Considerations on COM(2021)450 - EU position in the International Grains Council with respect to amending the definition of ‘grain’ or ‘grains’ under the Grains Trade Convention, 1995

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dossier COM(2021)450 - EU position in the International Grains Council with respect to amending the definition of ‘grain’ or ‘grains’ under the ...
document COM(2021)450 EN
date October  5, 2021
 
table>(1)The Grains Trade Convention, 1995 (‘the Convention’) was concluded by the Union by means of Council Decision 96/88/EC (1) and entered into force on 1 July 1995.
(2)Article 2(1), point (e), of the Convention defines the meaning of ‘grain’ or ‘grains’ for the purposes of the Convention. Members of the International Grains Council may decide to amend that definition in accordance with Article 32 of the Convention.

(3)On 14 May 2021, the Secretariat of the International Grains Council proposed to add pulses to the definition of ‘grain’ or ‘grains’ under point (e) of Article 2(1) of the Convention, with effect from 1 November 2021. According to that proposal, ‘lentils, dry peas, chickpeas, dry beans, other pulses and their products shall be included in the definition of “grain” or “grains” under Article 2(1)(e) of the Grains Trade Convention, 1995’.

(4)In accordance with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (draft) Definition and classification of commodities, 1994, ‘Pulses are annual leguminous crops yielding from one to 12 grains or seeds of variable size, shape and colour within a pod. They are used for both food and feed.’.

(5)It is appropriate to establish the position to be adopted on the Union’s behalf within the International Grains Council as regards the amendment of the definition of ‘grain’ or ‘grains’ under the Convention, as extending the product coverage of the International Grains Council through the addition of pulses to the definition of ‘grain’ or ‘grains’ is in the interest of the Union,