European Union Seeks Green Standards

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European Union Seeks Green Standards
21 Jul 2022
5 min read

News Synopsis

In its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, the European Union has proposed separate chapters on sustainable food systems, energy, and raw materials. Part of the proposal sought profitable food systems, environmental performance standards, methane emissions measurement standards, and the facilitation of trade and investment in energy and raw materials.

Officials expect intense negotiations on these issues, which have been included in India's trade agreements for the first time. The second round of talks is set to begin in September.

A sustainable food system, according to the EU, is "profitable throughout (economic sustainability); has broad-based societal benefits (social sustainability); and has a positive or neutral impact on the natural environment (environmental sustainability), including climate change." 

The EU has also proposed an annual action plan to track progress by establishing goals and milestones.

"EU's proposal that food systems should be profitable, but our Public Distribution System is not. India will have to safeguard its interests on PDS and minimum support price if such an obligation kicks in," said an expert on trade issues.
Similarly, the EU proposed "reducing the use of antimicrobials, chemical pesticides and fertilizers, improving animal welfare and promoting sustainable food production methods and practices, such as organic farming," which experts said, may have an implication on India's dairy produce and meat exports.

 

 

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