CHAFEA’s 2021 Work Programme. Topics, grants, all you need to know

In this article we will summarize the most important parts of CHAFEA’s 2021 work programme. From the thematic priority, grant amounts, eligibility criteria, implementation and much more.

1. Maximum rates of Union financing of the eligible costs

For a simple programme in the internal market, the co-financing will be 70%, in the case of a programme for third countries it will be 80% of the eligible costs. In the case of multiple programmes, the ratio will be 80% no matter whether it is for the internal market or for third countries. The ratio may be increased by 5% in the event of serious market disturbances.

For this kind of more general information about the CHAFEA programmes we have a specialized article. You can read it by clicking here.

2. Total grant ammount for 2021 Workprogramme

For this year the total amount for the CHAFEA’s 2021 work programme actions will be EUR 173.400.000. It will be divided into the following sections:

• Simple programmes: Total 86 million.
  • For internal market programmes: 32.1 Million
  • For third countries programmes: 48.9 Million
• Multi programmes: Total 87.4 Million.
  • For internal market programmes: 43.2 Million
  • For third countries programmes: 39.2 Million

3. Geographic priorities for agrifood promotion

The countries listed below will be the priority for CHAFEA’s 2021 work programme. Their choice is not random, the Commission services made a macro-economic analysis to know which will be the best options for the next year.

• China and South East Asia: due to continued GDP growth, population growth and past as well as forecasted growth of imports of agri-food products.
• Japan and South Korea: relevant in particular for high value EU agricultural products (PDO and PGI).
• Singapore and Vietnam: relevant for the entry into force of the EU-Singapore and EU-Vietnam free trade agreements (FTAs). Singapore is a prime location for agri-food trade, both in Asia and worldwide.
• North America: this region absorbs the largest share of agricultural exports from the EU despite the imposition of increased tariffs on certain agri-food products.
• Other geographical areas:
  • United Kingdom: key market for EU27 exports of beef, poultry, rice, fruits and vegetables, olive oil, wine and spirits.
  • Central and South American countries: may be attractive for specific EU agri-food products and in order to diversify markets.
  • Russia: exports to Russia continue to face restrictions due to the import embargo on a number of EU agri-food products which has been extended until the end of 2020. Despite the embargo, Russia remains the 5th largest EU export destination.
  • New Zealand and Australia: EU exporters may anticipate new market opportunities for in these markets.
  • The Near and Middle East: are displaying moderate GDP growth rates but the region remains a destination with significant potential for specific products. The region has also emerged as an alternative destination for EU agri-food products when the Russian ban affected export opportunities for EU exporters.

4. Actions under thematic priority

This section is to show and explain a little bit the topics that are more interesting to the European Union for the eligibility of CHAFEA’s 2021 work programme.

4.1 Simple Programmes in the Internal Market

Topic 1: Programmes on EU quality schemes (e.g. organic, GIs, ‘Outermost Regions’ logo). 5 Millions grant.

Increase awareness and recognition of:

• Quality schemes, protected desgination of origin (PDO), protected geographical indication (PGI), traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG).
• The logo for quality agricultural products specific to the outermost regions of the Union.

The expected impact is to increase awareness of the Union quality scheme, the consumption and raise their profile and market share.

Topic 2: Programmes on organic production. 6 Million grant.

The objective is to increase the awareness and recognition of the Union quality scheme on organic production. Organic production method should be a key priority in the internal market. This scheme provides consumers with assurances on the sustainability, quality and characteristics of the product.

Topic 3: Programmes on EU sustainable agriculture and the role of the agri-food sector for climate action and the environment. 6 Million grant.

Actions should highlight the sustainability of Union Agriculture, stressing its beneficial role for climate action and the environment.

• Climate change mitigation
• and at least one of the following:
  • Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources
  • Sustainable water management
  • Sustainable soil management
  • Sustainable, carbon-efficient methods of livestock production
  • Reduction of use of antimicrobials
  • Reduction of food loss and food waste
  • Sustainable consumption
  • Animal welfare

Topic 4: Information provision and promotion programmes aiming at increasing the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables. 9.1 Million grant.

This topic is about promote proper dietary practices, in line with the European Commission’s white paper on a strategy on nutrition, overweight, and obesity related health issues. Actions shall highlight the benefits of consuming fresh fruit and vegetables in a balanced diet.

Topic 5: Programmes highlighting the specific features of agricultural production methods in the Union and the characteristics of EU products in terms of quality, taste, diversity or traditions (=outside EU quality schemes). 6 Million grant.

