Brussels Announces Mechanism to Strip National Rules Added on Top of EU Law
The European Commission said Wednesday (Nov. 4) in its work program that it will step up action against so-called gold-plating — national governments layering additional requirements on top of EU directives — through a new “review and removal mechanism,” wochenblatt-dlv.de reported. Brussels plans to support member states in identifying and eliminating such cases, while the Commission said rights and obligations must be preserved and EU treaties fully complied with. It also aims to increase transparency about extra national requirements and their impacts.
Germany’s 2029 and 2036 Pig Housing Deadlines in Focus
The Commission’s animal welfare strategy had originally promised a proposal in the second quarter of 2027 to harmonize housing standards across the EU, including on sow stalls. A Commission spokeswoman left open whether that timeline will hold. Germany could push back its higher national requirements by citing the EU regulation, a move the German Farmers’ Association is demanding.
Separately, the Commission is still working on a legislative proposal to end cage housing for laying hens and broiler chickens, according to the spokeswoman. The animal welfare strategy also envisioned measures against the killing of male chicks from laying hen lines, but it remains unclear whether Brussels will move on that front. No further animal welfare revisions appear in the 2027 work program.
Beavers, Crows and Cormorants Could Lose Protection Status
In fall 2027, the Commission plans to review the EU’s biodiversity protection laws, chiefly the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive as well as Natura 2000. Norbert Lins, deputy chair of the EU Parliament’s agriculture committee, and environment spokesman Peter Liese, both of the EPP group, expect the Commission to lower the protection status of beavers, carrion crows, cormorants and certain goose species. In their view, the high protection standard for these species is outdated and population management is now needed.
Liese called both directives “hopelessly” outdated — the Birds Directive dates from 1979 and the Habitats Directive from 1992. On land protection, Lins is pushing for more flexibility, saying that “outdated protected-area classifications and rigid management requirements unnecessarily restrict our farmers.” Nature conservation groups warn that weakening nature protection would endanger the basis of life.
Digestate Spreading Capped at 80 Kilograms of Nitrogen per Hectare
Adjusting the EU Nitrate Directive is also on the Commission’s agenda, with new rules for spreading agricultural digestate due before the next fertilization period begins in spring 2027. Under the plan, a ceiling of up to 80 kg of nitrogen per hectare and year would apply, similar to the rules for Renure fertilizer, on top of the existing limit of 170 kg N/ha from livestock manure. Farmers can submit comments on the EU website until Nov. 13.
The Water Framework Directive is also scheduled for the second quarter of 2027; Brussels had already presented an EU water strategy in June 2025. A European heat protection plan is likewise announced for the second quarter, though the work program does not indicate how far agriculture and the protection of crops and livestock will be covered.
Governments Add Extra EU Rules and Face Review
What exactly is gold-plating?
Gold-plating refers to national governments adding extra requirements on top of EU directives. The Commission’s new “review and removal mechanism,” announced Nov. 4, is designed to help member states identify and remove such additional national rules.
When do German pig farmers have to meet the new housing rules?
Sow farmers must meet the housing requirements for mating centers by February 2029 and for farrowing crates by February 2036. The German Farmers’ Association wants Germany to be able to shift these higher national deadlines by citing the EU regulation.
Which animals could see their EU protection status lowered?
According to EPP politicians Norbert Lins and Peter Liese, the Commission is expected to propose lowering the protection status of beavers, carrion crows, cormorants and certain goose species when it reviews the Birds Directive and Habitats Directive in fall 2027.
The Birds Directive has been in force since 1979 and the Habitats Directive since 1992, the two dates that frame the coming review.
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