CAP reform
Copernicus chief defends role of satellites in CAP’s ‘control’ system
The EU will launch a new satellite this week as part of the ‘Copernicus’ initiative. The earth observation programme has proved to be useful in dealing with natural disasters and its importance will grow to manage EU funds including the Common Agricultural Policy after 2020, director Philippe Brunet said.
Hogan: Post-2020 CAP will ensure level playing field across EU
EU farmers should not fear a “re-nationalisation” scenario for the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy as the Commission is set to give member states more powers to implement their own CAP national plans, Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan told EURACTIV. But the...
World Bank agri boss: Investing in technology will help all farmers
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has strengthened Europe’s farming sector and reduced rural poverty, but the EU must now push for the adoption of technology and open source data to drive better outcomes for all farmers, Juergen Voegele told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Agriculture expert: A ‘third body’ is needed between science and EU politicians
In order to rebuild confidence in EU decision-making, there is a need to establish a “third independent body” between EU politicians and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as neither NGOs nor the industry can say whether a substance should be banned or not.
British farmers’ boss: I hope outside the EU, decisions will be science-based
The leader of Britain's farming union, Meurig Raymond, hopes that the agriculture-related decisions made in London after his country leaves the EU will be more science-based and less emotional than is currently the case in Europe.
UK shadow minister: Britain needs a real food policy after Brexit
After Brexit, the UK should develop a real food policy focused on consumer health and self-sufficiency, while ensuring public money gets to the farmers who need it, David Drew told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
FAO official: GMOs not needed but we should be open to biotechnologies
The requirements of food production can be met without GMOs but we should not eliminate the broader benefits that biotechnologies can provide, Daniel Gustafson told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
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...
Hogan: Data ownership should not weaken farmers’ position
Data ownership and access should be organised in such a way that farmers' competitiveness is improved, EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview.
Phil Hogan: ‘EU wants to help farmers negotiate good prices’
Phil Hogan, the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, attended the Paris International Agriculture Show on Thursday (2 March), to reassure French farmers that the EU executive is fighting their corner. Hogan spoke to EURACTIV’s partner Ouest-France reports.
Copa-Cogeca: New export markets did not increase EU farmers’ income
The EU found new niche markets to balance the losses of the Russian embargo but this has not translated into increased income for farmers, Pekka Pesonen told EURACTIV.com.
Agri-machinery expert: EU CAP should go digital to be ‘green and attractive’
The post-2020 EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should include targeted support measures for farmers to invest in precision farming technologies with proven environmental benefits, Ulrich Adam said in an interview with EURACTIV.com.
McGuinness: The balance between science and public opinion is ‘difficult’
Scientists should be more open about their findings, and lawmakers need to take the time to read and reflect on them. But today, with the rise of social media, it is difficult to strike the right balance between science and public opinion, MEP Mairead McGuinness told EURACTIV.com.
José Bové: ‘The purpose of agriculture is to feed our citizens’
The European executive will reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) by the end of 2017. José Bové and Éric Andrieu argue for an agricultural system that puts the environment, human health and small businesses first. EURACTIV’s partner Ouest France reports.
Éric Andrieu: ‘The CAP has been disastrous for jobs’
A European Parliament report calls on the EU to target subsidies at small and medium-sized businesses and promote short supply chains and organic food in order to boost employment in the agricultural sector. EURACTIV France reports.
COPA chief: ‘All farmers should be connected to the worldwide web’
Being connected to the internet has become "vital" for farmers' everyday work, says Martin Merrild. But this should not encourage regulators to introduce new control programmes that will make farmers’ life even more difficult, he told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
German farmers: ‘Aid is not going to help active farms’
The aid package coming the way of milk farmers will only be of help if funds are not tied to targets on reducing production, the Secretary-General of the German Farmers' Association told EURACTIV.de. However, he did downplay the impact Brexit will have on the sector.
MEP Huitema: EU should use CAP to reduce dependence on farm subsidies
The EU's Common Agricultural Policy should focus on investments to become more competitive in the global market and get less dependent on subsidies, MEP Jan Huitema told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Greek agriculture minister: EU must change stance on trade agreements
The European Union should change its negotiation tactics regarding trade agreements with third countries and better defend member states, Greek Minister of Agricultural Development Evangelos Apostolou told EURACTIV Greece in an exclusive interview.
Hogan: Trade deals have not harmed European agriculture
Opening up to new markets in Asia and Africa has helped the EU become a net exporter of agricultural products, Phil Hogan told EURACTIV.com, responding to criticism of trade deals.
De Geus: Better spending will preserve the EU social market model
Ahead of the launch of a study on the added value of EU spending, Bertelsmann Stiftung chairman and chief executive Aart De Geus points at the savings EU member states could achieve if they pooled and distributed resources more efficiently, for example in diplomatic and defence services.
Procurement chief: Time to bury the EU sugar quota
Food and beverage companies are lining up against a proposal to extend the EU's sugar quota to 2020, reversing an earlier agreement to phase it out by 2015. A vote in the European Parliament is scheduled later this month. The procurement chief for one of Europe’s biggest food companies tells EURACTIV that extending protections for sugar is bad for consumers, businesses and the environment.
Researcher: How to make food supplies secure and sustainable
Proper crop nutrition and sharing of knowledge and technology between developing and developed countries can help address the food needs of the planet’s growing population, says a top researcher for the Oslo-based fertiliser company Yara.