Promotion of EU farm products

 

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) No 1144/2014 — information and promotion measures concerning agricultural products

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

It lays down the conditions under which the EU budget will finance the promotion of agricultural products and certain other food products within the EU and internationally.

KEY POINTS

Recognising that one of the European Union’s great strengths is the quality and diversity of its agri-food products, this law aims to open up new markets and diversify trading partners by increasing funding for promotional activities. It specifically focuses on markets in non-EU countries with the highest growth potential. The measures seek to increase awareness and recognition of:

• the high quality of EU products in terms of taste, diversity and traditions;
• the EU’s high production standards, including food safety, traceability, nutritional and health aspects, animal welfare, respect for the environment and sustainability;
• the EU’s quality schemes, the authenticity of protected designations of origin, protected geographical indications and traditional specialities.

The measures also contain provisions to restore normal market conditions in the event of market disturbance, loss of consumer confidence or other problems.

Eligible products under this regulation are listed in Annex I of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (excluding tobacco) supplemented by Annex I of this regulation to include, among others, beer, confectionery, bread, cakes and pasta.

The activities covered consist of public relations and information campaigns, and may also take the form of participation in national and international events, fairs and exhibitions. Programmes can be proposed by trade organisations, producer groups or established agri-food sector bodies representing the products concerned.

The European Commission is responsible for formulating an annual budgeted work programme and setting priorities and objectives, and can propose its own promotional initiatives.

Under the regulation, national co-funding will disappear, with EU co-financing rates raised to 70 % for simple programmes presented by an organisation from a single EU country, 80 % for multi-EU country programmes and those targeting non-EU countries and 85 % for crisis measures. An additional 5 % allocation is available for beneficiaries from EU countries that are receiving special financial assistance (for example, countries with serious difficulties as regards their balance of payments).

FROM WHEN DOES THIS REGULATION APPLY?

I has applied since 1 December 2015.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

• Promotion of EU farm products (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) No 1144/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on information provision and promotion measures concerning agricultural products implemented in the internal market and in third countries and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 3/2008 (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, pp. 56-70)

last update 26.06.2018