Agrifood
Bayer loses €16 bln market value as concerns mount over further damages claims
Bayer shares registered yet another sharp decrease on Thursday (16 August), dropping as much as 6.5% in Frankfurt to hover near the 76 euros level as investors fear the German chemicals and pharmaceuticals giant may face numerous litigations in the US after its controversial merger with Monsanto.
New pesticide may harm bees as much as those to be replaced
A new class of pesticides positioned to replace neonicotinoids may be just as harmful to crop-pollinating bees, researchers cautioned Wednesday (15 August).
Phasing out pesticides is the chance for Europe to heal its environment and economy
The recent re-authorisation of glyphosate controversy highlighted the many issues surrounding pesticides, their purpose and our dependency on them, as well as the harm they bring to our health and the environment, writes Natacha Cingotti.
Straw prices soar, piling pressure on northern Europe livestock farmers
Livestock and dairy farmers across northern Europe are paying soaring prices for straw used in food and bedding for cattle, as hot, dry weather across the region reduces crops.
Agri giant under pressure to drop appeal on neonicotinoids ban
A petition urging multinational Bayer to withdraw an appeal against a top EU court decision on banning neonicotinoids has gathered more than 150,000 signatures in just two days, increasing pressure on the German firm.
Czech farmers most affected by CAP budget cuts, warns agri-expert
Cuts to post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds will severely affect the Czech Republic, according to agriculture analyst Petr Havel who spoke to EURACTIV Czech Republic’s media partner, Aktualne.cz.
Extreme drought causes EU vegetables ‘most serious’ crisis in 40 years
Europe's prolonged extreme drought has caused the most severe problems to the EU vegetable sector in the last 40 years, according to the European Association of Fruit and Vegetable Processors (PROFEL).
MEPs ask Commission to reject industry’s alcohol labelling proposal
A group of MEPs has called on the European Commission to turn down an industry proposal on alcohol labelling, claiming that alcoholic beverages should no longer enjoy a preferential regime compared to other foodstuffs.
EURACTIV’s summer picks
It’s been a busy first half of the year, so as we take a well-earned short break this summer, catch up on some of the timeless stories that already made waves in 2018.
Nothing wrong with genome editing in agriculture
While some may see the recent decision of the Court of Justice of the EU that states that organisms obtained by mutagenesis are GMOs and are therefore subject to obligations laid down by the GMO directive as a win for consumers, the reality is just the opposite, writes Neal Gutterson.
Farming’s ageing and negativity problem
Agriculture still has to face up to the fact that farmers are ageing and young farmers are not interested. The cause rests in the limited access to land, migration from the countryside to urban areas and the negative media image imposed on agriculture. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.
Mars boss: EU-UK should prepare to extend Article 50 or transition period
London and Brussels should be “pragmatic” and prepare to either extend Article 50 or the transition period so that Brexit talks can progress "in the right way", Mars Wrigley Confectionery's regional president for Europe, Russia, CIS and Turkey told EURACTIV.com.Editor's picks
Industry shocked by EU Court decision to put gene editing technique under GM law
The European Court of Justice ruled on 25 July that organisms obtained by mutagenesis plant breeding technique are GMOs and should, in principle, fall under the GMO Directive, in a surprising move that went contrary to the Advocate-General's non-binding opinion.
EU judges tell KitKat to take a break
The European Court of Justice has decided that the iconic four-fingered design of Nestlé’s KitKat chocolate bar might not be entitled to protection under the EU’s intellectual property protection scheme and ordered a review of the trademark.
Sowing the seeds of the post-2020 CAP
In June 2018, the European Commission unveiled its much-awaited plans for the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In light of the Brexit and the emergence of new priorities such as security and immigration, the Commission proposed a 5% cut in...
Plant breeding techniques: Commission wants broader reflection on innovation in seeds sector
The European Court of Justice will decide on Wednesday (25 July) if the so-called new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) fall under the GM legislation, in a highly anticipated ruling that has divided the relevant stakeholders
European market ‘open to palm oil’, EU ambassador in Malaysia says
The EU is open to palm oil and there is no ban on the commodity, the head of the European Union Delegation to Malaysia, ambassador Maria Castillo Fernandez, said on 16 July in an apparent attempt to appease Asian producers.
Environmentalists clash with EFSA over neonicotinoids ban ‘exceptions’
Environmental NGOs have questioned the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) scientific capacity to grant EU member states emergency authorisations for neonicotinoids, whose usage was recently banned.
Five meat and dairy companies emit more emissions than major oil companies, study finds
Together, the five largest meat and dairy corporations (JBS, Tyson, Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America and Fonterra) are already responsible for more annual greenhouse gas emissions than ExxonMobil, Shell or BP, a new study released on Wednesday (18 July) warns.
Lavender farmer explains legal case against EU climate policy
Back in May, a lavender farmer and 10 other families decided to sue the European Union for failing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Now, the fragrant-flower farmer explains the rationale behind the landmark case. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Berlin joins opposition to EU Commission’s proposed cuts for CAP
The agriculture ministers of France and Germany rejected the European Commission proposal to decrease the budget for the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), claiming instead that it should remain at the current level.
Thailand confident to ban illegal fishing, forced labour by end of year, says ambassador
Thailand aims to become free from illegal fishing and forced labour by the end of this year, Virachai Plasai, the Thai ambassador and head negotiator on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, told EURACTIV.com.OpinionPromoted content
Advanced biofuels are key to decarbonising transportation
The recent agreements on the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) are setting the tone for creating a stable and predictable business environment that will trigger the development of and investment in advanced biofuel production within the EU, argues Markus Rarbach.