COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2022/2053

of 18 October 2022

on the request for registration of the European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘European citizens’ initiative for vegan meal’, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/788 of the European Parliament and of the Council

(notified under document C(2022) 7418)

(Only the English text is authentic)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2019/788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the European citizens’ initiative (1), and in particular Article 6(2) and (3) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) A request for registration of a European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘European citizens’ initiative for vegan meal’ was submitted to the Commission on 30 August 2022.

(2) The objective of the initiative as expressed by the organisers is to ‘explicitly make the vegan alternative always present in the private and public spaces selling food and drinks in Europe. The EU Citizens’ Initiative for VEGAN MEAL for those who are vegan and for those who respect the right to the vegan alternative and also to take action for climate change offering more easily plant-based food to the EU consumers in their daily life. Cruelty-free vegan diet does not imply the exploitation and killing of animals, responding to the emerging collective awareness of animal rights. Furthermore the vegan diet changes the territory in the choice of production and employment activities, structures and logistics with less pollution. The European Citizens’ Initiative for VEGAN MEAL asks for the introduction of the vegan alternative in the sale of food and beverages to the public in Europe by law with the hope the participation of European citizens leads to the approval of an EU law with great benefits for the planet, i.e. in mitigation of the climate crisis, extinction of wild species, deforestation, better of use of land, defence of marine life, food waste and malnutrition.’

(3) An annex, as well as an additional document, provide further details on the subject matter, objectives and background to the initiative, by setting out and specifying the reasons to support the initiative. The organisers claim that making available the vegan alternative in the sale of food and drinks to the public in private and public spaces allows to make easier the access to the vegan alternative, to help fight the climate crisis by increasing the consumption of plant-based food and to reduce the cost of food. ‘Facilitating the availability of vegan food in public and private sectors of food and beverage sales concern less pollution in CO

2

emissions, less environmental contamination, less water use and generate less suffering for animals’ according to organisers.

(4) As regards the objective of the initiative asking for the introduction of a legal obligation for operators in the retail market of food and beverages to offer vegan products, the Commission has the power to present a proposal for a legal act on the basis of Article 114 TFEU. In addition, inasmuch as the initiative may affect or require specific measures under the common agricultural policy, the Commission has the power to present proposals for legal acts on the basis of Article 43 TFEU.

(5) For those reasons, none of the parts of the initiative manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties.

(6) This conclusion is without prejudice to the assessment of whether the concrete substantive conditions required for the Commission to act, including compliance with the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity and compatibility with fundamental rights, would be met in this case.

(7) The group of organisers has provided appropriate evidence that it fulfils the requirements laid down in Article 5(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788 and has designated the contact persons in accordance with Article 5(3), first subparagraph, of that Regulation.

(8) The initiative is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious, nor is it manifestly contrary to the values of the Union as set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union and rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

(9) The initiative entitled ‘European citizens’ initiative for vegan meal’ should therefore be registered.

(10) The conclusion that the conditions for registration under Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788 are fulfilled does not imply that the Commission in any way confirms the factual correctness of the content of the initiative, which is the sole responsibility of the group of organisers of the initiative. The content of the initiative only expresses the views of the group of organisers, and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Commission,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘European citizens’ initiative for vegan meal’ shall be registered.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the group of organisers of the citizens’ initiative entitled ‘European citizens’ initiative for vegan meal’, represented by Ms Paola SGARBAZZINI and Ms Nora PAGLIONICO acting as contact persons.

Done at Strasbourg, 18 October 2022.

For the Commission

Věra JOUROVÁ

Vice-President

(1)  

OJ L 130, 17.5.2019, p. 55

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