Ref. Ares(2018)5561837 - 30/10/2018
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
SECRETARIAT-GENERAL
Directorate D
SG-D-3 – Resource Efficiency
Brussels, 20 April 2017
SI(2017) 164
NOTE TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION
Subject:
Meeting of the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA)
Brussels, 10 April 2017 - Summary record
Regarding the OMNIBUs regulation, the Committee supported the final Presidency
compromise, despite a few Member States still having reservations. Once the silent procedure
is ended, the text will be forwarded to Coreper II, via the Friends of the Presidency Group, for
inclusion in the overall Council position.
The Committee held another exchange of views on the Proposal for a Regulation on organic
production and labelling of organic products. In addition to drafting sessions at technical level,
another (final) exchange of views (and mandate request) is foreseen for the SCA on 24 April
with a view to the next Trilogue meeting of 3 May.
Finally, the EEAS and the Commission updated the Committee on the state of play regarding
the practical implications of the European Court of Justice ruling of 21 December 2016 on the
trade and agriculture agreement with Morocco, and on the way forward.
[signed]
Further information:
1.
Adoption of the agenda
I
2.
Summary record of the 1547nd meeting of the SCA
57805/17 CRS CSA 7
Summary record adopted (but summary record to better reflect comments made by
delegation during future SCA discussions).
II
Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË - Tel. +32 22991111
Office: L130 - Tel. direct line
4.
Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on
organic production and labelling of organic products, amending Regulation (EU)
No XXX/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council [Official controls
Regulation] and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 (First reading)
= Exchange of views
The Presidency briefed the Delegations on the outcome of the drafting sessions and
presented possible compromise texts to the Delegations.
Almost all delegations expressed scrutiny reservations following the late transmission of
the texts. Although most delegations expressed preliminary concerns regarding the
provisions under the controls section, many recognised that the text is going in the right
direction, but more detailed comments will be sent in writing The main doubts regarded
the content of delegated and implementing acts, the frequency of controls, the removal of
the word “serious” in relation to non-compliance, the fact that any unannounced
inspection should be risk-based.
On limitations on retailers selling unpacked products, some delegations were concerned
that the proposal implies a too heavy administrative burden, and the system would be
difficult to control in practice. Moreover, some found the criterion based on the cost of
the certificate is too complicated to calculate, while the other criteria should be updated
regularly and adapted to each MS. On the other hand, it was mentioned that this system
would hamper harmonisation, as MS may set lower limits.
On databases/derogations, many delegations welcomed the Commission text proposal on
making the information available by 30 June. Some delegations expressed concerns over
the fact that too many data are still required for the databases and that, for animals, there
should be no fixed end date of derogations, rather their expiration should be linked to the
results of the COM report on availability.
In this context, the Commission thanked the Presidency for having accepted a number of
drafting sessions and reiterated that the 4 main political issues should continue to be
considered as a package. On greenhouses, the Commission recognised progress has been
made, but we should not depart from the basic principles of organics. On controls, it
stressed the need to provide the organic sector and consumers with a clear set of rules
reflecting a robust control system; these rules apply in addition to the rules under the
Official Controls Regulation. Moreover, the system should ensure the necessary
flexibility to meet future challenges and be able to evolve according to the needs of a
dynamic sector.
COM flagged that there has been a drafting mistake under article 26b concerning the
verification that the requirements for the exemption are fulfilled: this should concern
both pre-packed and unpacked products (as opposed to unpacked only, as the current
reference points to).
The Cion underlined the need to have databases and information systems in place (with
credible derogations deadline), but it is ready to work further with MS to improve the
text. It added it is necessary to have a limit for exemptions for retailers selling unpacked
products as risks are higher, and reminded MS that these criteria should also apply when
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Reporting:
DG AGRI, Unit A.5 Tel.:
6.
Organisation of future work
The next SCA meeting will take place on
24 April in Brussels. The provisional agenda
includes Organic production
(Omnibus not expected to be discussed).
The next AGRIFISH Council is foreseen for
11 May. Only Coreper items are currently
foreseen (no SCA points).
Reporting:
DG AGRI, Unit I.5 Tel.:
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