Food safety
European agri-food: How Spain and the EU ensure quality
The European Union has put in place strict rules that govern food quality. The prestige this has created around the world has made the bloc competitive at the highest level. EURACTIV’s partner EFEAgro reports.Promoted content
Safe Food for European Consumers
Safe food is a prerequisite for food security and paramount to the industry. The production, marketing and consumption of safe food are non-negotiable requirements that all partners along the food chain must adhere to, regardless of their place from farm to fork.Promoted content
EU set to allow cultivation of GM crop
Despite record opposition among EU member states, European ministers failed to agree on Tuesday to ban a genetically-modified maize to be grown on EU soil. With 19 votes against, 4 abstentions and only 5 in favour, the disagreement will now leave in the hands of the European Commission whether to allow or not the insect-resistant maize for cultivation.Promoted content
UN agency: Crisis-stricken South Sudan and Central African Republic have been ignored
Director of the Emergency and Rehabilitation Division at FAO Dominique Burgeon told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview that South Sudan and Central Republic of Congo require urgent “international donor support”. Recent episodes of violence and looting in both countries have had a huge impact on 'the food security sector', forcing hundreds of people to abandon their homes. “The need of food assistance is huge', Burgeon said.Promoted content
MEPs want tougher sanctions over food fraud after horse meat scandal
One year after the horse meat scandal broke across Europe, the European Parliament on Tuesday called for more inspections of food production chains and tougher penalties for companies that commit food fraud. The controversy began last year when DNA tests revealed that some products sold across Europe were labeled as beef but in fact contained up to 100% horsemeat.Promoted content
Sustainable Agriculture: A key ingredient to food security in Europe
Food security and food sustainability are key EU priorities in 2013. By the end of 2013, the European Commission is expected to follow up on its Resource Efficiency Roadmap with a Communication on Sustainable Food. How can this new policy framework best integrate a long- term approach to food and the environmental, social and economic pillars of sustainability? What options are at our disposal in Europe?Special ReportPromoted content
Outcry forces EU reversal on olive oil bottles
Battered by criticism and widespread ridicule, the European Commission on Thursday (23 May) reversed its decision to ban refillable bottles of olive oil from restaurants. Europe's leading farm groups, however, swiftly denounced the change as a defeat for consumers.Promoted content
EU to impose bigger fines for food fraud after horsemeat scandal
In the wake of the horse meat scandal, the European Commission unveiled plans on Monday to impose bigger fines on food producers who commit fraud. The proposal comes after horse DNA was found in up to 5% of EU products labelled as beef, after the Commission carried out food tests across the continent.Promoted content
Borg on Tobacco and Horsemeat
The Commissioner for health and consumer affairs tells EURACTIV that the horsemeat scandal should be seen for what it is: a fraud rather than a flaw in the regulation. He favours introducing tougher penalties for such incidents, but believes food labelling should be kept as a separate issue.Promoted content