CAP reform
Money for agriculture must go to those who cultivate the land, MEPs insist
The ample funding provided by the EU's Common Agricultural Policy should be used by real farmers and not those who lease land for profit, said members of the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. EURACTIV's media partner Dnevnik reports.
EU agriculture ministers to decide on EFSA’s budget, sources say
The exact amount of money that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will receive under the new food transparency rules will be decided at the level of agriculture ministers, sources close to the issue told EURACTIV.com.
Europe needs more time to re-approve copper pesticide
Negotiations on the re-approval of copper compounds, which are due to be gradually phased out, are still ongoing. The European Commission is expected to present a new proposal to EU member states next month, at a meeting that was not originally scheduled.
We need transition farming in the EU
European tastes are changing and so must farms, therefore we need to support a transition away from industrial animal farming, writes Alexandra Clark.
Greek plan to digitise agriculture wins EU approval
In an effort to break from its austerity-driven past and improve the economy’s competitiveness, the Greek government will soon present its national strategy for the digitisation of the agricultural sector.
Scientists warn EU policymakers on ‘confusing’ gene editing court ruling
An interpretation of a recent European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on gene editing is confusing EU member states, while the scientific community are warning policymakers about the implications on the future of EU farming.
EU Parliament resists retailers’ pressure, starts talks on unfair trade practices
Brushing aside pressure from EU retailers, the European Parliament gave Paolo De Castro, a socialist MEP and rapporteur for unfair trade practices, the mandate on Thursday (25 October) to immediately start trilogue negotiations on the issue with the EU Council and Commission.
A watertight CAP
The European Commission needs to deliver an agricultural policy that does not reward agricultural pollution, write Claudia Castell-Exner and Arjen Frentz from Europe's drinking water and wastewater service operators (EurEau).
CAP and the food supply chain: A fair deal for farmers and consumers
The Common Agricultural Policy is key in ensuring that farmers receive a steady, fair income, but imbalances in the food supply chain risk undermining farmers as well as consumers.
Unfair trade practices bill faces last chance next week, warns De Castro
Next week’s European Parliament vote on the proposed unfair trade practices (UTPs) directive is crucial as there will be no time to pass the bill in this legislature in the event of a non-approval, the MEP piloting the file has warned.
Worldwide study: Women say gender discrimination persists in agriculture
Discrimination against women in the farming sector is still widespread, though less than a decade ago, according to a global study carried out by Corteva AgriscienceTM which concluded that empowering women could help revive rural areas and meet the rising food demand.
One French farmer commits suicide every two days, survey says
One French farmer commits suicide every two days, according to a survey conducted by the French national public health agency. The EU farmers' union said this alarming situation should be addressed immediately, emphasising that the farming community deserves better recognition.
How do greening measures help protect the European agricultural ecosystem?
Should farmers get financial incentives for adopting greening measures, then we will head to agricultural practices beneficial to the European agriculture, the environment and society.
Agricultural innovations in Romania
EURACTIV Romania visited two locations to learn more about the computerised management in farming, from beekeeping to grain transport.
Agriculture expert: Like organic, transition to digital farming needs support
Changing farming practices is always risky and if we want EU farmers to enter the digital era, we need to support them financially for a certain transition period, as has been the case with switching to organic farming, agriculture expert Luc Vernet told EURACTIV.
Agriculture digitisation not only for controls, stakeholders ‘remind’ the EU Commission
The much-awaited digitisation of the EU farming sector has taken centre stage in the last few years. But its ultimate application in the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is still unclear.
Bayer boss: Digital farming-sustainable production link ‘not yet clear’ to policymakers
The connection between digital farming and sustainable production is not yet clear in the minds of many policymakers, Bayer’s Bruno Tremblay told EURACTIV.com in an interview, adding that some farmers look at this kind of innovation as a way to control them.
Hogan: EU member states will decide on agriculture innovation after 2020, not Brussels
Member states and not the European Commission will direct the precise support and funding for innovation and digitisation of farming in the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan told EURACTIV Romania in an interview.
Where are the e-tools to modernise the CAP?
The European Commission presented last June its proposals about the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In light of the rising global competition, analysts stress the need for a quicker adoption of new technologies in the sector, warning that otherwise the EU will be left behind.
Over-regulating gene editing slows down innovation, Bayer says
An extensive regulatory process on gene editing adds more bureaucracy, increasing costs and slowing down innovation, Liam Condon, President of Bayer’s crop science division told EURACTIV.com.
Agroecology can feed Europe pesticide-free in 2050, new study finds
European agriculture can phase out pesticides, reduce its impacts on climate and biodiversity while ensuring food security for Europeans, French researchers Pierre-Marie Aubert and Xavier Poux told a conference held in Paris on 13 September.
Internet of farms to reduce red tape and enable more transparency
Precision farming is consistent with the less-bureaucracy pillar of next CAP and favours a better connection between consumers and producers, stakeholders and lawmakers advocated at the showcase of EU satellite-based systems for agricultural purposes.
EU farmers ‘hostages’ of unstable politics and technology gap, report claims
The lack of access to modern technologies combined with the fragile political landscape has put agriculture production in the EU under enormous pressure, at a time when other major farm markets in the world are growing, a new report has found.