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This report provides an overview of EU food and feed legislation currently in force for the EU. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) staff reviewed and updated all sections of this annual report.

On October 8, 2024, the European Commission approved four genetically engineered crops (corn and cotton) for food and animal feed. The four authorizations were published in the European Union’s Official Journal on October 10, 2024, and they remain valid for 10 years.

This guide provides an overview of health certificates needed for exporting plants, animals, foods, and other animal origin products to the European Union.

EU milk production in 2025 is forecast to decline marginally to 149.4 million metric tons (MMT), from an estimated 149.6 MMT in 2024, as a result of declining cow numbers, tight dairy farmer margins, environmental regulations, and disease outbreaks.

The European Union (EU) follows a complex, rolling system of review for active ingredients and Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in food. For agricultural inputs, U.S. farmers must know early in the process of review to prevent or mitigate the loss of, and/or access to, chemical inputs.

Morocco notified WTO G/SPS/N/MAR/106 on August 7, 2024. The notification concerns animal feed additives registration. Comments are due October 6, 2024.

In 2023, Morocco was the second-largest export market for U.S. agriculture on the African continent, importing over $610 million in U.S. agricultural products, accounting for over 16 percent of all U.S. exports to Africa. The United States has seen total exports quadruple and agricultural exports double since entering into a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Morocco in 2006.

The European Union (EU) follows a complex, rolling system of review for active ingredients and Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in food. For agricultural inputs, U.S. farmers must know early in the process of review to prevent or mitigate the loss of, and/or access to, chemical inputs.

On July 11, 2024, the government of Morocco adopted Order No. 2-23-557 dated May 14, 2024, establishing standards for the quality, health safety, and labeling of animal feed production. An unofficial translation is included in this report.

On July 2, 2024, the European Commission approved three genetically engineered crops (maize/corn) for food and animal feed. The three authorizations were published in the European Union’s Official Journal on July 4, 2024, and they remain valid for 10 years.

The government of Morocco has issued a new code of procedures for the importation of animal meal, which previously had no established framework. This regulation now permits the use of animal meal in dog and cat food, opening opportunities for broader applications of rendered products in other animal feeds.

On December 7, 2023, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a new Regulation on the protection of animals during transport to replace Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005.