Sustainable meat

Commission dampens bid to end EU meat promotion

The European Commission has softened its stance on phasing out the promotion of red and processed meat in Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, and the latest change has received a mixed reception from stakeholders.

Food origin label: EU countries steer Commission toward animal products

Agriculture ministers have prompted the EU executive to prioritise products of animal origin if a mandatory indication of food origin will be included in the upcoming proposal for EU-wide front-of-pack labelling.

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.

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.

US-UK imports of meat raised with antibiotics risk undermining EU farmers

Trade of meat from animals raised with antibiotics between the United Kingdon and the United States threatens the progress recently made on antibiotic resistance and risks adversely affecting both British and EU meat producers, warns a new report published on Tuesday (1 December).

Plant biodiversity suffers without livestock grazing, says expert

On the back of a recent European Commission-funded report which called for nuance in the livestock vs environment debate, EURACTIV took a look at the importance of EU grasslands and the role of livestock in maintaining them.

Avian flu threat looms large in EU after cases detected in Netherlands

The detection of several cases of avian influenza in the Netherlands has set the EU on red alert for the possibility of spread elsewhere, leaving the country itself on 'high alert' and preparing a mass culling of animals.

EU food origin labels should be placed on the cards, stakeholders say

Adding another element to the current food labelling debates in the EU, stakeholders have called for an EU origin label to be taken into consideration, saying this would encourage consumers to support the European livestock sector.

Agrifood Brief: Brexit crunch time – no time to chew the fat

Welcome to EURACTIV's AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU.

Routine illegal pig-tail docking continues unabated in the EU

Despite the fact that the practice was outlawed over 20 years ago, only two member states have banned pig-tail docking, according to a Commission response offered to a parliamentary question on the matter.

Agrifood Brief: A State of the Agricultural Union

Welcome to EURACTIV's AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU.

Germany plans transformation for more animal-friendly stables

The German state and federal agriculture ministers agreed to extensively restructure livestock farming on Thursday (27 August). In parallel, a national animal welfare label is to be introduced soon. On Monday (31 August), EU agriculture ministers will discuss a similar project at EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.

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

Gene editing, CAP reform bickering, hospitality sector

Welcome to EURACTIV’s AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU. You can subscribe here if you haven’t done so yet. German Green faction pushes for gene editing, overhaul of regulation In an unprecedented...

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.

Farm to Fork Strategy – What’s on the menu?

In this special edition of the agrifood podcast, EURACTIV's agrifood team spoke to a range of policymakers and stakeholders to hear their remarks on the presentation of the highly anticipated Farm to Fork strategy, the new EU's landmark food policy

Farm to Fork strategy softens stance on meat but backs alternative proteins

The EU's pivotal Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, presented on Wednesday (20 May), softened its stance on meat compared to the previous draft versions but offered staunch support for alternative proteins, which campaigners said was the first step in the right direction.

German slaughterhouses become a source of COVID-19 infections

Many employees in slaughterhouses are ill with COVID-19 because they work and live closely together. The abuses in the industry have been known for years, but little has changed. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Farm to Fork leak, circular economy plan and COVID-19

Welcome to EURACTIV’s AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU. You can subscribe here if you haven’t done so yet. The latest draft of the Farm to Fork strategy, obtained by EURACTIV, features...

EU’s draft food policy to address livestock farming emissions, animal welfare

The latest draft of the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), obtained by EURACTIV, features a few notable changes from the previous version, including an emphasis on the possible role of animal farming in the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and on options for animal welfare labelling.

Are Europeans ready for an insect-based diet?

While insect-based foods have so far been quite a niche product, they are viewed as a highly promising solution to the challenges facing the food industry. Although new EU regulations should pave the way for these products - European eating habits might have to change too. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Activists call on Greek government to finally ban ‘donkey-taxis’

Activists are calling for an immediate ban on the practice of using donkeys as “taxis” for tourists in Greece, saying that an awareness campaign will not be sufficient to a stop to the cruel tradition.

MEPs bare teeth at illegal cats and dogs trade

The European Parliament is calling for a halt to the illegal trade in pets to protect animal welfare and public health but also to combat what has become an all too lucrative business. EURACTIV's partner Ouest-France reports.