Agrifood
Science and public opinion: Where do politicians stand?
Policy makers, industry and civil society are trying to find a way to reconcile scientific evidence with public opinion’s beliefs when it comes to food safety. However, this has proved time and again to be a difficult challenge.
French minister: A glyphosate ban now would put some farmers out of business
France’s Agriculture Minister Didier Guillaume has come out in defence of the decision to postpone the ban of glyphosate until 2020, saying that a number of farmers would be unable to carry on if the governemnt had already enforced the ban.
New food transparency rules risk falling victim to EU institution spat
The future of the new proposed rules on food transparency is unclear, as the European Parliament and the Commission disagree on the timeframe to move the discussion forward.
CAP and the food supply chain: A fair deal for farmers and consumers
The Common Agricultural Policy is key in ensuring that farmers receive a steady, fair income, but imbalances in the food supply chain risk undermining farmers as well as consumers.
EU retailers pressure MEPs to kill unfair trade practices proposals
Retailers are putting pressure on EU lawmakers to postpone a much-awaited vote next week on the European Commission’s proposed directive on unfair trade practices, EURACTIV.com has learnt.
EU palm oil strategy risks investment in Africa
The European Union is quietly but determinedly preparing a new rule that is designed to block palm oil exports from Africa and Asia out of the EU market. The EU's actions on palm oil risk trade and investment in Africa, writes Thompson Ayodele.
EU bioeconomy strategy and IPCC – planets apart
The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that biofuels will need to rise 260% by 2030 and 750% by 2050 in order to contain global warming below 1.5°C. Yet, the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, published days after, seems to ignore this, writes James Cogan.
Unfair trade practices bill faces last chance next week, warns De Castro
Next week’s European Parliament vote on the proposed unfair trade practices (UTPs) directive is crucial as there will be no time to pass the bill in this legislature in the event of a non-approval, the MEP piloting the file has warned.
Governments lack policies to support food sector in low carbon transition – report
Unlike the energy sector, agriculture does not benefit from public policies geared towards a low carbon transition, which means farming is still a significant contributor to climate change due to meat over-consumption, a new report published on 16 October revealed.
Worldwide study: Women say gender discrimination persists in agriculture
Discrimination against women in the farming sector is still widespread, though less than a decade ago, according to a global study carried out by Corteva AgriscienceTM which concluded that empowering women could help revive rural areas and meet the rising food demand.
One French farmer commits suicide every two days, survey says
One French farmer commits suicide every two days, according to a survey conducted by the French national public health agency. The EU farmers' union said this alarming situation should be addressed immediately, emphasising that the farming community deserves better recognition.
White smoke for single EU candidate at FAO
The former head of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, will kick off her campaign to lead the UN food and agriculture agency today (16 October), after being endorsed as the sole EU candidate.
EU farm ministers raise Baltic fish quotas, angering environmentalists
European Union ministers agreed on Monday (15 October) to sharply boost catch quotas for western Baltic cod as part of new fishing regulations for next year that angered environmentalists.Editor's picks
Operation to combat land-grabbing in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
In order to discourage foreign investors from purchasing hectares of farmland, the “Safer” society and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region are encouraging MPs to notify them of this in advance. EURACTIV France’s media partner, the Journal de l’environnment reports.
When will Denmark stop overfishing and start enforcing the rules?
Denmark has become the worst perpetrator of Baltic overfishing over the last years, putting in serious danger entire species, such as the Baltic’s iconic cod, warns Rebecca Hubbard.
EU emphasises ‘ecological limitations’ of new bioeconomy plan
The European Commission unveiled a new bioeconomy strategy on Thursday (11 October), saying it could reduce the EU's dependence on fossil fuels while underlining the ecological limitations of Europe’s farming and forestry sector.
Pamela Anderson gets behind bars in Paris protest against farm animal abuse
Actress Pamela Anderson joined animal rights campaigners in Paris Wednesday (10 October), posing inside a cage to protest the caging of animals in European farming.
How green is Europe’s tank?
As the need for climate action gets more urgent, new labels give motorists a clearer picture of fuels’ and cars’ eco-friendliness, writes Emmanuel Desplechin.
Swiss cow feed causes fewer farts, boosts climate action
Cows burp and fart more than they need to, says a Swiss firm that has developed a feed that cuts methane emissions from livestock - helping to combat global warming into the bargain.
As cruel industrial pig farming persists in the EU, one million citizens demand change
Under the European Commission’s indulgent eye, the race to the bottom in the EU’s pig industry pushes profits to the edge at the cost of pig welfare, against law and public opinion. But a movement of citizens and NGOs is gaining momentum to demand change in the industry's methods.
EU data-based food information tool crosses the border
French EU Datathon winner Open Food Facts plans to expand to other member states in a bid to overcome the language barrier and improve food information within the European union, vice-president Pierre Slamich told EURACTIV.com.
Showdown over biogas on margins of car CO2 vote
Europe's gas industry wants renewable fuels completely accounted for in updated car CO2 rules. But the MEP charged with helming the legislation's revision hopes to shield her report from industry attacks ahead of a crucial vote on Wednesday (3 October).
Bridging African agriculture’s financing gap
The European Commission and African Union set up a joint rural Africa taskforce in May, after agricultural co-operation was one of the key topics as the EU-Africa summit in Abidjan in November 2017.
How do greening measures help protect the European agricultural ecosystem?
Should farmers get financial incentives for adopting greening measures, then we will head to agricultural practices beneficial to the European agriculture, the environment and society.