EU pumps €200m into agri-food promotion
The European Union has announced plans to allocate €200.9m towards promotional activities for EU agri-food products in 2020.
According to the EU, the funding will help promote such products ‘at home and abroad’. Under the 2020 promotion policy work programme, EU policy will help the sector take advantage of the ‘expanding’ and ‘increasingly dynamic’ global agri-food market.
Such policy, which has been adopted by the Commission, will also help raise awareness on quality schemes, including organic produce, and help producers if they face ‘market disturbances’.
“Our promotion policy with an ever-increased budget supports EU producers in making their products known both in the EU and outside but also in facing market difficulties by raising more awareness on their produce,” said agriculture and rural development commissioner Phil Hogan.
More than half of the budget (€118m) will be allocated to promoting the EU agri-food sector outside of the bloc, in areas of ‘high-growth potential’, such as Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and the US. Eligible food categories include dairy and cheese, table olives, olive oil, and wine.
Promotional activities will also help inform EU and global consumers about geographical indications and/or organic products. And within the EU, funding will help promote healthy eating and the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The calls for proposals for the upcoming 2020 campaigns will be published in January 2020.
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