July 25, 2022

EU proposes temporary suspension of EU crop rotation rules

The European Commission has proposed a temporary suspension of EU crop rotation rules to boost output of cereals and prevent a possible worldwide food security crisis because of the Ukraine conflict, Reuters reported.

According to the European Union executive's plan, which was developed in response to a request from the bloc's member states, the temporary derogation would put 1.5 million hectares of land to production.

The report said the war in Ukraine, where food security issues may surface in the near future, poses significant risks to the world food system, adding that every tonne of cereals produced in the EU will contribute to enhancing global food security.

The measure, if formally adopted by EU member states, would not allow the planting of crops typically used for animal feeding, such as maize and soy, and would only be applicable in 2023 for land that would be set aside in accordance under Common Agriculture Policy rules.

The Commission's proposal stated that it sought to strike a careful balance between the protection of biodiversity and soil quality, between the availability and affordability of food around the world.

-      Reuters