Agrifood
Council ready to start negotiations on bridging CAP divide
Agriculture sherpas rubber-stamped a partial negotiating mandate to discuss with MEPs the transition period that will allow EU farming subsidies to flow even without an agreement on post-2020 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Coronavirus secrets of the Faroes
The Faroe Islands has managed to test nearly 10% of its population for coronavirus and no one has died from the disease so far. Its virus strategy was undoubtedly helped by its remote location but the main reason for the rapid response is a surprising one: the humble salmon.
Farmers association and NGOs at odds over postponement of new EU food policy
Farmers association COPA-COGECA has backed the further postponement and debut of the Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, due to mounting pressures faced by farmers over the COVID-19 outbreak, but this stance has been heavily criticised.
Dropping biofuel mandate would be a toxic blow for the industry
Last week a large group of EU-based biofuel producers and associations raised a red flag that some Member States are considering or are already dropping the mandates on renewable energy in transport in view of the COVID-19 crisis.
French farmers and MPs call for the creation of European food stocks
French agricultural producers and MPs are urging the European Commission to set up food stocks to avoid falling prices and the destruction of certain food products. EURACTIV France reports.
Spain finally sends 2030 climate plan to Brussels
The Spanish government has submitted its energy and climate plan for 2030 to the European Commission, three months after the deadline, while five EU countries, including France, still need to turn in their strategies.
Sinkevicius: Commission’s measures bring relief to troubled EU fisheries
The new support mechanism for the temporary storage of fishery and aquaculture products for human consumption will foster greater market stability and reduce the risk of having such products wasted or redirected to non-human food purposes, Fisheries Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius told EURACTIV.com VideoPromoted content
Probiotics needs in the European market
The majority of consumers already know what probiotics are and they are actively looking for it, but they can find only the products from outside Europe that are offered on e-commerce
Germany to relax coronavirus border controls for farm workers
Germany will allow foreign workers into the country to help harvest fruit and vegetable crops on farms, the government said on Thursday (2 April), relaxing previous travel restrictions imposed to combat the new coronavirus.
Innovation spurred by COVID-19 crisis highlights ‘potential of small-scale farmers’
the recent coronavirus outbreak has put an enormous strain on the EU whole agri-food sector and especially on small-scale producers. However, farmers have been rapidly innovating to create novel means of selling their produce to keep themselves afloat.
EU recommends keeping borders open as agri-labour conundrum looms large
Following concerns regarding a shortage of labour in the agri-food sector, the Commission has issued new practical advice to ensure that seasonal workers can travel to work in critical occupations.
NGOs criticise Commission over CAP impact on biodiversity
Environmental NGOs have accused the European Commission of "greenwashing" and cherry-picking positive messages from an EU-funded independent evaluation study about the impact of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on habitats, landscapes and biodiversity.
Italy looks to non-EU migrants to plug gap in agricultural workforce
Giorgio Gori, the mayor of Bergamo, one of the worst hit cities from coronavirus, has called on the Italian government to speed up the issuing of the yearly decree that regularises non-EU migrant workers, as Italy is in desperate need for agricultural workers before the harvest season begins.
EFSA chief: EU food safety rules ensure protection against COVID-19
Although coronavirus can survive on surfaces for a limited time, food safety regulations in EU member states ensure a high level of protection against contaminated food, said the chief of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Bernhard Url in an interview.
EU biofuel industry warns Commission about ‘derogations’ in fossil fuel blending
A number of member states in Central and Eastern Europe are considering “derogations” in fossil fuel blending as part of the extraordinary measures to tackle the economic implications of the coronavirus, the EU biofuels industry has warned.
The effects of COVID-19 on agriculture in the EU
In this special edition of the agrifood podcast, EURACTIV's agrifood team explores the impact of the recent coronavirus outbreak on EU agriculture and the bloc's main farming subsidies programme, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
EU Parliament wants plenary vote on new CAP after summer break
The coordinators of political groups on the European Parliament’s agriculture committee agreed on Monday (30 March) to hold a plenary vote on the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) “after the summer break”, according to a document seen by EURACTIV.
Agriculture and biodiversity: A make or break for European Green Deal
A recent impact report published by the European Commission lays bare the terrible mismatch between the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the bloc's biodiversity objectives, writes Jabier Ruiz.
EU lists ‘critical workers’ needing to cross borders
The EU on Monday (30 March) released a list of "critical workers" it says must be allowed continued freedom of movement across its internal borders, despite emergency coronavirus measures.
Don’t let COVID-19 become a hunger game
The health impacts of the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic on some of the poorest countries are still unknown and any ensuing food crisis as a result of poor policy-making will be a humanitarian disaster to avert, writes FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu.
German Bundesrat approves new fertiliser regulation after decade of stalemate
At the last minute, the German Bundesrat approved a new fertiliser regulation to avoid having to pay high penalties to the EU on Friday. But many farmers are afraid of going bankrupt, now that they will not be allowed to use as much fertiliser, starting in 2021. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Stakeholders call for ‘reality check’ on EU road transport and energy policy
Europe’s ambitious plans for road transport decarbonisation need a “reality check” in order to result in a pragmatic decrease of emissions and oil products, energy stakeholders told EURACTIV.com.
EPP calls for further postponement of Farm to Fork strategy
The European People's Party (EPP) group has called for another postponement of the planned Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F) until at least after the summer, citing the "crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic", but its position has been met with criticism from some stakeholders.