Sustainable food systems
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.
UK gene editing amendment withdrawn, but government commits to consultation
An amendment tabled in the new UK agriculture bill, designed to allow access to new gene-editing technology, has been withdrawn but the government has pledged to conduct a public consultation on the issue, amid indications that it could eventually be in favour.
Farm to Fork Strategy: A partial response to our farmers’ needs
The European Commission's Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy has pleased environmentalists, but that is not enough - we have to look at the big picture and address its economic and social impact as well, writes Hermann Tertsch.
New impetus for sustainability tests Europe’s ‘soft power’
In the race to become a global leader for sustainability, the EU is expected to give proof of its 'soft power' with third countries to cope with the risks of falling behind on innovation.
Young farmers need a toolbox ‘as broad as possible’ to achieve Farm to Fork goals
Ensuring that food producers will be provided with the appropriate alternatives is the best way to make progress in meeting the specific objectives set up in the new Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), according to young European farmers interviewed by EURACTIV.
Kyriakides: Investments will match EU’s ambition on sustainable food systems
The EU's determination to become a global leader in sustainability will be matched by investments in solutions to deliver on the commitments set out in the EU's new food policy, Commissioner Stella Kyriakides told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview.
EU should do more on agrodiversity, Commissioner warns
Diversifying food production is key to strengthening the resilience of European agriculture and creating realistic business models for farmers in the coming years, according to EU's agri-boss Janusz Wojciechowski.
Digital tools needed to help apply fertiliser targets to national level, say stakeholders
EU-wide targets for the reduction of fertilisers, as outlined in the Farm to Fork strategy, must now be translated to country-specific targets, and for this farmers need access to the latest tools and technologies to allow them to reach these targets and get an accurate picture of the situation, stakeholders have said.
Working conditions in meat processing plants make them hotbed for COVID-19
Another major COVID-19 outbreak in the largest meat processing facility in Europe has prompted stakeholders to urge the EU Commission to take swift measures to protect workers in the sector and stem the spread of the virus.
Food security is no longer an issue in the EU, says Commissioner
Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius has cast doubt on the long-standing primacy of food security over environmental aspects in the current EU food system, suggesting that traditional concerns might give way to issues like climate change, sustainability, or biodiversity.
European Parliament approves new committee on live transport of animals
The European Parliament approved the setting up of an Inquiry Committee on live transport on Friday (19 June) with an overwhelming majority of 605 out of 689 MEPs in favour, after audits revealed major problems with the welfare of animals during transport
Lack of skilled workers ‘serious concern’ for pig welfare at slaughter
The European food safety authority (EFSA) has published its latest scientific opinion on the welfare of pigs at slaughter, which found that the majority of hazards identified were due in large part to staff failings.
MEPs back impact assessment for farmers in case of glyphosate reduction
Any potential reduction of glyphosate in the EU should be preceded by an impact assessment exploring the consequence for farmers, EU lawmakers said during a recent debate organised by EURACTIV.
Industrial agriculture linked to insect collapse, says new report
Insect populations are plummeting across the world because of industrial farming and heavy pesticide use, and this decline is a threat to food production, warned a new report released on Tuesday (9 June).
New sustainable food policy bears risk of unsustainable imports, ministers warn
The European Commission's latest efforts to make the European food system more sustainable may risk inadvertently encouraging unsustainable farming practices elsewhere, EU agriculture ministers stressed on Monday (8 June).
Environmental NGOs irked by EU Agriculture Council snub
Environmental stakeholders have complained about the Croatian presidency of the EU Council for not having invited them to share their views on agricultural aspects of the European Green Deal at an informal meeting of EU farming ministers held on Monday (8 June).
Authorities urged to support struggling meat sector post-coronavirus
More than 65 organisations and individuals across producer, veterinary, research, and academic sectors have co-signed a letter calling for more support in the global meat sector in the wake of the coronavirus crisis and urging authorities to refute claims that the crisis stemmed from the livestock sector.
Brexit no deal could ‘severely disrupt’ agrifood sector
The failure to conclude a trade agreement between the EU and the UK would have serious consequences for the agrifood sector for both parties, according to a joint statement released by major EU agrifood stakeholders on Thursday (4 June).
EU consumers open to exploring more sustainable diets, but lack information to do so
EU consumers are influenced by environmental concerns and willing to change their eating habits accordingly but lack of information, high prices and limited availability of sustainable foods still stand in the way, according to a new survey from the European Consumer Organisation, BEUC.
Agriculture has fundamental role to play in fighting climate change, says French socialist MEP
In an interview with EURACTIV's partner Le Journal de l'environnement, French socialist MEP Éric Andrieu (S&D) said that climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic make it necessary to put agriculture back at the heart of the debate and to change the agricultural model with targeted tools and resources.
COVID-19 could be ‘straw that breaks meat industry’s back’ says new report
Nearly three-quarters of the world’s largest meat, fish and dairy companies have been graded as a ‘high' pandemic risk and criticised for their inability to prevent the emergence of new zoonotic diseases in a new report released on Wednesday (3 June).
Food security again under EU spotlight in the wake of COVID-19 crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic has left its mark on the EU's new food policy, as the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), presented on Wednesday (20 May), demonstrated a renewed interest in food security to ensure the supply during crises of any nature.
Commission upholds highly ambitious targets to transform EU food system
After several delays, the EU's new flagship food policy was finally released on Wednesday (20 May), confirming the aspiration of the EU executive to transform the European way of producing, distributing and consuming food.
What has COVID-19 changed for the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy?
What has COVID-19 changed for the EU's Farm to Fork Strategy? Nothing apart from underlining the urgency of transforming our food systems, write Nick Jacobs, Celia Nyssens and Nikolai Pushkarev.