The European Commission is set to introduce a legislative package aimed at simplifying regulations in the food and pesticide sectors. This initiative, known as the “Food and Feed Omnibus,” is designed to accelerate the authorization processes, reduce administrative burdens, and tighten regulations regarding pesticide residues in imported products.
The European Union is preparing for a comprehensive review of its pesticide and food safety regulations. The omnibus package will focus on expediting approvals for low-risk substances, minimizing bureaucratic obstacles, and enforcing stricter rules for imports. Recent discussions among EU agriculture ministers, convened by the European Commission and the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council, emphasized the urgency of this legislative reform.
The primary objective of this package is to make the regulatory framework more predictable for farmers. Specifically, it aims to provide indefinite authorization for pesticides that are assessed as low-risk. The plan includes replacing automatic renewals based on strict timelines with more targeted procedures grounded in scientific evaluations. Furthermore, the Commission is committed to significantly shortening the time required to bring new products to market, which can often take up to eight to ten years, particularly for biocontrol products.
Olivér Várhelyi, the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, highlighted the importance of ensuring that when a product is considered for removal, viable alternatives must be readily available for farmers. These alternatives should not only exist theoretically but must also be effective, accessible, and practical for real-world agricultural use. This commitment is a critical element of the Commission’s strategy to support farmers during the transition to safer substances.
In parallel with efforts to simplify regulations, the European executive is proposing stricter import rules. This includes a fundamental principle whereby substances banned in the EU cannot find their way back into the internal market via products imported from third countries. To reinforce this, the Commission has initiated the process to establish a “zero technical” residue level for three specific active substances: carbendazim, benomyl, and thiophanate-methyl. Implementing this zero threshold would effectively ban imports containing these residues.
These initiatives will be complemented by enhanced border controls, which will increase audits and checks for imported agri-food products. This is necessary to ensure the effective application of the EU’s food safety standards and protect consumer health.
This comprehensive initiative reflects a shift in the EU’s agricultural policy, aiming to balance health and environmental protection with the competitiveness of European farmers. The Commission anticipates that the simplification package could yield savings of approximately one billion euros annually for farmers, industry stakeholders, and regulatory authorities. It emphasizes that transitioning to safer substances must be supported by applicable solutions that meet the practical needs of those in the agricultural sector.
In summary, the European Commission’s legislative package aims not only to streamline the regulatory process but also to prioritize food safety and environmental sustainability. As part of this initiative, the EU is poised to strengthen its position on food imports while supporting its agricultural sector in adopting safer practices. This dual approach seeks to create a more efficient and safe food supply chain for both producers and consumers alike.