Innovation in agriculture
Europe’s GM legislation is ‘outdated’, US says after Court ruling on gene editing
US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has called a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice on new plant-breeding techniques (NPBTs) a ‘setback’ and said Washington is ready to help EU politicians make decisions based on scientific evidence.
Nothing wrong with genome editing in agriculture
While some may see the recent decision of the Court of Justice of the EU that states that organisms obtained by mutagenesis are GMOs and are therefore subject to obligations laid down by the GMO directive as a win for consumers, the reality is just the opposite, writes Neal Gutterson.
Industry shocked by EU Court decision to put gene editing technique under GM law
The European Court of Justice ruled on 25 July that organisms obtained by mutagenesis plant breeding technique are GMOs and should, in principle, fall under the GMO Directive, in a surprising move that went contrary to the Advocate-General's non-binding opinion.
Sowing the seeds of the post-2020 CAP
In June 2018, the European Commission unveiled its much-awaited plans for the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In light of the Brexit and the emergence of new priorities such as security and immigration, the Commission proposed a 5% cut in...
Plant breeding techniques: Commission wants broader reflection on innovation in seeds sector
The European Court of Justice will decide on Wednesday (25 July) if the so-called new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) fall under the GM legislation, in a highly anticipated ruling that has divided the relevant stakeholders
Agricultural industry eyes space data
Data access has become a key issue for the agricultural sector, which could benefit from European space programmes. EURACTIV.fr reports.
The digital farmers’ market
Farmers being in direct contact with the consumers and setting their prices independently, without having to submit to the wholesale market dictate - sounds like going back to the roots of agricultural markets. Behind this, however, is a model with a genuinely promising future. EURACTIV.de reports.
Plant breeding innovations can help to future proof our farming system
Reading the opinion of Greens / EFA members of the European Parliament on plant breeding, one can’t help but be amazed by their obsession with GMOs, writes Garlich von Essen.
Enhancing food transparency and local production with aquaponics
Implementing combined fish and vegetable farming system provides the food transparency and local production customers are asking for, say the supporters of aquaponic farming.
Science-based policy making: reality or fake news?
‘Evidence-based policy-making’ constitutes one of the key slogans of the Juncker Commission and the Better Regulation agenda. But reality reveals a wide gap between theory and practice, writes Daniel Guéguen.
Science, public opinion and policy-making
The re-authorisation of Monsanto’s weedkiller glyphosate and the ban of three neonicotinoids – a class of insecticide – have opened a heated debate on the role of science in policy-making.
‘New GMOs’ are not progress, but another tool of industrial farming
The EU Court of Justice will soon publish its ruling concerning the legal statute of a group of biotechnologies, which have been called “new plant breeding techniques” by the industry.
EU court decision on plant breeding techniques ‘normally’ before summer break
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) should "normally" decide on the future of the so-called new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) before the summer break in July. However, no date has yet been set, a source close to the issue told EURACTIV.com.
Corteva boss: ‘Mother Nature’ changes the game quickly and demands new agricultural tools
“Mother Nature” is changing quickly and this requires the adoption of technology-driven solutions that will help both growers and consumers, Jim Collins, the chief operating officer of Corteva Agriscience, the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, told EURACTIV.
G7 can tackle five priorities with one investment: agricultural research
This week the representatives of the world's most advanced economies grapple with complex challenges at the G7 summit. Smart investments need to be made to solve the five key issues addressed at the summit and the smartest investment is in agricultural research, writes Marcon Ferroni.
EU farmers: Prevention is better than cure for sustainable livestock
Prevention is far better than cure when it comes to animal diseases and creation of sustainable livestock. Vaccination may play a role in reducing the need for antibiotics, but it needs to be accompanied by other "tools", like education and training, farmer representatives and EU politicians have told EURACTIV.
EU farming community divided over new plant breeding techniques
The EU should embrace the new plant breeding techniques as the best chance to supply enough food for the EU's population, according to mainstream EU farmers. But organic farmers oppose this and a lot may depend on a European court ruling due before the summer.
The EU needs to speak up to avoid ‘backdoor’ GMOs on our plates
When is a genetically modified organism (GMO) not a GMO? This is the question that the ECJ will soon rule on after a complaint from a coalition of French agriculture groups reached the EU’s highest court, writes Mute Schimpf.
EU seeds industry: No sense to label products from new breeding techniques
Labelling products that result from the so-called new plant breeding techniques would provide little new information and would therefore make no sense for consumers, Garlich von Essen, secretary-general of the European Seeds Association (ESA), told EURACTIV.com.
MEP De Castro: New plant breeding techniques will ensure food quality and quantity
The new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) are a major opportunity to move toward sustainable agriculture and simultaneously ensure food quality for EU consumers, MEP Paolo De Castro told EURACTIV.com.
New plant breeding techniques concern law interpretation, Commission says
The future of new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) at the EU level lies in the European Court of Justice’s interpretation of existing law, Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com, adding that the executive will act accordingly at the political level.
Do new plant breeding techniques have a future in Europe?
The European Court of Justice is expected to decide soon about the future of the so-called new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) in Europe. The term describes a number of scientific methods for the genetic engineering of plants to enhance traits...
Tackling ammonia emissions from agriculture
Agriculture generates around 94% of all ammonia emissions in the EU, the vast majority of which comes from livestock excreta. Greenpeace estimates the livestock share at almost 80%, while mineral fertiliser application accounts for approximately 20%.
Hogan: 3 reasons EU farmers should take the risk and invest in agriculture
European farmers should invest in post-2020 agriculture as it will be less bureaucratic, more focused on “technology breakthroughs” and will improve their standard of living, EU Commissioner Phil Hogan told EURACTIV.com.
EU farmers: US overtakes Europe in plant breeding innovation
European farmers warned EU policymakers on 10 April to take immediate action and encourage innovative new plant breeding techniques following the US decision not to regulate them.Supporter
