Agrifood
14 EU countries call for ‘unified approach’ to gene editing in plants
The Netherlands and Estonia are leading a coalition of 14 EU member states calling on the next European Commission to update EU GMO laws with regard to so-called new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs).
Decentralisation of European funds in France, a typically French disaster
Late payments and a dreadful IT management tool: The decentralisation of EU funds has led to serious malfunctions in France, according to a report by the French Court of Auditors published just days before the European elections. EURACTIV France reports.
Bas Eickhout: EU carbon market needs alignment with 2050 goal
The next European Commission will have to reopen the Emissions Trading Scheme directive if it is serious about reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, argues Bas Eickhout, warning the next Commission chief will need to find a broader majority in the European Parliament than his predecessor.
Mass killing of male chickens expected to prompt groundbreaking decision in Germany
This week, the German Federal Administrative Court will decide whether to continue allowing the mass killing of millions of newborn male chickens. If judges ban this practice, eggs could become scarce, according to the Poultry industry. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EFSA boss: Next time we should also assess consequences without glyphosate
The next re-authorisation process for the controversial glyphosate weedkiller should also include an assessment of a potential ban of the substance in terms of food availability, biodiversity and farmers’ income, Bernhard Url told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
The EU future of new plant breeding techniques
New plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) emerged as an innovative agricultural solution in the last decade, allowing the development of new plant varieties by modifying the DNA of the seeds and plant cells.
Commission repeals US anti-dumping duties on ethanol, irritates industry
Following an expiry review, the European Commission has decided to repeal the antidumping measures against imports of bioethanol from the USA. The decision has triggered reactions of the EU ethanol industry, which warns about severe economic and climate implications.
EU commissioner says agriculture not on agenda for US talks
The European Union intends to keep agriculture off the agenda in its trade talks with the United States and continues to support rules-based, open and predictable international commerce, the EU's agriculture commissioner said on Friday (10 May).
Malaysian minister: ‘Palm oil is a deal-braker for EU-ASEAN trade relations’
Teresa Kok, Malaysia's Minister of Primary Industries, visited Brussels and other European capitals this week in a last-ditch effort to kill new EU rules that will ban the use of palm oil in biofuels – a measure European adopted because of concerns about deforestation.
EU bets on digitalisation to fight illegal fishing
The European Commission launched a new IT tool on Tuesday (8 May) to track illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) from third countries, with a view to set up an entirely digitalised documentation of catches.
Farmers launch rallying cry for European elections
"Vote for our future". Copa-Cogeca, the European umbrella organisation of farmers and cooperatives, called on all farmers to vote in the upcoming European elections, spelling out its demands for Europe's future agricultural policy. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Human society under urgent threat from loss of Earth’s natural life
A landmark UN report published yesterday (6 May) reveals 1 million species are at risk of extinction, with agriculture and fishing the primary causes of the deterioration, which also threatens humankind. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
Nutrition expert: Food labelling needs harmonised and nutrient-rich profiling
Energy-dense foods are cheap while nutrient-rich foods cost more, and this imbalance is at the root of the global obesity pandemic, nutrition expert Adam Drewnowski told EURACTIV. He suggested that policymakers should adopt harmonised nutrient-rich profiling on food labelling in order...OpinionPromoted content
Obesity – the biggest threat to public health
Obesity rates have tripled, making it the biggest threat to public health. At Herbalife Nutrition, we’re committed to effecting change where it is needed most.
Childhood obesity is a plague on Southern Europe, new WHO report finds
Higher numbers of severe obesity and overweight cases were reported in Southern European, according to a new study from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Treatment and management options are still having a limited impact.
Northern French region banks on bioeconomy
In September 2018, the Hauts-de-France region (northern France) adopted a bioeconomy roadmap. The former sugar region wants to become a leader in the sector. EURACTIV France reports.
German farmers denounce poor management of nitrate pollution case
The energy transition is bringing major changes to the agricultural sector. EURACTIV Germany spoke to secretary-general of the German Farmers' Association (DBV) Krüsken about Germany’s approach to reducing nitrate levels, droughts, and expanding grids.
Commission calls for bioeconomy strategies to be expanded and implemented
Under the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the European Commission will not approve the national strategic plan of a member state that does not include the promotion of the bioeconomy in agriculture, the EU's farming Commissioner Phil Hogan said on Thursday (25 April).
Bioeconomy, a smarter way of using agricultural resources
Giving biological resources such as residues and waste a second life means also making money out of the closing of the production circle. Bioeconomy promotes a smarter way of using and also conceiving these resources.
French low-carbon label plants seeds of agricultural and forestry transition
A new label aims to encourage the emergence of projects that reduce and sequester greenhouse gas emissions. EURACTIV’s partner le Journal de l’Environnement reports.
EU curbs trans fats from 2021 to boost heart health
The EU adopted a regulation on Wednesday (24 April) to curb trans fat amounts in products like snack food as part of efforts to fight heart disease and strokes in Europe.
Food industry hails new EU rules on mutual recognition of goods
Food industry representatives welcomed the recently revised EU legislation on mutual recognition of goods as a major step forward in the completion of the EU single market. But they said more efforts were needed to improve standardisation, even the well-harmonised food sector.
Private sector is part of the solution in bioeconomy, experts say
The private sector has a key role to play in promoting bioeconomy in the agrifood sector, high-level experts have told EURACTIV.com. However, they said the risk of depriving the food production system of organic resources must be weighed up.