Food labelling
Brussels delays French proposal to label honey jars with countries of origin
France has been requested to review its proposed measure to label jars of honey marketed in France with the countries from which the different kinds of honey originate. However, this could slow down the implementation of this labelling measure, eagerly awaited by beekeepers. EURACTIV France reports.
Greens, socialists back nutritional label despite environmental concerns
Lawmakers from the Greens and the socialist group in the European Parliament push on Nutriscore to provide citizens with the EU-wide nutritional label system that is currently lacking. But potential discrepancies between the system and environmental policy are still open.
Bordeaux winegrowers want to leave chemicals behind to save the environment
Fewer chemical inputs tend to make the vine more robust and also ensure the terroir is better expressed in the wine's aroma, according to experts. France's vineyard sector is also interested in new grape varieties that are resistant to heat and disease. EURACTIV France reports.
New generation of Champagne winegrowers pushing for ‘greener’ practices
Since the 16th century, the Gosset family has been passing on vineyards from generation to generation in the Champagne region. Today, the incoming generation is starting to implement more environmentally friendly practices. EURACTIV France reports.
Riesling will have a very different taste in the future
The year 2018 was an excellent vintage for German wine, despite the drought. However, with the climate getting warmer, Riesling, Germany's most famous wine, could start tasting differently. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Organic wine gradually leaving its mark in the French wine industry
While the French people are consuming less wine, they are drinking more organic wine. However, the expense of going 'bio' proves to be an important risk for winegrowers. EURACTIV France reports.
Pesticide challenge leaving French viticulture with little choice
Wine is France's national pride but it represents a significant challenge for the country. Viticulture needs plenty of pesticides, mainly because of fungicides, but the sector continues to face many difficulties in changing its practices. EURACTIV France reports.
European winemakers grapple with environmental questions
Proud of their wines, Europeans are also concerned about the industry's widespread use of pesticides, while winemakers themselves will have to adapt to rising temperatures. From Bordeaux to Riesling and Champagne, EURACTIV takes a look at changing wine-making practices.
German cabinet agrees on plan to ban glyphosate, increase insect protection
The German government wants to protect insects better and completely ban the controversial weedkiller glyphosate by 2023. It also intends to introduce an animal welfare label, and unlock additional funds for CAP measures that are environmentally friendly. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Andriukaitis vs Salvini: Back-and-forth on ‘nationalist’ food policy
EU health boss Vytenis Andriukaitis criticised last week (7 June) the "political use" of food safety concerns and country of origin labelling, spurred by nationalist leaders like Italy's Matteo Salvini, who replied he was only defending Italian farmers and fishermen.
EU should celebrate but not remain complacent about food safety
As Europe celebrates World Food Safety Day for the first time, Bernhard Url welcomes the fact that every year, on June 7, the world’s attention will be drawn to the crucial role that food safety plays in our daily lives and to its importance in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
EU curbs trans fats from 2021 to boost heart health
The EU adopted a regulation on Wednesday (24 April) to curb trans fat amounts in products like snack food as part of efforts to fight heart disease and strokes in Europe.
Greek farmers fume against mayor who banned short food supply chains
The mayor of Kozani, a city in northern Greece, decided to ban the “movement without intermediaries”, which had created a direct link between local farmers and consumers.
Spanish producers go digital to shorten food supply chains
Spanish producers are increasingly taking advantage of the booming Internet and digital commerce in order to shorten the supply chain and therefore improve their profitability.
Campaigner: Short food supply chain is more than selling local products
Short food supply chains have a multidimensional role to play. They can help revitalise European farms by encouraging young people to work the land, but they also provide cheap and healthy food to consumers and attract tourists, campaigner Geneviève Savigny told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Short food supply chains in Europe’s south
The concept of short food supply chains (SFSC), where intermediaries between farmers and consumers are removed, was introduced in the 2014-2020 CAP and has risen in recent years. According to a study carried out by the European Parliamentary Research Service...
Green MEPs: New CAP is not ambitious on short food supply chains
The development of short food supply chains, where intermediaries between farmers and consumers are removed, provides consumers with healthier food and especially in the case of Europe’s south, major opportunities to enhance agrotourism, Green MEPs told EURACTIV.com.
EU’s new draft food law weak on traceability, activists warn
Insecticides in eggs, salmonella in baby milk – how can major food scandals continue to occur, despite strict EU rules? The EU is currently revising its food law but for consumer protection campaigners, the proposals do not go far enough to ensure full traceability. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Commission tells China to deliver on promise to open up its market
EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com that China should deliver on its promise to open up its market, as European companies complain about the difficulties they face in the country.
EU data-based food information tool crosses the border
French EU Datathon winner Open Food Facts plans to expand to other member states in a bid to overcome the language barrier and improve food information within the European union, vice-president Pierre Slamich told EURACTIV.com.
Survey on organic food: What’s behind the hype?
Survey: The demand for organic products is rising in Germany. Is this all just marketing is there more behind this increase in turnover. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Industry questions WHO’s conviction about health impact of sugar taxes
The industry believes that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has no evidence to back its claim that sugar taxes are an effective way to improve public health. Instead, the industry says, taxes only lead consumers to cheaper brands with similar or even higher calorie content, which may undermine any positive health outcome.
Amended Commission food proposal ‘completely inadequate’, says foodwatch
The European Commission continues to serve the interests of big companies rather than consumers, and this will lead to new food scandals soon, the European consumer organisation foodwatch said on Tuesday (10 July).