Sustainable food systems
MEPs’ draft report on sustainable farming future sparks controversy
Lawmakers in the European Parliament’s agriculture and environmental committees have staked their preliminary position on the EU's green farming ambitions, voting in favour of a draft report which includes a number of controversial amendments.
Agri stakeholders gear up for last minute push ahead of Farm to Fork vote
Agricultural stakeholders have joined forces for a last minute push on the EU’s flagship food policy, the Farm to Fork strategy, ahead of Parliament’s vote on their draft report outlining their official reaction to the strategy this week.
MEPs blast Commission’s flagship forest strategy as vague, overstepping EU remit
European lawmakers from across the political spectrum have united in criticism against the European Commission’s new flagship Forest Strategy, describing it as vague and superficial while flagging concerns that it goes beyond the remit of EU competences.
Experts: Deadly floods made worse by misguided farming practices
German environmental organisations are calling for flood protection measures to be improved and for a change to the way agricultural soils are used weeks after catastrophic flash floods deluged the country and left more than 200 dead across Western Europe. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU implements first animal welfare-based condition in trade agreement
In an unprecedented move, the EU has included the first animal welfare-based condition in the Mercosur trade agreement, but stakeholders warned that this does not go far enough to save the controversial deal that is facing increasing opposition in Europe.
Commission moves against EU countries over unfair trading practices
The European Commission has opened infringement procedures against 12 member states after they failed to transpose EU rules banning unfair trading practices in the agri-food sector within the allotted time frame.
France’s climate law takes aim at fertilisers, meat on school menus
France's long awaited climate law will introduce a series of measures impacting the agricultural sector, including to reduce the use of nitrogen based fertilisers and to encourage more vegetarian menus in school canteens. EURACTIV France reports.
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.
Stakeholders split over EU food promotional funding for meat, exports
Stakeholders remain divided on promotional support for target markets and animal products, with NGOs calling for meat to be cut off cold turkey, while farmers argue no products should be off the table.
‘Audience-first’ approach needed to boost public trust in science, say experts
The wider population's trust in the the scientific community when it comes to food issues remains low and institutions must adopt an 'audience-first' approach to help change that, experts have warned.
Agri Commissioner backs call for polluter pays principle in farming
The farming sector should be made financially responsible for pollution, especially water pollution, according to a new report by the European court of auditors, an idea welcomed by the EU's Agriculture Commissioner.
Commission backs ban on cages in farming in ‘historic’ move for animal welfare
The European Commission has committed to working towards a ban on cages for farmed animals in what is being hailed as an historic move for animal welfare after a citizens initiative amassed more than one million signatures from across Europe.
Germany’s pre-UN food summit talks criticised for ignoring ‘most marginalised’
In the run-up to the UN Food Systems Summit in September, Germany's agriculture ministry launched its preparatory process at a conference this week where politicians, agriculture and health experts exchanged their views on future food production. However, the dialogue was criticised for missing the voices of marginalised people. EURACTIV Germany reports.
MEPs overwhelmingly vote to ban cages for farmed animals
The European Parliament urged the European Commission to make cages for farmed animals a thing of the past in a resolution adopted on Thursday (10 June), marking a first step towards a ban on cages by 2027.
Expert: ‘Climate natives’ should be at the centre of EU’s Farm to Fork strategy
Europe's vision of the future of food systems needs to be improved with a focus on young generations, who will be putting into practice the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), according to Riccardo Valentini, a prominent agricultural expert, who warned that "everything in this transition that is done without young people is a waste of money".
EU at ‘tipping point’ in reversing current nutritional trends, report highlights
The EU is currently at a ‘tipping point’ when it comes to nutritional challenges, according to a new report, which highlights the urgent need for an integrated approach to ensure the balance tips in the right direction.
Spain declines EU Parliament’s invitation to clear livestock ship affair
The Spanish government has rejected a request to speak before the European Parliament's inquiry committee (ANIT) about issues related to live transport of animals, according to documents seen by EURACTIV.
A legal framework for soil protection is not in Commission’s pipeline
The European Commission on Wednesday (12 May) announced a set of measures to tackle soil pollution in the pipeline but without envisaging a dedicated and legally binding framework.
EU gives green light to bloc’s first edible insect
Dried yellow mealworms are the first insect food to receive the go-ahead for marketing authorisation in the EU after a favourable opinion from member states.
MEP: Livestock breeding ‘neglected’ in fight to tackle antimicrobial resistance
Animal breeding has been neglected in the conversation on tackling the looming global crisis of antimicrobial resistance, according to Green MEP Sarah Weiner, who stressed a need to focus on breeding animals for resilience over productivity.
European Commission open to consider cage rearing ban initiative
Three members of the European Commission have reacted positively to a public petition requesting the phase-out of cage rearing in the EU, expressing support to the initiative.
Pandemic whets French appetite for organic, locally produced food
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the eating habits of the French, according to Agence Bio's 18th barometer on consumption and perception of organic products. In 2020, more people tended towards eating more local, in season, and organic. EURACTIV France reports.
French mosques fear slaughter policy change is ban on halal chicken
Several major French mosques have expressed concern that a proposed ban on the slaughter of poultry without first stunning the animals would effectively lead to a ban on halal chicken, while the agriculture ministry says this concern is unfounded. EURACTIV France reports.
Spain’s agri-minister: We are EU’s ‘vegetable garden’ thanks to innovation, quality
Spain is the "vegetable garden of Europe" and the sector remains competitive thanks to a combination of quality, innovation and meeting consumer demands, the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, told EURACTIV's partner EFE agro.