Agrifood news from around Europe
UK
The NFU has backed calls made by a cross-party group of MPs for the government to give British farmers access to gene-editing technology. The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) said the proposed Agriculture Bill amendment could pave the way for the UK to break free of EU rules. Natasha Foote has more. (EURACTIV.com)
POLAND
The Polish government has decided to cover the costs of conducting coronavirus tests for foreigners coming to work in agriculture. However, this decision caused some controversy in Poland as not all professions can count on the same treatment, such as teachers working in schools. Read more here. (Mateusz Kucharczyk| EURACTIV.pl)
ROMANIA
Romania is facing the most severe drought that it’s seen for over 50 years, Agriculture Minister Adrian Oros said Sunday (24 May). Despite being one of the agricultural powerhouses of the EU, Romania’s farming output is largely dependent on weather conditions as few of its crops are irrigated. Bogdan Neagu has more. (EURACTIV.ro)
SPAIN
The Council of Ministers have taken the decision to extend the measures to facilitate the recruitment of seasonal workers for three more months until 30th September, said Finance Minister and government spokesperson Maria Jesus Montero. These measures were approved in April to encourage the uptake agricultural jobs during the agricultural seasons. EURACTIV’s partner, EFE Agro, has more.
GERMANY
Leader of the liberal Free Democrat (FDP), Christian Lindner, came out in favour of higher meat prices in an interview with newspaper Die Zeit. “The price must reflect all costs. That’s why I would also include the climate impact of agriculture,” he said. He also condemned the conditions in slaughterhouses, which have been in the news in recent weeks after multiple coronavirus outbreaks across the country, calling for better health and safety regulations. (Sarah Lawton| EURACTIV.de)
CROATIA
The president of the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture, Mladen Jakopovic, said on Friday (22 May) that farmers will need financial support to adapt to the new EU strategy, the Farm to Fork. “If farmers are to make an additional contribution to this ambitious plan, they must have adequate financial support for the adjustment and transition period,” Jakopovic said. (Karla Junicic | EURACTIV.hr)
ITALY
A growing wildlife population, thought to perhaps be a consequence of human inactivity during the COVID-19 crisis, is now posing a threat to crops and livestock in Italy. For example, in the North of the country, wild boars are damaging maize crops looking for food, while roe deers are destroying vineyards in the South. Foxes are raiding in hen houses in Veneto region, while wolf packs threaten sheep. (Gerardo Fortuna | EURACTIV.com)
FRANCE
France has regularly found itself out of flour during the crisis, despite it being Europe’s leading wheat producer, as there is a lack of milling capacities. Issues such as these have started to fuel a growing trend of food protectionism in France, and countries across the EU are now seeking to build up grain reserves to ensure the continuity of national food supplies. (EURACTIV.fr)
IRELAND
Irish beef exports to China have been temporarily suspended due to the discovery of atypical BSE in a cow reports Agriland. In a statement on Wednesday (27 May), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed the case, adding that “Ireland’s BSE controls are effective and consistent with legal requirements and best international practice.” Commenting on the development, Meat Industry Ireland said they hoped this would only be a “temporary setback”. (Natasha Foote | EURACTIV.com) |