The objective is to highlight at least one of the specific features of agricultural production methods in the Union, particularly in terms of food safety, traceability, authenticity, labeling, nutritional and health aspects, animal welfare, respect for the environment and sustainability, and the characteristics of agricultural and food products, particularly in terms of their quality, taste, diversity or traditions.

4.2 Simple Programmes in the Third Countries

Topic 1,2 and 3 about third countries.

The information and promotion programmes shall target one or more countries identified in the corresponding topic. The objectives of these programmes is highlight the specific features of agricultural production methods in the Union, particularly in terms of food safety, traceability, authenticity, labelling, nutritional and health aspects, animal welfare, respect for the environment and sustainability, and the characteristics of agricultural and food products, particularly in terms of their quality, taste, diversity or traditions.

China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Southeastern Asia or Southern Asia. 16.3 Million grant.

Canada, USA, Mexico. 8.3 Million grant.

Other geographical areas. 12.3 Million grant.

Topic 4: Information provision and promotion programmes on organic products. 12 Million grant.

The objective is to increase the information and promotion programmes on the Union quality scheme on organic production method. Sustainability, quality and characteristics of the product and the production process used and the environmental benefits they generate.

4.3 Multi Programmes in the Internal Market

Topic 1: Programmes on EU quality schemes OR Programmes highlighting the specific features of agricultural production methods in the Union and the characteristics of EU products in terms of quality, taste, diversity or traditions. 4.2 Million grant.

The same as the topic 1 in simple programmes in the internal market or the topic 5 in simple programmes in the internal market. Increase the recognition of Union quality schemes or specific features of agricultural production methods.

Topic 2: Programmes on organic production. 17 Million grant.

The same as the topic 2 in simple programmes in the internal market. The objective is to increase the awareness and recognition of the Union quality scheme on organic production.

Topic 3: Programmes on EU sustainable agriculture and the role of the agri-food sector for climate action and the environment. 12 Million grant.

The same as the topic 3 in simple programmes in the internal market.

Actions should highlight the sustainability of Union Agriculture, stressing its beneficial role for climate action and the environment.

• Climate change mitigation
• and at least one of the following:
  • Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources
  • Sustainable water management
  • Sustainable soil management
  • Sustainable, carbon-efficient methods of livestock production
  • Reduction of use of antimicrobials
  • Reduction of food loss and food waste
  • Sustainable consumption
  • Animal welfare

Topic 4: Information provision and promotion programmes aiming at increasing the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables. 10 Million grant.

The same as the topic 4 in simple programes in the internal market. The objective is to increase the information and promotion programmes on the Union quality scheme on organic production method. Sustainability, quality and characteristics of the product and the production process used and the environmental benefits they generate.

4.4 Multi Programmes in the Third Countries

Topic 1: Programmes on EU quality schemes OR Programmes highlighting the specific features of agricultural production methods in the Union and the characteristics of EU products in terms of quality, taste, diversity or traditions. 25.2 Million grant.

The same as the topic 1,2 and 3 in simple programmes in third countries. The objectives of these programmes is highlight the specific features of agricultural production methods in the Union, particularly in terms of food safety, traceability, authenticity, labelling, nutritional and health aspects, animal welfare, respect for the environment and sustainability, and the characteristics of agricultural and food products, particularly in terms of their quality, taste, diversity or traditions.

Topic 2: Information provision and promotion programmes on organic products. 14 Million grant.

The same as the topic 4 in simple programmes in third countries. The objective is to increase the information and promotion programmes on the Union quality scheme on organic production method. Sustainability, quality and characteristics of the product and the production process used and the environmental benefits they generate.

5. Actions for proposal for simple and multi programmes. Background.

These are the main points about the strategy “the farm to fork” of sustainable food system from CHAFEA’s 2021 work programme.

• Have a neutral or positive environmental impact
• Help to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts
• Reverse the loss of biodiversity
• Ensure food security, nutrition and public health, making sure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe, nutritious, sustainable food
• Preserve affordability of food while generating fairer economic returns, fostering competitiveness of the EU supply sector and promoting fair trade

6. Conclusions

This year it is clear that the focus is on sustainable growth related to the environment. The European Union wants to make it a priority how our products are produced and how environmentally friendly they are. In addition to making people aware of maintaining a healthy diet.

This work programme talks about some aspects of eligibility, implementation and more issues related to understanding the programme itself. We have a specialized article, even more complete, where we explain the most frequent questions about the agro-alimentary promotion programmes of CHAFEA by the European Union. You can also contact us and ask us directly what you need about these programmes.

If you need more information directly from the original source, you can visit the official document.