Afrucat, Assomela, ANP Pera Rocha, and the French Apple Pear Association (ANPP) met in Avignon last week to discuss 3 points that will determine the future of apple and pear production in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France.
© ANPP
Plastic packaging: The PPWR regulation is "impossible to apply"
The 4 associations are collectively asking the European Commission to exempt apples and pears from the PPWR regulation. "French and Spanish experience shows that it is impossible to apply the PPWR regulation to stone fruit production. The increased cost of packaging, higher retail prices, and the loss of quality and visibility of the fruit have led to a drop in consumption that runs counter to public health objectives," according to ANPP. Since the introduction of cardboard trays, bulk packaging has been regaining market share. "Coinciding with the disappearance of plastic packaging, we can see that for apples, the bulk share was 61% in 2019/20, 55% in 2022, and rose to 58% in 2024," explains Sandrine Gaborieau. "We know that the appearance of the fruit is a very important criterion for today's consumers, but with cardboard trays, the apples and pears are less visible. Besides, cardboard trays do not hold as well on the shelves."
Another difficulty is the distortion of competition between countries, which penalizes competitiveness. In this respect, the organizations are calling for a single coordination system for the EU, with no possibility for member states to over-transpose European rules. "Although the rules are now set at the European level, the member states actually remain free to apply them in their national law, with the consequent risk of different marketing standards in each country."
© ANPP
Plant protection: Associations call for harmonization of authorization decisions at European level
While the European bans on plant protection solutions are not open to debate, the possibility given to member states to modify the conditions of use is once again leading to distortions of competition within the European market, and it is damaging productivity. European apple and pear production is at a turning point. Any further restrictions, bans, or limitations on plant protection products will have irreparable consequences for production and, therefore, for food sovereignty and security. Afrucat, Assomela, ANP Pera Rocha, and ANPP are calling on the European authorities and national administrations to initiate reform as quickly as possible so that decisions to authorize the marketing of plant protection products are harmonized at the European level.
On the carbon footprint of apple and pear production
Regarding the carbon reduction targets set at the European level, the associations point out that there is little room for progress. "Work undertaken in various countries shows that orchards are already net carbon storers." As part of the discussions on CarbonAgri, they are asking the European Commission to take account of the "favorable situation of these crops."
For more information:
Association Nationale Pommes Poires
6 rue de Lyon - 75012 Paris
Phone: +33 (0) 1 53 10 27 80
Fax: +33 (0)1 53 10 27 88
contact@lapomme.org
www.lapomme.org