Almost half of French people have cut meat consumption in last three years

French people tend to eat less meat than before, according to the results of the Harris Interactive survey published on Thursday ( 25 February). This change in eating habits can only be welcomed, both from an environmental and health perspective. EURACTIV France reports.

Systemic misuse of EU agri grants in Central-Eastern Europe, report finds

Common agricultural subsidies continue to be systematically misused across countries in Central and Eastern Europe, despite numerous attempts by the European Commission to remediate the issue, according to a new report commissioned by the Greens/EFA political group.

Unfair competition not top concern in green farming ambitions, says EU official

The discussion about pushing forward the green agenda globally should put less emphasis on the unfair competition for farmers that may arise as a consequence, a Commission official said recently, but the claim was quickly refuted by the farming community.

Level of food security in the EU is not uniform, report shows

European countries performed differently in a study that measures the state of global food security, showing an internal discrepancy within the bloc that put Europe behind North America in the ranking of regions.

Fight over inclusion of labour rights in CAP heats up

The ongoing debate over the inclusion of provisions on workers' rights in the reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has kicked up a notch with the publication of a letter from more than 300 European organisations advocating for social conditionality.

Farm To Fork – Can it lead to a ‘gold-standard food system’ in Europe, focused on SDGs?

The Farm to Fork Strategy is at the heart of the European Green Deal, aiming to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly.

EU-Africa partnership must reflect ‘realities of African agriculture’

Future agrifood partnerships between the EU and Africa take into account the realities of farming in Africa, especially in the context of a drive for a greener transition, agrifood stakeholders have warned.

Restaurants face ‘wave of bankruptcies’ after lockdowns

The food services sector has been hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic, but governments are struggling to find ways to reopen safely.

Commission launches plans for EU sustainability ‘code of conduct’ for food businesses

The European Commission has taken its first steps towards launching a 'code of conduct' for actors along the food chain, as part of its aim to increase the sustainability of the food system.

COVID crisis ‘trigger’ for innovation in hospitality sector, say researchers

The COVID-19 crisis has deeply impacted the hospitality sector, but it has also been a trigger of business model innovation and this must be encouraged to help businesses adapt to the "new normal", according to new research. 

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.

Green Deal makes its mark on EU crop protection sector

Increasing calls on the agri-food system to transition to a more sustainable model have seen the leading EU crop protection association rebrand and expand its mandate to encompass a more holistic approach to plant protection.

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.

Grub’s up: Insects could soon be on the menu after EFSA green light

Mealworms are safe for human consumption according to a new opinion by the EU Food Safety Agency (EFSA), paving the way for the first EU-wide approval.

EU-Africa partnership needed for transformation of food systems, says experts

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the need for EU-African collaboration is more important than ever in the drive to strengthen and transform food systems, but care must be taken to make it an equitable partnership, experts have stressed.

Member states reserve right to enforce mandatory stunning prior to slaughter, rules ECJ

EU countries have the right to enforce mandatory stunning on animals prior to slaughter because it does not infringe on religious rights, the bloc's highest court has ruled, drawing angry protests from the European Jewish Congress.

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.

Give agricultural workers vaccination priority, stakeholders urge

As the approval of a COVID-19 vaccine edges closer in the EU, stakeholders are urging member states to treat the food and drink workforce as a top priority in vaccination plans.

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.

UK moves to ban live exports of animals but EU ban ‘far off’, says MEP

As the UK prepares to ban the live export of animals, the debate over the practice is also gaining traction in the EU, although the bloc is unlikely to follow suit any time soon, according to MEP Tilly Metz.

Agrifood Brief, Special Edition: A closer look at EU agrifood trade 

Welcome to this EURACTIV special edition on agrifood trade, where we take a closer look at each member state's position on trade and their country's own specific issues.

Green farming ambitions must not lose sight of bigger picture, experts warn

While policies aiming to green the EU’s farming system should be welcomed as a step in the right direction, they must also show coherence and understanding of the global picture, experts have warned.

Farm to Fork: what role for consumers and innovation

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Although reduction targets set in the EU's flagship food policy stole public opinion's attention at first, consumer behaviour and innovation are expected to have an equal, critical role to play in the path toward more sustainable food system.