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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Commission gives EU farmers ‘temporary relief’ amid extreme droughts
The European Commission decided to grant EU farmers more flexibility in implementing the green requirements in order to face alarming droughts across Europe, the executive said in an announcement.
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.
US questions CAP’s raison d’être with Spanish olives investigation
If the ongoing US government investigation into imported Spanish olives ends up imposing anti-dumping duties, it could potentially set a dangerous legal precedent and question the entire functioning of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), experts and farmers warn.
EP’s AGRI committee no longer alone on CAP reform negotiations
The leaders of the European Parliament’s political groups decided on 5 July to grant the Environment Committee “shared competence” with the Agriculture Committee in the environmental aspects of the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Polish project aims to stop food travelling more than you do
One EU-funded project in Poland all started with a girl allergic to food additives and ended up with an innovative start-up, which connects 150 farmers with 100,000 people who want to eat healthy food straight from the producers. EURACTIV Poland reports.
Wine industry wants its products’ labelling in the next CAP
The wine industry is pushing for the inclusion of its products’ labelling proposals in the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in order to give self-regulation a “legal basis and certainty”.