Agrifood
The way agricultural aid is distributed creates inequalities, French court of auditors say
The way agricultural aid is distributed in France is unequal and produces negative effects, the French court of auditors said in a summary judgement. The chamber is calling for changes to how aid is allocated under the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), though this is currently not on the agenda. EURACTIV France reports.
Europe’s food safety system ‘overstretched’, auditors say
The European Union’s food safety system is respected across the globe but it’s now “overstretched”, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) said in a report published on Tuesday (15 January), urging policymakers to bolster implementation capacity.
German MEP: Politicians should trust EFSA, set aside their personal views
EU politicians should show trust in the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and put their personal opinions on food safety assessments on hold, centre-right MEP Peter Jahr told EURACTIV Germany in an interview.
Ireland will seek EU aid to support livestock in case of hard Brexit
Ireland will seek hundreds of millions of euros in aid from Brussels if Britain crashes out of the EU without a deal, the agriculture minister was quoted Thursday (3 January) as saying.
Greek minister: CAP budget should be maintained to ensure agriculture sustainability
If a proper balance between resources and obligations in the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is not achieved, the future of the EU agriculture and countryside will be uncertain, said Greek agriculture minister Stavros Arachovitis.
The role of digitised information in water safety planning
Digital tools, which provide water utility operators with accurate and timely information, can improve drinking water quality and ensure better water safety planning, experts say. The quality of drinking water currently faces two main challenges: algae blooms and turbidity. Algae...
In Italy the world’s largest network of farmers’ market
Farmers' markets have spread across Italy in just a few years and they offer a great economic and social opportunity, precisely because they allow direct contact between producers and consumers, EURACTIV’s partner Sicilia Agricoltura reports.
Expert: Predictive water management saves costs and the environment
Predictive management and process optimisation in water utilities mean less usage of chemicals, which results in a positive environmental footprint as well as less operational costs for the industry, an expert told EURACTIV.com.OpinionPromoted content
Is eating at the wrong time a handicap for our biological clock?
Until now, research to address the rising incidence of overweight, obesity and metabolic diseases has focused on analysing the impact of diet composition by asking: what are we eating? However, less attention has been paid to another aspect of nutrition: when are we eating?
Greek farmers fume against mayor who banned short food supply chains
The mayor of Kozani, a city in northern Greece, decided to ban the “movement without intermediaries”, which had created a direct link between local farmers and consumers.
Commission official: Water management among Copernicus’ future priorities
The European Commission aims to make Copernicus, the EU’s earth observation programme, a “top tool” in fighting climate change in the future, which will simultaneously be more involved in policies related to water management, a high-ranking EU official said. “One...
CAP reform: Vienna hands the reins over to Bucharest
The debate on CAP reform has made good progress under the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Romania will play the leading role from the beginning of next year. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Spanish producers go digital to shorten food supply chains
Spanish producers are increasingly taking advantage of the booming Internet and digital commerce in order to shorten the supply chain and therefore improve their profitability.
Shocking cases of illegal fishing in EU highlight the need for stronger fisheries control
The European Parliament and the Council must take into consideration recent cases of illegal fishing activities in order to be better prepared for the negotiations over the EU Fisheries Control System’s revision starting next year, writes Elisabeth Druel. Elisabeth Druel...
Can space technologies improve drinking water quality?
The use of space technologies in different sectors of the EU economy has seen an increase lately. Advocates suggest that satellite data could help improve or even optimise production, from agricultural practices to drinking water processing.
EU project optimises drinking water quality using space technologies
The use of space technologies could play a crucial role in optimising potable water processing operations in order to achieve higher quality, according to the results of an EU-funded project.
Campaigner: Short food supply chain is more than selling local products
Short food supply chains have a multidimensional role to play. They can help revitalise European farms by encouraging young people to work the land, but they also provide cheap and healthy food to consumers and attract tourists, campaigner Geneviève Savigny told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Short food supply chains in Europe’s south
The concept of short food supply chains (SFSC), where intermediaries between farmers and consumers are removed, was introduced in the 2014-2020 CAP and has risen in recent years. According to a study carried out by the European Parliamentary Research Service...
Green MEPs: New CAP is not ambitious on short food supply chains
The development of short food supply chains, where intermediaries between farmers and consumers are removed, provides consumers with healthier food and especially in the case of Europe’s south, major opportunities to enhance agrotourism, Green MEPs told EURACTIV.com.
First European agreement on recycled fertilisers
The regulation on the use of organic and waste-based fertilisers was the subject of a tripartite agreement on 13 December. Its aim is to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers in Europe. EURACTIV France’s media partner the Journal de l’environnement reports.
MEPs and ministers make final bid for deal on unfair trade practices
Both the current Austrian and incoming Romanian presidencies asked rapporteur Paolo De Castro to return to the negotiating table 'in the spirit of Christmas' for an unexpected final round on unfair trade practice (UTPs) scheduled for today (19 December).
Catch 22: Why too many EU vessels still chase too few fish
The reformed Common Fisheries Policy contain the tools to deliver profitable fisheries, thriving fish stocks and lively coastal communities. To combat over-fishing, the EU and member states must act now, demands Jan Isakson.
Controversy over new plant breeding methods
New methods of genetic engineering promise precise interventions, without side effects. However, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) wants tight regulation. The judgement is being fiercely debated. EURACTIV Germany reports.