Following a paper in which a group of German Green MPs and one MEP unexpectedly backed the use of gene-editing technologies, EURACTIV spoke to MEP Martin Häusling, agriculture spokesman for the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament, who stressed that nothing has changed for the party, which has historically been vocally opposed to the technology.
Agriculture stakeholders are calling on the European Commission to update the sustainable use of pesticides directive (SUD) and allow the use of drones for aerial spraying of pesticides.
After over 78 environmental and agricultural organisations signing a letter this week calling for a moratorium on gene drive technology, EURACTIV took a closer look at the controversial technology to find out about what it is and the implications it holds.
Welcome to EURACTIV’s AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU. You can subscribe here if you haven’t done so yet. In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, food security has become the...
Several European countries have reported a resurgence of cases or large localised outbreaks of COVID-19, and there is still 'community transmission' in most EU/EEA countries, according to a report released on Thursday (2 June). The report called for continued vigilance despite noting decreasing trends in incidence across Europe overall.
EU-wide targets for the reduction of fertilisers, as outlined in the Farm to Fork strategy, must now be translated to country-specific targets, and for this farmers need access to the latest tools and technologies to allow them to reach these targets and get an accurate picture of the situation, stakeholders have said.
Another major COVID-19 outbreak in the largest meat processing facility in Europe has prompted stakeholders to urge the EU Commission to take swift measures to protect workers in the sector and stem the spread of the virus.
On the back of growing concern over the target for 25% of EU farmland to be farmed organically by 2030, EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski has lent the plan his support and stressed it is achievable. But farmers are still concerned that, as it stands, supply may well outstrip demand, which they say could "kill" the sector.
The United Kingdom announced a ‘bounce back’ plan of trade measures for the agriculture, food and drink industry on Tuesday (23 June), designed to allow businesses in the industry struggling in the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak to grow their trade activity overseas.
The European Parliament approved the setting up of an Inquiry Committee on live transport on Friday (19 June) with an overwhelming majority of 605 out of 689 MEPs in favour, after audits revealed major problems with the welfare of animals during transport
Welcome to EURACTIV’s AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU. You can subscribe here if you haven’t done so yet. German Green faction pushes for gene editing, overhaul of regulation In an unprecedented...
In an environmental audit meeting on Thursday (18 June), UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice offered his support for gene editing after Brexit, saying that the UK government disagrees with the EU stance on...
Investment in digital infrastructure and better coordination between data scientists and healthcare professionals can play a key role in the prevention of a second wave of coronavirus and future pandemics, healthcare professionals have told EURACTIV.
The European food safety authority (EFSA) has published its latest scientific opinion on the welfare of pigs at slaughter, which found that the majority of hazards identified were due in large part to staff failings.
In an unprecedented move, a group of German Green MPs, including one Green EU lawmaker, have backed the use of gene editing technologies in a new paper, diverging from the party's general position and saying genetic engineering could play a key role in improving sustainability.
Lawmakers on the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee (AGRI) reacted angrily as their colleagues on the Environment Committee (ENVI) decided to halt cooperation on the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) file.
Any potential reduction of glyphosate in the EU should be preceded by an impact assessment exploring the consequence for farmers, EU lawmakers said during a recent debate organised by EURACTIV.
Insect populations are plummeting across the world because of industrial farming and heavy pesticide use, and this decline is a threat to food production, warned a new report released on Tuesday (9 June).
More than 65 organisations and individuals across producer, veterinary, research, and academic sectors have co-signed a letter calling for more support in the global meat sector in the wake of the coronavirus crisis and urging authorities to refute claims that the crisis stemmed from the livestock sector.
The failure to conclude a trade agreement between the EU and the UK would have serious consequences for the agrifood sector for both parties, according to a joint statement released by major EU agrifood stakeholders on Thursday (4 June).
EU consumers are influenced by environmental concerns and willing to change their eating habits accordingly but lack of information, high prices and limited availability of sustainable foods still stand in the way, according to a new survey from the European Consumer Organisation, BEUC.
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