Agrifood

MEPs ‘far away’ from an agreement on merging forest and agriculture sectors under LULUCF

EU lawmakers working on revising the land use, land-use change and forestry regulation (LULUCF) are split over the European Commission’s idea to merge the sector with the agricultural industry in the 2030s.

Farm to Fork Strategy – What are the policy instruments needed to reach the targets?

Rewatch this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out what we still do not know about the impact of the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy on farmers, consumers, and the environment. And what policy instruments will be needed to reach the targets?

Germany favours ‘pragmatic’ approach to animal welfare labelling

Germany's agriculture ministry wants to approach the implementation of a national animal husbandry label "step by step", while also pushing an origin label at the EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Time to turn the tide on inaction and bring life back to the ocean

2022 is an important year as the EU is set to introduce a new nature restoration law. This is a threshold moment for meaningful climate and biodiversity action, writes Odran Corcoran.

Reducing pesticide use requires ‘coordinated effort’, says French minister

Finding alternatives to plant protection products requires a "coordinated effort" from all member states, French Ecological Transition Minister Barbara Pompili, who presided over the talks with EU agriculture ministers in Amiens from 20-22 January, has said. EURACTIV France reports.

European Parliament calls for better animal protection during transport

The European Parliament has adopted recommendations for tougher and more effective animal protection rules during live transports. Some, however, bemoan lacking ambition and call for a hard limit on the duration of journeys.

Agrifood Brief: Mirror, mirror – or a wall?

How to make trade the fairest of them all? That was the big theme of the French EU presidency, under which agricultural minister Julien Denormandie made his debut as chair of the agriculture and fisheries (AGRIFISH) Council this week. The...

The mysterious cintura negra, Belarus embargo, animal transport vote

This week, EURACTIV's agrifood team talks about the first AGRIFISH Council under the French Presidency

UK positions itself as frontrunner in gene editing research

In the hopes of becoming a frontrunner in biotechnology following Brexit, the UK has announced new legislation cutting what it deems as “unnecessary” red tape to encourage gene-editing research.

German ministers to push for end of agri-subsidies in Brussels

Environment Minister Lemke and Agriculture Minister Özdemir displayed unity at a joint appearance on Tuesday (18 January). The two Green ministers want to advocate an end to direct agricultural payments and increased organic production.

Commission still hesitant to step in and relieve distressed pig farmers

It is not time yet for Brussels to intervene directly in one of the worse crises for European pig farmers, as the EU executive is still confident the sector will find a way out on its own.

Member states put pedal to the metal on Commission’s carbon farming plans

Member states are keen to step up talks on carbon sequestration in farming under the French EU presidency, given the Commission's legislative proposal expected by the end of the year.

France to push EU states to approve avian flu vaccine for poultry

Two vaccines will soon be tested in France in response to the worst avian influenza outbreak Europe has ever faced, French Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie has announced. The aim is for them to be approved for all 27 EU member states. EURACTIV France reports.

Commissioner: Belarus food import embargo ‘weapon’ as part of hybrid attack on EU

EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski has branded the food import embargo instated by Belarus a ‘weapon’ that is part of a hybrid attack against the EU and vowed to support the member states most impacted by the restrictions.

German agri minister to introduce mandatory animal welfare label

In his first government statement to the German federal parliament on Friday (January 14), Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir announced his intentions to introduce mandatory husbandry labeling this year. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU farmers huff and puff over return of the ‘big bad’ wolf

A thriving European wolf population has reignited tensions with the EU farming community, leading European lawmakers to call for a reconsideration of the wolves' high protection status in the EU to the chagrin of conservationists.

Agrifood Brief: Starting off with a (C)BAM

You ought to know this by now: agri-food policy embraces other policies too. Which means it shouldn't be a surprise that even the proposal of a levy for carbon-intensive imports has important repercussions on European farming.

Wolves, CAP plans, agri-trademarks

Welcome back! For our first podcast of 2022, EURACTIV’s agrifood news team brings you up to speed with where we’re at on the CAP national strategic plans

French CAP plan prioritises legumes, hedges and carbon farming

France's national strategic plan for the Common Agriculture Policy  (CAP), which was submitted to the European Commission at the end of 2021, prioritises legume production, the planting of hedges and carbon farming. EURACTIV France reports.

Agri Commissioner warns delays in CAP plans could cause ‘double standards’

EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski has reiterated the importance of member states submitting their national strategic plans simultaneously, warning that otherwise, this runs the risk of unfair assessment.

Towards the end of the road for the EU’s inhumane live animal transports?

Members of the European Parliament have a unique chance to drastically improve the lives of animals during transport. They need to take it, argue Tilly Metz and Anja Hazekamp.