Food chain sustainability
Commission launches public consultation on food chain fairness
The European Commission launched on Wednesday (16 August) a public consultation on how to improve fairness in the EU’s food supply chain, in which small farmers are often at a disadvantage compared to powerful middlemen.
France lays out plan to restrict use of palm oil in biofuels
France will take steps to restrict the use of palm oil in producing biofuels in order to reduce deforestation in the countries of origin, French Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot said on Thursday (6 July).
Farming innovation is staple for Europe’s food security
As the United Nations celebrate World Milk Day, Ramiro Cabral highlights a seemingly impossible challenge: producing more food in a manner that uses less land, water, feed and energy, all the while ensuring animal welfare.
EU nations set to define new era of food waste policy
A trialogue between the European Council, Commission and Parliament commenced on Wednesday (31 May) to set out the policy frameworks for the next 14 years of European food waste action plans, and campaigners are urging the negotiators to "up their ambition". EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
Southerners back stricter EU waste rules, unlike Nordic countries
A new report published today (16 May) showed that the EU's southern members support stricter EU-wide waste management rules more than Nordic countries.
Romanian MEP points out ‘green contradiction’ of organic trade deal
A recent trade deal on organic products between the EU and Chile has sparked a discussion regarding the environmental footprint of organic products transportation.
Precision farming may drive down food prices, Commission claims
Precision farming practices in the EU could play a role in driving food prices down, European Commission sources told EURACTIV.com.
EU agricultural income since 2005
Challenges ranging from volatile markets, high input costs and the Russian ban on agricultural exports to sluggish Chinese demand, have put a great deal of pressure on the income of EU farmers
What consumers want: A supply chain for farmers and consumers
Over the past few years, price volatility has become a central concern for European farmers and consumers due to changes in demand, supply and the structural characteristics of the market.
No quick and easy fix to food price issue, EU official admits
There will be no easy solution to high food prices in Europe unless the supply chain is made transparent and farmers get organised to take a bigger slice of the market, a European Commission official has warned.
Spanish farmers say new CAP should provide dignity
Agri-food producers recognise the need to become competitive and sustainable. But they also need to deal with market volatility, price imbalances in the value chain, uncertainty generated by free trade agreements and Russia's ban on EU imports. EURACTIV’s partner EFEAgro reports.
Germany’s cheap food prices come at a cost, study finds
Germans love to do their food shopping at discount retailers. But the costs incurred in order to provide such cheap prices are enormous and society is paying through the nose for it. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Weak cooperatives and high input costs hike Greek food prices
In Greece, cooperatives play a limited role in the food supply chain. Combined with rising overhead costs, this has contributed to the erosion of local farmers' incomes, while emptying the wallets of consumers.
Short food chains seen as answer to farmers’ pay and product quality
Local markets, where farmers and producers sell directly to the consumer, have prospered across the EU in both rural and urban areas in recent years.
Parliament calls for mandatory EU-wide food waste targets by 2020
EU lawmakers today (11 April) urged the European Commission to set binding EU-wide food waste reduction targets by 2020, to be met by 2025 and 2030.
Slovak study fuels concerns about lower quality food in Eastern Europe
A new study carried out by the Slovak government has found significant quality differences in the same products sold in Slovakia and Austria.
Kofi Annan: ‘What is the point of economic growth if you cannot breathe?’
Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called yesterday (28 March) for investment in developing countries in order to “produce more food with fewer resources”, while making agriculture more sustainable.
EU says Brazil must ‘restore trust’ in meat exports
The European Union's health Commissioner said on Monday (27 March) that Brazil will have to "restore trust" in its meat exports after being hit by a scandal over expired meat being passed off as fresh.
Smart farming seeks role in post-2020 CAP
Precision farming could play a leading role in making EU agriculture more sustainable. But green NGOs claim that the concentration of food production in the hands of the agri-food industry will have catastrophic consequences.
Brazil’s rotten meat scandal strikes ahead of fresh EU trade talks
The European Union has insisted Brazilian representatives attend an emergency meeting today (20 March) to explain themselves regarding a scandal involving rotten meat and the country's two largest exporters. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Rabbit farming gets EU lawmakers hopping mad
The European Parliament on Tuesday (14 March) urged Brussels to help improve the lives of 340 million rabbits raised for food in Europe every year, mainly in cramped cages.
Belgium and France join war on plastics
Ten countries have pledged their allegiance to the United Nation’s war on ocean plastics.
Farmers target growth through direct sales and short supply chains
Farmers in France are seeking growth through direct sales, short supply chains and local agriculture, targeting a burgeoning market in local produce. Euractiv France reports.
Organic farmers call for sustainability-driven CAP payments
The EU Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM EU) yesterday (19 January) sent a letter to EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Phil Hogan, calling for a “fundamentally new approach” to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).