Food chain sustainability
Agriculture has fundamental role to play in fighting climate change, says French socialist MEP
In an interview with EURACTIV's partner Le Journal de l'environnement, French socialist MEP Éric Andrieu (S&D) said that climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic make it necessary to put agriculture back at the heart of the debate and to change the agricultural model with targeted tools and resources.
COVID-19 could be ‘straw that breaks meat industry’s back’ says new report
Nearly three-quarters of the world’s largest meat, fish and dairy companies have been graded as a ‘high' pandemic risk and criticised for their inability to prevent the emergence of new zoonotic diseases in a new report released on Wednesday (3 June).
EU food stocks: Should gear up for a rise of food protectionism?
The EU is preparing to change its agricultural storage policy at a time when the COVID-19 health crisis has highlighted the weaknesses of its reserves. EURACTIV France reports.
Farm to Fork strategy softens stance on meat but backs alternative proteins
The EU's pivotal Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, presented on Wednesday (20 May), softened its stance on meat compared to the previous draft versions but offered staunch support for alternative proteins, which campaigners said was the first step in the right direction.
Food security again under EU spotlight in the wake of COVID-19 crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic has left its mark on the EU's new food policy, as the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), presented on Wednesday (20 May), demonstrated a renewed interest in food security to ensure the supply during crises of any nature.
Coronavirus outbreak exposing vulnerabilities in the EU meat sector
After multiple outbreaks of coronavirus brought meat-processing plants to a standstill across the US, a similar trend has started to be seen across the EU, with potentially damaging consequences for the sector.
Insect-based feedstuffs hold ‘enormous potential’ for EU sustainability goals
With the presentation of the long-awaited Farm to Fork strategy due in the coming days, EURACTIV took a look at the potential that insects hold for contributing to the goals of the strategy and creating a more self-reliant, sustainable food system in the EU.
New EU food policy to be presented in two weeks
After being delayed twice, the European Commission is ready to unveil on 20 May its much-awaited food policy, the Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F), according to its weekly 'indicative' agenda.
EU’s ‘farm to fork’ strategy establishes itself in France due to COVID-19 crisis
The European strategy, which was intended to favour short distribution routes, has been postponed to a later date. However, the current COVID-19 health crisis is speeding up the agricultural sector's shift towards food self-sufficiency. EURACTIV France reports.
Commission warns against shift towards protectionism in agri-food sector
Struggling to cope with the fallout of the COVID-19 outbreak, countries across the EU are increasingly considering protectionist measures, promoting national agri-food products and discouraging imported products.
Timmermans: Farm to fork strategy delayed by couple of weeks, not months
European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans assured MEPs that the new EU Food policy and biodiversity strategy might be delayed by several weeks but no longer, after the launch was pushed back until 29 April.
Geographical indications found to double value of agri-food products
Agri-food and drink products whose names are protected by the EU as geographical indications (GIs) offer a “clear economic benefit” for producers in terms of marketing and increased sales, according to a study published by the European Commission on Monday (20 April).
COVID-19: fixing our relationship with food and nature is more important than ever
Europe’s relationship to food and nature must not be put to one side because of the COVID-19 crisis, it should be front and centre in the recovery, argues Sini Eräjää.
Commission confirms new schedule for Farm to Fork strategy
The launch date of the much-awaited new EU food policy, the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), is currently under review and an updated programme is due to the published in the coming weeks, a Commission official told EURACTIV.com.
Eurocommerce boss: ‘no food shortages’ in EU provided everyone plays by the rules
Despite the agri-food chain have been under pressure in the past few weeks in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, there is no risk of food shortage provided that people behave appropriately, the head of the food retailers lobby told EURACTIV.
Farmers association and NGOs at odds over postponement of new EU food policy
Farmers association COPA-COGECA has backed the further postponement and debut of the Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, due to mounting pressures faced by farmers over the COVID-19 outbreak, but this stance has been heavily criticised.
French farmers and MPs call for the creation of European food stocks
French agricultural producers and MPs are urging the European Commission to set up food stocks to avoid falling prices and the destruction of certain food products. EURACTIV France reports.
EU recommends keeping borders open as agri-labour conundrum looms large
Following concerns regarding a shortage of labour in the agri-food sector, the Commission has issued new practical advice to ensure that seasonal workers can travel to work in critical occupations.
Farmers warn of far-reaching COVID-19 effects on EU agriculture
A new report from farmers’ association COPA-COGECA outlines the multi-faceted ways in which COVID-19 is leaving its mark on the agricultural sector, from flower growers to meat producers.
Open-air markets ban: Another blow to struggling small farmers
Local farmers' markets have become the latest coronavirus casualty after France took the decision to close open-air markets as a further measure curb the spread of coronavirus. However, the move has proved controversial given that it stands to disproportionately affect small producers.
COVID-19 measures could cause ‘devastating’ labour shortage in EU farming
Europe’s farming sector could face a dramatic shortfall in workers as a consequence of the border restrictions put in place to stem the spread of novel coronavirus, which could lead to “devastating” impacts, according to Pekka Pesonen, secretary-general or farmers association COPA-COGECA.
Coronavirus puts French agricultural production centre-stage
In France, the coronavirus crisis has put the agricultural sector back in the spotlight as concerns persist about the transport of food and seasonal shortages of farm labourers. EURACTIV France reports.
Balancing the agriculture supply chain, Spanish and community objectives.
The food value chain - primary, industry and distribution - lives in an unbalanced situation, in which farmers and ranchers are the most affected, with prices that are sometimes lower than production costs.