Question· Question écrite30217open
France · National Assembly · 5 September 2020
Mr Jean-Baptiste Moreau questions the Minister of Agriculture and Food on the timetable for notification to the European Commission of the law relating to the transparency of information on agricultural and food products. The law provides for mandatory labeling of the origin of cocoa products. This measure raises a number of technical and legal questions. Indeed, the labeling of chocolate products falls under Directive 2000/36/EC. As specified in Article 4 of this directive, it is a text of maximum harmonization. Consequently, Member States do not have the possibility of adopting additional national provisions within the scope of the directive. This new labeling, if adopted as is, will only be imposed on French territory. It must therefore be the subject of notification to the European Commission and include a “mutual recognition clause”, stipulating that the labeling of origin of French cocoa can only apply to cocoa products manufactured on French soil. This would represent a significant distortion of competition for French companies and artisan chocolatiers facing their European competitors in a context of health crisis which has hit them hard with colossal losses of income during the Easter holidays when everyone was confined. French chocolatiers and small and medium-sized businesses that process chocolate in the territories do their job in a very competitive environment. They need to be fixed on the date of entry into force of this measure which involves heavy changes to be made and additional constraints (calling into question the confidentiality of French operators’ revenues; logistical issues in terms of packaging and labeling, etc.). In this context, he asked him if he could give him any information regarding the timetable for notification of the law (and article 1e/cocoa origin labeling) to the European Commission.
Question· Question écrite18512open
France · National Assembly · 3 September 2019
Mr. Jean-Baptiste Moreau draws the attention of the Minister of Agriculture and Food to the European program "fruit, vegetables and milk in schools" and its articulation with the objectives set in the law for the balance of commercial relations in the agricultural sector and healthy and sustainable food which was promulgated on November 1, 2018. The agriculture and food law provides for the implementation by January 1, 2022 objectives of 50% local products or under the sign of origin and quality including 20% products from organic farming in collective catering. Since August 1, 2017, French primary and secondary schools, communities, collective catering, product suppliers and distributors can benefit from the European “fruit, vegetables and milk in schools” program, financed 100% by the EU under the Common Agricultural Policy, to the tune of 35 million euros to be used by 2021. This program allows them to distribute fruits, fresh vegetables and dairy products to children and adolescents in order to guarantee a varied, balanced and healthy diet. These establishments can also use these funds to set up educational activities integrating the notion of “eating well”. Promote the benefits of a healthy diet for children and adolescents, awakening their taste for quality food products and encouraging the adoption of good eating habits is at the heart of the law resulting from the States General of Agriculture and Food. In this sense, it is essential to create a link between young generations and producers through the promotion of short circuits, local or regional products. or organic products in collective catering, establishments have a responsibility in their choice of supply. Thus, the European “fruit, vegetables and milk in schools” program appears to be a lever for achieving the objectives set. In this logic, he asks for a precise inventory of the number of establishments which have made a request to benefit from the “fruits, vegetables and milk in schools”, amounts already allocated and funds remaining available. He also asks how this program could be better coordinated with the agriculture and food law and whether directing this fund towards the achievement of the objectives set in the agriculture and food law is possible.