AIC Brings UK Crop Protection and Trade Priorities to Brussels
As the UK-EU relationship continues to evolve and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) negotiations remain a key priority, AIC has been representing Members’ interests in Brussels on crop protection regulation, maximum residue levels (MRLs) and agricultural trade.
AIC Head of Crop Protection and Agronomy Ellie Vinnicombe attended the European Crop Care Association (ECCA) Crop Protection Regulatory Conference, which brought together regulators, industry representatives and stakeholders from across Europe to discuss emerging policy developments.
A central theme was the EU’s proposed Food and Feed Safety Simplification Omnibus Package, which includes reforms to pesticide regulation and proposals affecting MRLs. The changes could have significant implications for international agricultural trade and third-country exporters seeking access to the EU market.
During the conference, Ellie joined a panel discussion on the implications of recent regulatory developments, providing the UK perspective on the current regulatory landscape and challenges facing the sector.
She also highlighted the important role the UK could play within the EU following an SPS deal and the need for an enabling regulatory system that ensures farmers have access to a diverse and sustainable crop protection toolbox.
A few days later, AIC Head of Policy and External Affairs Ed Barker spoke at a panel event at the British Embassy in Brussels, hosted by the UK Mission to the European Union.
Alongside representatives from Moa Technology, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Ed discussed the Omnibus package, crop protection, MRLs and trade in food and feed goods.
Ed outlined the UK supply and demand balance in grains, oilseeds and co-products, highlighting the pressures created by difficult harvest years, finite land availability and volatile input costs. He also emphasised the need for innovation, market confidence and fewer frictions to trade.
AIC also raised concerns about the potential impact of proposed changes to MRLs on necessary imports of feed products from third countries, particularly North and South America.
AIC will continue to engage with European partners and the UK Government as discussions progress, representing Members’ interests on regulatory developments that could affect UK agricultural supply chains and trade.
Authors
Ed Barker
