Limited progress on pesticides, EU meat tax and swine fever

Limited progress on pesticides, auditors warn

The European Commission has been unable to adequately measure and reduce either the effects or the risks from pesticides due to a lack of rigorous and suitable data, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors, released on Wednesday (5 January). Read more here.

SPAIN
Spain’s agri-food sector fears the negative impact of Brexit, in particular for sensitive and key export products like cheese, red wines, and olive oil, which are also under pressure by US trade tariff measures. EURACTIV’s partner EFE Agro reports.

GREECE
The Greek government is set to present legislative proposals for the “re-building” of the farming sector’s cooperatives, vice-minister for rural development Foteini Arampatzi has said.  Read more here. (Sarantis Michalopoulos | EURACTIV.com)

GERMANY
With the deadline for Germany to avoid EU fines for its excessive soil nitrate levels fast approaching, the Grand Coalition is at odds about how best to tighten fertilisation regulations. Read more here. (Sarah Lawton | EURACTIV.de)

FRANCE
Only 5% of farmers are under 35 years old, and Paris believes that a ceiling age for receiving aid under the Common Agricultural Policy would make room for young people. But Brussels does not see it that way. Cécile Barbière has the story. (EURACTIV.fr)

ITALY
According to the UN special envoy Hilal Elver, half of Italy’s agricultural workforce is made up of migrants, most of them undocumented. In a recent report about the situation in Italy, Elver criticised the “sophisticated Italian food system”, where those working in the agricultural sector “work excessively long hours, under difficult conditions and with a salary too low to cover their basic needs.” (Gerardo Fortuna | EURACTIV.com)

CROATIA
The Ministry of Agriculture is working on drafting a new act which will consider producers’ organisation and facilitate forming of associations of farmers and producers, said Marija Vuckovic Minister of agriculture on Tuesday. Read more here. (Karla Juničić | EURACTIV.hr)

UK
Legislation seeking to transform British farming after Brexit passed its second reading in the House of Commons. The Agriculture Bill, first introduced to Parliament on 16 January, has moved a significant step forward, and will now enter the committee stage. (Natasha Foote | EURACTIV.com)

POLAND
Polish start-up has developed a seed incubator, GrainER, which could speed up harvesting by up to 30 %. The seeds from the incubator are more resistant to drought, which can be important in global warming, and reduces pesticide use by half. (Łukasz Gadzała | EURACTIV.pl)

ROMANIA
The EU Commission barred Romania and Lithuania from granting emergency licenses for forbidden pesticide use after EFSA said the emergency use was not justified. See here for more information. (Bogdan Neagu | EURACTIV.ro)

• 12 – 15 February – BIOFACH, the world’s leading trade fair for organic food will meet at the organic exhibition in Nuremberg. See here for more information.