Agrifood

European beet producers’ growing concerns over sugar prices

The end of sugar quotas coincides with the collapse of prices on the world market. This is currently more of a problem  for sugar refiners than sugar beet growers, who are still protected by contracts. EURACTIV.fr reports

Bullmann: Macron must decide if he is a ‘real progressive’ or not

French President Emmanuel Macron has to make his political identity clear and clarify whether he is a “real progressive” who wants to contribute to a social Europe, S&D President Udo Bullmann told EURACTIV in an interview.

Soil is the underrated issue of food waste challenge, says World Biogas Association boss

Food waste processed via anaerobic digestion can significantly improve nutrient recovery in the soil, and the process may have significant use in sustainable agriculture and in fighting climate change, David Newmann, president of the World Biogas Association, told EURACTIV.com in an interview

EU farming community divided over new plant breeding techniques

The EU should embrace the new plant breeding techniques as the best chance to supply enough food for the EU's population, according to mainstream EU farmers. But organic farmers oppose this and a lot may depend on a European court ruling due before the summer.

Reducing emissions in agriculture: What solutions for a more sustainable farming sector?

Agriculture is one of the sectors most affected by climate change. However, it also contributes to the release of gases like ammonia and greenhouse gases (GHGs), affecting the quality of air and biodiversity.

France gives green light to palm oil despite European Parliament’s ban

While the European Parliament has decided to ban palm oil imports by 2021, France recently gave the go-ahead for a biorefinery owned by Total, a move that prompted many critics. EURACTIV.fr reports.

UN official: Time to rebuild Syria’s ‘resilient’ agriculture sector

Syria's farming has been remarkably resilient after more than six years of civil war, but it is now time to help rebuild the country’s agricultural sector, a senior UN official has told EURACTIV.

Livestock farmers cry wolf, call on EU to act

Livestock farmers and MEPs met in Brussels this week to demand a change in the EU's policy on the protection of wolves. Farmers are angered by the European Commission’s position, which they say favours wolves over livestock. EURACTIV.fr reports

EU court upholds curbs on bee-killing pesticide

A top European Union court upheld on Thursday (17 May) the ban on three insecticides blamed for killing off bee populations, dismissing cases brought by chemicals giants Bayer and Syngenta.

Glyphosate has adverse health effects from doses considered safe, study shows

Glyphosate, the chemical found in the world’s most widely used weed-killer, can have disruptive effects on sexual development, genes and beneficial gut bacteria at doses considered safe, according to a study presented at the European Parliament on Wednesday (16 May).

The EU needs to speak up to avoid ‘backdoor’ GMOs on our plates

When is a genetically modified organism (GMO) not a GMO? This is the question that the ECJ will soon rule on after a complaint from a coalition of French agriculture groups reached the EU’s highest court, writes Mute Schimpf.

EU seeds industry: No sense to label products from new breeding techniques

Labelling products that result from the so-called new plant breeding techniques would provide little new information and would therefore make no sense for consumers, Garlich von Essen, secretary-general of the European Seeds Association (ESA), told EURACTIV.com.

MEP De Castro: New plant breeding techniques will ensure food quality and quantity

The new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) are a major opportunity to move toward sustainable agriculture and simultaneously ensure food quality for EU consumers, MEP Paolo De Castro told EURACTIV.com.

Reducing meat consumption to reduce CO2 emissions: a sustainable challenge

Eating habits are responsible for carbon dioxide emissions and many countries could improve their carbon footprint by changing them. European countries are not all equal in terms of CO2 emissions, but an effort could be made.

New plant breeding techniques concern law interpretation, Commission says

The future of new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) at the EU level lies in the European Court of Justice’s interpretation of existing law, Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com, adding that the executive will act accordingly at the political level.

Do new plant breeding techniques have a future in Europe?

The European Court of Justice is expected to decide soon about the future of the so-called new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) in Europe. The term describes a number of scientific methods for the genetic engineering of plants to enhance traits...

NGOs tell Commission to listen to science and differentiate biofuels

A coalition of Czech and Slovak NGOs has called on the European Commission to draw a line in the Renewable Energy Directive revision (RED II) between more sustainable ethanol and the high greenhouse gas emitting tropical oils.

Paris seeks alliance to protect EU’s farming budget

The French agriculture minister wants to set up an alliance with other agricultural countries to avoid a 5% cut in Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding envisaged in the EU's 2021-2027 budget proposal. EURACTIV.fr reports.

Ecolabels have lost all credibility, report claims

Lack of transparency, oversights, confusion… A report by the Dutch Foundation Changing Markets, published on 3 May, reveals the inefficiency of environmental labels, particularly for seafood, textiles and palm oil. EURACTIV's partner Le Journal de l'environnement reports.

Commission throws the ball to EU states on CAP rural development, prioritises direct payments

The European Commission has proposed to cut the budget of the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy by approximately 5%, but has prioritised the direct payments pillar in order to ensure farmers’ income and leave smallholders unaffected.

Cuts in the CAP: ‘unacceptable’ for France

The EU’s budget proposal for 2020-2027 is mostly in line with France’s ambition for Europe: it maintains means and increases its priorities. However, the proposed slight cut in the CAP did not go down well. EURACTIV.fr reports.

EU unable to contain explosion in unsustainable biodiesel imports

Imports of Argentine soy biodiesel, which are among the most unsustainable of biofuels, have exploded in recent months because the EU lost a trade case at the WTO, writes Kristina Wittkopp.

Market-making for Burundi’s farmers

One of the main causes of food insecurity for farmers in rural areas is limited access to agricultural inputs. Donors, NGOs and governments are using a variety of new tools to improve access to basic products.