Nicosia, Cyprus. European Affairs Deputy Minister Marilena Raouna said the European Union’s newly adopted simplified rules on the use of biocides in food and feed production would benefit industry while maintaining safeguards. The Council of the EU said the changes would preserve the EU’s strict food and feed safety requirements.
Cyprus comments on adopted amendments
Raouna said the law showed that targeted amendments can deliver significant results for industries. She said extending certain data protection periods would ensure fair treatment for companies while safeguarding fair competition within the internal market, ahead of a full evaluation of EU biocides rules.
Raouna said the passage of the new rules was another deliverable achieved during Cyprus’ six-month term holding the Council of the EU’s rotating presidency, under what she described as the “simplification agenda”. She added that simplification remains a central priority.
Council outlines aim and scope of the rules
The Council of the EU said the new rules aim to improve the functioning of the biocidal products market in the EU while ensuring a high level of protection for humans and the environment.
Biocidal products are typically used in farming to control, destroy and repel microorganisms and organisms using chemical or biological means.
Part of EU simplification omnibus packages
The changes form part of the EU’s simplification omnibuses, packages of legislative changes intended to simplify and reduce the volume of European legislation. Regulations related to food and feed safety constitute the tenth and final omnibus.
Three simplification omnibuses concerning sustainability, EU investments and the bloc’s common agricultural policy have been completed. The fourth omnibus, presented by the European Commission last September, concerns small- and medium-sized businesses and digitalisation. The fifth, presented in November, concerns defence readiness, and the sixth, also presented in November, concerns chemicals.
In November, the commission presented the seventh omnibus, concerning the digital sector. The final three omnibuses were presented in December, covering the environment, the automotive industry and food safety.
How do you expect the new EU biocides rules to affect food and feed production in your country?
