EU Food Information Proposal & GDA labelling:

State of play & challenges ahead

Lisa McCooeyDirector, CommunicationsConfederation of food and drink industries of the EU (CIAA)

The CIAA: Mission & Objectives

The CIAA represents the interests of the food and drink industry at the EU level and vis-à-vis international institutions.

CIAA participates pro-actively in the development of an environment where all European food and drink companies (whatever their size) can compete effectively for sustainable growth in the context of an enlarged

EU and global markets, meet consumers’ needs and deliver on targets set out in the CIAA Roadmap 2010-2011.

CIAA Roadmap provides the industry’s response to EC President Barroso’s vision for 2020:

“Europe 2020: A new economic strategySmart, sustainable & inclusive growth.’’

CIAA Membership

• National federations (26 in total, including 3 observers)- E.g.: FDF (UK), ANIA (FR), BLL (DE), Federalimentare (IT),

PFFI (PL), etc.

- Observers: Croatia, Norway,Turkey

• Sectors (26)- E.g.: CEEREAL, CAOBISCO, CEPS, EDA, ESA, IMACE,

UNESDA, etc.

• Large companies (20)

- E.g.: Coca-Cola, Danone, Heineken, Kellogg Company, Mars, Nestlé, Unilever, etc.

EU negotiations and the Food Information Proposal

• A sui generis system of law-making at the EU level

- Increasingly tripartite in structure- Technical and political

• Background: Adoption of EC proposal (Jan. ’08)

• Procedure: Co-decision

- Commission (DG SANCO) - European Parliament (EP) - Council: Rotating EU Presidency (every 6 months)

• Status: First Reading

- EP: Committee vote 16 March; Plenary vote in May- Council: Discussions ongoing ES Presidency BE

Presidency (1 July – 31 Dec. ‘10)

CIAA focus within the Food Information Proposal

4 key areas :

• National schemes

• Nutrition labelling

- Mandatory (FOP, BOP)

- Voluntary (GDAs, other…)

• Country of origin labelling

• Legibility

Where are we? EP & Council discussions

• Co-decision process

• Committee discussions- ENVI (Lead) Committee) (16 March) : Rapporteur is Dr. Renate

Sommer MEP (EPP-DE);

- AGRI (Opinion) : (vote 26 January)

- IMCO (Opinion) : (vote 23 February)

• Plenary vote (First Reading) (w/c 17 May)

• Second Reading: End of 2010/summer 2011

• Council: state of play

Technical challenges…

• ENVI outcome: Complex, mixed result; contradictory amendments

• Main concerns:

- Nutrition labelling

�Mandatory nutrient declaration (BOP) per 100g/ml for Big 10

�FOP labelling

� Sommer approach (Energy per 100g/ml BRH corner, 3mm font size)

� Portion information Vs. 100g/ml

�GDA labelling: mandatory (unintentional)

� (TLs rejected)

- National schemes

Political challenges…

Nutrition labelling (FOP Vs. BOP):• Sommer approach per 100g/ml - unlikely to compromise• GDA icon FOP for energy per portion only = difficult• Nutrient declaration – coherent approach• Avoid MTLs

National schemes• Little support in Council• May be accepted at First Reading in EP

Portions debate Vs. 100g/ml• Convince policy-makers: GDAs per portion increase their practical use

for consumers• Promote consistent industry approach

Timeline on the Food Information Proposal

EP 1st

reading vote

14-17/05

AGRI vote 26/01

ENVI debate 27/01

Council WG 29-30/03

ENVI vote

Jan Feb April MayMarch June July

Council WG 09/02

CouncilWG 11-12/01

Council WG 21/04

IMCO debate

25/01IMCO vote

23/02

Council WG 22/02

Council WG 11/05

COREPER 19/05

Health Council

8-9/06

Council WG 22/06

Portions ad-hoc meeting16/02 16/03

Second Reading stage end 2010/summer 2011

BE Presidency July - Dec

FIP timeline & CIAA advocacy

EP 1st

reading vote

14-17/05AGRI vote 26/01

ENVI debate 27/01

Council WG 29-30/03

ENVI vote 16/03

Jan Feb April MayMarch June July

Council WG 09/02

Council WG 11-12/01

Council WG 21/04

IMCO debate 25/01

IMCO vote 23/02

Council WG 22/02

Council WG 11/05

COREPER 19/05

Health Council8-9/06 Council

WG 22/06

EU Platform dinner debate

04/05

Portions ad-hoc meeting16/02

GDA postcard campaign

01/03Press

Briefings Ongoing

Comms on on-line GDA

quiz 01/03

Mockup labels15/02

MEP mailing quiz figures

15/03

F&B Int article ‘Benefits of

GDAs’18/03

European Voice Special Issue

01/03Euractiv

Special Sections

Strasbourg meetings

08/03

Portions lunch 02/03 &

follow-up press

statement

ENVI voting recommendation

BE Presidency July - Dec

Second Reading stage end 2010/Summer 2011

CIAA activities

NGO activities

• BEUC & Health NGOs remain committed to MTL ‘hybrid’ system:

- Discontent: FSA developments

- ‘Interpretative element’ FOP

- Background media briefings

- Sommer amendment (nutrient profiles)

• Anti-GDA campaign (Denmark):

- GDAs (2000Kcal; total sugars; portions)

- Good news…

• FOODWATCH – German NGO Brussels office

- Stepping up activities; clever use of the media

Conclusions

• Opportunity: first step in the EU negotiations; challenges remain• Encourage continued rollout of the GDA scheme de facto

European scheme?• Communicate on increased GDA uptake by operators/retailers • Boost and promote consumer awareness, understanding and use

of GDAs

To find out more, visit: www.gda.ciaa.eu