Modern farming
EU countries back cage-free farming initiative with some caveats
Representatives of member states have endorsed the European Commission's ambition to phase out cage rearing in the EU, but showed far less enthusiasm than the European Parliament and expressed concerns about the timeline of the initiative and the appropriate financial support for farmers.
Data-driven actions as the key to deliver sustainability in the EU dairy sector?
The current EU agri-food model is going through radical change. The need to feed a growing population sustainably and protect biodiversity is putting demands on the industry like never before.
Restoring pride top priority for Generation Z farmers
Generation Z - those born between 1997 and 2015 - is faced with the future farming paradox: it is an exciting time to be a farmer with many opportunities opened up by innovation, but a farmer's life has never been so complicated.
Agricultural education too ‘stale’ for tomorrow’s farmers, says expert
Agricultural education is “stale” and in need of a shake-up to help tomorrow's farmers meet the challenges ahead, according to a leading veterinary consultant and educator, Tommy Heffernan, who said the sector is facing a decade of "massive change".
‘Conservationist’ farmers confirm support for glyphosate renewal
Proponents of glyphosate renewal count on farmers putting in place agronomic practices following Conservative Agriculture (CA) principles in their bid to get the EU green light for the controversial weed killer.
EU farmers at odds with agriculture Commissioner after controversial tweets
EU farmers have told EURACTIV they have been left feeling unrepresented by the EU Agricultural Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski after he posted a series of controversial tweets criticising industrial farming.
Report: majority of consumers want compulsory labelling on all genetically modified food
A majority of European consumers want to see compulsory labelling on food products containing genetically modified crops, according to a recent Ipsos report, but industry players insist that this is impossible to implement.
Women farmers ‘essential’ for future, says French agriculture minister
An increasing number of women in France are entering the agricultural world, dominated by men for so long. EURACTIV France takes a closer look at the role of women farmers in the country.
Working with EU on food sustainability requires redefining US agricultural governance
The Biden administration must begin a food diplomacy revolution, starting with food system transformation at home and learning from other countries, writes Sophia Murphy.
2021: The year of the CAP
2019 is likely to be the year in which the much awaited reform of the main EU's massive farming subsidies programme, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), will see the light.
Commission at odds with Parliament over GM crop authorisations
The EU executive looks set to press ahead with a "new approach" to genetically modified (GM) crop authorisations in the wake of persistent lack of political support for the technology in the European Parliament.OpinionPromoted content
Breeding ground for pandemics – why mink farming is a danger to public health
A danger to public health – Europe’s fur farms have long been exposed as cruel, but with the recent pandemic a new factor came into play: They are the perfect breeding ground for the virus and a danger to human health.
How American agriculture can work with the EU on food sustainability
We must build more resilient, sustainable global food systems that can feed an increasingly hungry world, or there will be dire consequences, warn Kip Tom and Ronald J. Gidwitz.
UK launches consultation on gene editing, signals divergence from EU
In one of its first post-Brexit moves, the UK has launched a consultation on gene editing in a bid to unlock “substantial benefits” for the sector and the environment, but the move could put the country at odds with the EU on the matter.
Plant breeding sector split over potential of patenting to spur innovation
The European Commission adopted its intellectual property plan in November, hailed as a driver of future growth, but the plant breeding sector remains divided over the potential of intellectual property rights for spurring on much-needed agricultural innovation.
Feed additives ‘key tool’ in achieving farming sustainability goals, say stakeholders
Feed additives hold enormous potential for reducing the environmental impact of the farming sector, but are not getting the attention they deserve according to farming sector and feed industry stakeholders, who are calling for more focus on the role of feed additives in contributing to sustainability goals.
Women must be ‘at the heart of sustainability conversation’ in farming, says MEP
Women farmers must be at the forefront of the sustainable farming discussion, but they say there are still barriers in the way and a lack of support for their entry into the profession.
Digitalisation in agriculture: Mission impossible?
The German Agriculture Ministry and the European Agricultural Research Initiative examined what politics and research can do to effectively tackle the problem of digitisation in agriculture at an online conference on Wednesday (2 December). EURACTIV Germany reports.
Europe must follow Czechia in banning hen cages
Good news is in short supply these days as Europe battles Covid-19, but there is something to celebrate: breeding millions of egg-laying hens in cages will be banned in the Czech Republic, from 2027, writes Michaela Šojdrová.
No wine left behind: How Germany wants to adapt to climate change
Winegrowers are facing unprecedented challenges from climate change, like hot summers or water shortages, but the warmer climate also favours certain types of cultivation. The German government's adaptation strategy is designed to help the winegrowing sector, but to what extent does it help them in practice? EURACTIV Germany reports.
French startup set to produce 20 tons of prawns ‘made in France’ by 2021
The first of its kind in Europe, two young French agricultural engineers have launched Agriloops, a saltwater aquaponics startup that aims to produce 20 tonnes of prawns and 40 tonnes of vegetables "made in France" annually. EURACTIV France reports.
Ecological farming can be more profitable than conventional, says new report
A recent report by the government think tank France Stratégie demonstrates the profitability of more environmentally friendly farms and proposes a review of the methods of allocating CAP subsidies to encourage a green transition in farming. EURACTIV France reports.
US farm boss warns EU agrifood trade could be ‘perdue’ after Farm to Fork
US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has voiced concerns that the EU Green Deal could undermine trade and affect the “viability of EU farmers”, a claim that has been refuted by his EU counterpart.