Aquaculture
EU, US agree to resume trade in mussels, clams and oysters
The European Union and the United States have agreed to resume trade in mussels, clams and oysters from the end of February after they were halted more than a decade ago, marking another step in improved transatlantic relations.
New German agri minister stresses forest protection at first EU meeting
During his first agriculture and fisheries council, new German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir presented himself as an advocate of climate protection and animal welfare as the ministers discussed measures against deforestation.
EU lawmakers call for tougher rules on live animal transport
Rules on the duration and conditions for animal transports need to become stricter, said MEPs on a Parliament special committee after having found numerous breaches of existing animal welfare rules.
Postponement of WTO ministerial a ‘significant blow’ to COVID vaccine, fishing deals
The postponement of the World Trade Organization's ministerial conference this week all but guarantees months of deadlock on fishing subsidies and a bid to spread COVID-19 vaccines more widely.
Furious Macron scraps UK migrant talks after ‘unacceptable’ letter
France on Friday (26 November) scrapped planned talks with the UK about migrant crossings after an "unacceptable" letter from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, pushing relations to new lows after 27 people died in the Channel.
New German coalition plans mandatory animal welfare label, restructuring of farm subsidies
Germany's next government will introduce compulsory livestock labelling and revise the distribution of EU agricultural subsidies, according to the coalition agreement the three parties agreed to on Wednesday (24 November). EURACTIV Germany reports.
Macron: On migration, the British ‘oscillate between partnership and provocation’
France must reinforce cooperation with Britain on the thorny question of migrant Channel crossings, French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday (18 November), accusing London of "oscillating between partnership and provocation".
Two million animals stand in firing line of EU’s new sustainable chemical ambitions
Requirements in the EU’s chemical strategy for sustainability would see an additional 2 million animals used for testing unless a concerted effort is made to invest in alternatives to animal testing, stakeholders have warned.
France postpones fishing row sanctions on Britain
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday (1 November) he was postponing planned trade sanctions on Britain so that negotiators from both sides could work on new proposals to defuse their dispute over post-Brexit fishing rights.
UK vows action if French ‘don’t back down’ in fishing row
Britain warned France on Monday (1 November) it will take action if Paris does not withdraw "unreasonable" threats to impose trade measures in an increasingly acrimonious row over post-Brexit fishing rights.
EU countries urge Commission to aid crisis-stricken pig meat sector
Twenty EU countries have called on the European Commission to step up action on the crisis-ridden pig meat sector, struggling with disease and the COVID-19 pandemic, with farmers' associations calling it an "existential threat to all farms".
Probiotics one of the ‘last remaining tools’ to fight antimicrobial resistance
As the EU moves to tighten restrictions on the use of antibiotics in the livestock sector, probiotics are rapidly becoming one of the last tools remaining in the toolbox for producers. But prohibitive prices continue to impede their uptake, according to an expert.
France vows action against UK, Jersey over fishing rights refusals
France warned on Wednesday (29 Septembre) of retaliation in Brussels against the United Kingdom and Jersey over their refusal of many post-Brexit fishing licences, as trawlermen threatened fresh protests and even a blockade on cross-Channel exports.
Ireland’s decision to export live pigs, sheepmeat to China sparks backlash
Ireland has struck a new deal which will pave the way for the export of sheepmeat and breeding pigs from Ireland to China, in a move which has caused consternation among agricultural stakeholders. The deal, which follows years of negotiations,...
Agrifood Brief: Fertile ground for a ruckus
Welcome to EURACTIV’s AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU. You can subscribe here if you haven’t done so yet. This week: EURACTIV’s agrifood team digs deeper into a controversial vote in the...
Parliament sides with Commission to approve controversial new antimicrobials rules
The European Parliament has given its green light to a controversial new antimicrobials regulation, dismissing a motion calling for tighter restrictions on antibiotics use in animals and allowing the Commission to move forward on its plans to tackle anti-microbial resistance.
German supermarket chain REWE to remove most foreign pork from shelves
German supermarket chain REWE aims for 95% of its pork to be homegrown to help the sector struggling from disease and high feed prices, prompting the European Commission to warn that over-reliance on domestic supply could in some cases infringe the bloc's competition rules.
French egg industry backs chick culling ban, calls for EU-wide extension
After French Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie announced a ban on the crushing of male chicks, questions arose as to how feasible such a move would be, particularly regarding the cost and adopted technique. EURACTIV France reports.
Crying fowl: Ministers call for EU-wide minimum standards for turkey farming
EU agriculture ministers have called for the creation of EU-wide minimum standards for turkey farming, which, despite being the third most slaughtered animal, still lack specific legal regulations for their husbandry.
EU implements first animal welfare-based condition in trade agreement
In an unprecedented move, the EU has included the first animal welfare-based condition in the Mercosur trade agreement, but stakeholders warned that this does not go far enough to save the controversial deal that is facing increasing opposition in Europe.
Germany, France call on EU countries to also ban culling of male chicks
France and Germany are now calling on other EU countries to follow their lead in banning the controversial practice of culling male chicks, which both countries pledged to end from January 2022. EURACTIV France and EURACTIV Germany report.
EU countries back cage-free farming initiative with some caveats
Representatives of member states have endorsed the European Commission's ambition to phase out cage rearing in the EU, but showed far less enthusiasm than the European Parliament and expressed concerns about the timeline of the initiative and the appropriate financial support for farmers.
Fisheries may hinder Europe’s offshore wind expansion
Europe’s offshore wind industry has reported high growth rates in 2020, but now that EU member states are putting the finishing touches on their maritime spatial plans, fisheries could put the brakes on the expansion. The offshore wind industry recorded...