and increasing official controls on a range of products from specific origins.

The most significant developments in this issue include the upcoming reinforcement of requirements for exporters of animal products regarding prohibited antimicrobials; withdrawal of approval of the pesticide ipconazole; and some new novel and traditional foods. There is an opportunity to submit comments to the World Trade Organization on proposed adaptations to some hygiene rules for meat, fish, milk and eggs.

Find links below to our website at agrinfo.eu, where we give clear summaries about recent and upcoming changes, and actions that companies or authorities need to take to meet the new rules. The most significant developments in this issue include proposed new requirements for countries exporting honey to the EU, and updates to EU marketing standards. In each case there is an opportunity to submit comments on the proposals to the WTO.

Find links below to our website, where we give clear summaries about recent and upcoming changes, and actions that companies or authorities need to take to meet the new rules. If you need more information, contact us via the Ask AGRINFO service (available to subscribers working for public authorities, sector associations or farmer organisations in AGRINFO target countries.

Find links below to our database, where we give clear summaries about recent and upcoming changes, and actions that companies or authorities need to take to meet the new rules. If you need more information, contact us via the Ask AGRINFO service (available to subscribers working for public authorities, sector associations or farmer organisations in AGRINFO target countries.

Where policies and regulations are still under development, opportunities to provide feedback and influence the process are highlighted. This includes upcoming regulatory changes that have been notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and where there is a 60-day period during which comments or concerns about potential impacts can be submitted via the National SPS notification authority of the country concerned to the EU SPS Enquiry Point.

Where policies and regulations are still under development, there are opportunities to comment and influence the process. For example, the item below on the amended EU rules on food contact materials has been notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Following a notification, there is a 60-day period during which stakeholders can send any comments or concerns about potential impacts to the WTO via the National SPS notification authority of the country concerned...

EU proposes revisions to wine labelling - EU increases official controls on food and feed from certain non-EU countries - Proposed new regulation revising the generalised scheme of tariff preferences (GSP) - The EU’s blue economy strategy explained - Changes notified to World Trade Organization - New Regulations coming into force and application dates