Nutrition and health
Andriukaitis heats up glyphosate discussion with ‘science’ comments
In light of heavy criticism by the EU socialists in the revived glyphosate debate, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com that political opinions cannot outweigh broadly-agreed scientific opinions.
Germany’s cheap food prices come at a cost, study finds
Germans love to do their food shopping at discount retailers. But the costs incurred in order to provide such cheap prices are enormous and society is paying through the nose for it. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Slovak study fuels concerns about lower quality food in Eastern Europe
A new study carried out by the Slovak government has found significant quality differences in the same products sold in Slovakia and Austria.
Kofi Annan: ‘What is the point of economic growth if you cannot breathe?’
Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called yesterday (28 March) for investment in developing countries in order to “produce more food with fewer resources”, while making agriculture more sustainable.
Europe poised for total ban on bee-harming pesticides
The world’s most widely used insecticides would be banned from all fields across Europe under draft regulations from the European Commission, seen by EURACTIV’s partner The Guardian.
UN report calls for end to industrial agriculture
The UN’s special rapporteur on the right to food has issued a damning indictment of the harmful effects of pesticides on flora, fauna and human beings. EURACTIV’s partner Journal de l’Environnement reports.
Greece fails to claim a single euro from EU’s fruit and veg in schools scheme
Greece did not manage to absorb a single euro from the EU’s fruit and vegetables in schools scheme because no tender was submitted to a call, a European Commission spokesperson told EURACTIV.com.
Romanian MEP: EU needs food quality agency
Food quality in Western Europe can differ greatly to what Central and Eastern European shops stock on their shelves. S&D group MEP Daciana Sârbu spoke to EURACTIV Romania about the issue and promoting local produce.
Spain’s contribution to global agri-trade
Global trade has its ups and downs and the numbers involved are often difficult to comprehend. EURACTIV's partner EFEAGRO visualises EU agri-trade, with a focus on Spain's contribution, in this infographic.
EU urges member states to target childhood obesity in schools
Faced with alarming childhood obesity cases, the European Commission is calling on member states to take action in the procurement of healthy food for schools.
Spanish oil, wine, meat and horticultural products: Four success stories
Spain's agricultural sector has used exports as a way to escape from financial crisis and it has emerged as a real engine of the economy since 2008. Growth continues unabated and numerous records have been broken. EURACTIV's partner EFEAgro reports.
Antibiotic resistance needs global response
Bacteria are becoming more resistant and only a few new types of antibiotic have been introduced in recent decades. Humanity could once again suffer millions of deaths each year from infectious diseases, warn Lars Adaktusson and Magnus Oscarsson.
Neurological study: Mediterranean diet helps brain health
Older people who don’t follow a “Mediterranean diet” are more likely to have a higher loss of total brain volume over time, new scientific research has found.
Agricultural innovation: A driver for sustainability?
As the global population continues to grow, lawmakers are looking for innovation-driven solutions to feed the world while addressing the environmental impact of agriculture.
A soft target: EU countries go after sugar in CVD fight
If the UK is a leader among European countries in statin treatment and cardiac rehabilitation, it lags behind in addressing the behavioural causes of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as child obesity.
Diabetes expert: Urgent need for education ‘at every level’
There is a great need to raise awareness and enhance education on diabetes and a healthier lifestyle “at every level”, Stella de Sabata, head of the International Diabetes Federation, told EURACTIV.com.
José Bové: ‘The purpose of agriculture is to feed our citizens’
The European executive will reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) by the end of 2017. José Bové and Éric Andrieu argue for an agricultural system that puts the environment, human health and small businesses first. EURACTIV’s partner Ouest France reports.
What role for positive nutrition in the future?
With the rise of obesity, food and nutrition have become a high-priority topic on the EU agenda.
New GM crops once again fail the safety test
As the world focuses elsewhere, two untested varieties of genetically modified maize are slowly manoeuvring their way through the legislative hoops of the European institutions towards Europe’s fields, writes Mute Schimpf.
Let’s ‘meat’ in the middle on climate change
The contribution of animal-source foods to global warming cannot be ignored. But encouraging everyone to become vegetarian or even vegan can’t be the silver bullet solution envisioned by some, argues Polly Ericksen.
Hard to swallow: Breaking the EU taboo on healthy, sustainable diets
The European Commission has consistently failed to deliver commitments on promoting healthy and sustainable diets. New plans to increase rather than reduce meat consumption are proving difficult to stomach, argues Dr Joanna Swabe.
The EU’s promotion of meat consumption is misguided, Mr Hogan
Ever since he took office, Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan has promoted the interests of the livestock sector while ignoring health warnings and environmental concerns over meat consumption, writes Olga Kikou.
Industrial agriculture threatens to drive German smallholders into ruin
The existence of many farms is dependent on economic pressure and competition brought by larger scale holdings. More and more German farms are being driven into ruin and the environment is paying a hefty price too. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Tony Simons: Agroforestry is a ‘win-win’ for developing nations
Agroforestry is a "back to the future" concept, advocating a return to the origins of farming —trees and fields— rather than the modern concept of huge monocultures, says Tony Simons.