The NAT commission meeting held on 6 February saw lively discussion among CoR members and representatives of the European Commission on information provision and promotion measures for agricultural products on the internal market and in third countries.
On behalf of the European Alliance group, CoR rapporteur on the Sustainability of rural areas, Mr Jerzy Zająkała stressed the importance of adequate promotion of agricultural products because it creates employment and development in rural regions. Reacting to the European Commission's proposal which aims to limit labelling of geographical origin of products in order to stimulate competition, Mr Zająkała remarked that diversity is one of the founding principles of the EU and a huge asset of our continent which should be promoted and clearly mirrored in the promotion of its agriculture, both within the EU and abroad.
In addition to this opinion, NAT commission members also exchanged views on the European Commission's report on the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural genetic resources.
On today's meeting, EA member and Mayor of Panevėžys district municipality (Lithuania), Mr Povilas Žagunis was appointed rapporteur on the Proposal for a Regulation as regards the aid scheme for the supply of fruit and vegetables, bananas and milk in the educational establishments. His opinion will be first discussed in the next NAT commission meeting on 8 April.
