Agrifood
French pigs and Greek honey gain new quality labels
The European Commission approved last week three applications for geographical indication labels for products from France and Greece, continuing its drive to ensure quality and origin of food produced in the EU.
Farmers warn against ‘devastating’ impact of Mercosur on EU beef
European farmers’ unions are urging the European Commission not to allow a surge in beef imports from South America’s Mercosur trading bloc, saying it would have a “devastating impact” on rural jobs and EU food standards.
Food industry calls for harmonised precautionary allergen labelling
Europe’s food and drink producers have called on the Commission to come up with EU-wide standards on precautionary allergen labelling, arguing it is a much-needed step towards completing the single market.
Commission open to ‘biodiversity clause’ to end glyphosate deadlock
The European Commission stands ready to insert a clause referring to biodiversity in the glyphosate renewal proposal if requested by member states, a Commission Spokesperson told EURACTIV.
Figueres calls for EU action plan on ‘imported deforestation’
Former UN climate Chief Christiana Figueres, one of the architects of the Paris Agreement, has called on the European Union to step up regulatory action against deforestation in the global south by tackling emissions of imported agricultural goods, like beef, soy and palm oil.
Greece backtracks on ‘ineffective’ excise tax on wine
The Greek government will soon table an amendment to abolish excise duty on wine as it has not brought the desired financial results, Greek Minister for Agricultural Development and Food Evangelos Apostolou said.
Greenpeace director: CAP’s two-pillar structure has failed, we need a new contract
The direct payments pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy has too often wiped out the environmental benefits provided by parts of the rural development pillar, therefore real reform is needed to move the EU away from industrial farming practices, Greenpeace’s Marco Contiero told EURACTIV.com in an interview. Marco Contiero is Greenpeace's food and agriculture director. He …
New study relaunches controversy about biofuels and food prices
A new study commissioned by environmental NGOs found that the production of first generation biofuels has driven up food prices in Europe, running counter to the European Commission’s own data which found the impact of ethanol “negligible”.
What the EU risks by opening up its market to Brazilian sugar cane ethanol
Free and fair trade that helps boost economic growth and create jobs is a concept most people support. But trade policy is about more than just open markets; it should also support – rather than work against – a government’s overall objectives, writes Emmanuel Desplechin.
GMOs: EU court says states can’t ban them unless risks are proven
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on Wednesday (13 September) that member states cannot adopt emergency measures banning genetically modified organisms (GMOs) without evidence of a serious risk to health or the environment. But the ruling was surpassed by recent EU legislation and changes nothing.
Parliament adds forest ‘sinks’ to EU’s 2030 carbon budget
MEPs approved new rules on Wednesday (13 September) accounting for the "negative emissions" from forestry as part of the EU’s 2030 climate change policy, a move welcomed by conservationists but which scientists warn risks creating incentives to burn cheap biomass.
Parliament rejects bid to lower EU guard on Fukushima food imports
The European Parliament on Wednesday (13 September) warned against easing health controls imposed on food products imported from the Fukushima region in Japan in the wake of the nuclear disaster of 2011.
State of the Union 2017 Live, as it happened
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker gave his annual State of the European Union address at the European Parliament on Wednesday 13 September. EURACTIV.com brings you coverage, analysis and background from the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
‘No second class consumers’: Juncker slams double food quality in the EU
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker criticised double standards of food quality in his address to Parliament on Wednesday morning (13 September), saying that there should be no “second class consumers” in the single market.
Third of Earth’s soil is acutely degraded due to agriculture
A third of the planet’s land is severely degraded and fertile soil is being lost at the rate of 24 billion tonnes a year, according to a new United Nations-backed study that calls for a shift away from destructively intensive agriculture. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
Palm oil for fighter jets: Under EU attack, producers seek alternatives
Facing a backlash in Europe over palm oil's environmental toll, the world's top producers are scrambling to find new markets and even striking unusual barter deals, such as exchanging Sukhoi fighter-bombers for the edible oil.
EU mulls incentives for space technologies in farm controls
The European Commission is considering new proposals to encourage the use of technologies to monitor farm parcels receiving subsidies from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), an EU official told EURACTIV.com.
Amsterdam wants to revive talks on new plant breeding techniques
The Netherlands believes the new plant breeding techniques should not come under the GMO legislation as they are as safe as traditional breeding. It also insists that a discussion on the issue should be launched soon, even before the EU Court rules on the issue.
Italy’s fresh challenge to the EU on food labelling
Italy is seeking to reintroduce a requirement to specify the production site on the labels of transformed food products, in fresh defiance of Brussels' food rules after unilaterally mandating country of origin on pasta and rice labels last August.
Brazil tells the EU ‘it won’t move’ on Mercosur talks without ethanol and beef
Brazil insists that it will not table a new offer as part of the ongoing EU-Mercosur talks until a proposal on beef and ethanol is on the table. EURACTIV Spain reports.
EU demands protection of geographical indications in Brexit Britain
The European Commission has called on the UK to guarantee the protection of food products labelled with the EU’s geographical indications after Brexit.
Environmentalists push for ‘fitness check’ and clear goals in the next CAP
Europe’s biggest alliance of environmental groups has called for a thorough fitness check of the EU’s flagship Common Agricultural Policy, questioning its structure, implementation and impact, and proposing a far-reaching overhaul to ensure it is up to the challenges of the 21st century.
Can the next CAP measure its green performance?
The discussion about the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy has kicked off as well as the talks about the policy’s long-term green obligations.
Europe braces for CETA, attacks its legality in top EU court
Two weeks before the EU-Canada trade agreement enters into force, France evaluates its environmental and health impacts and Belgium challenges the agreement in the European Court of Justice. EURACTIV France reports.