About: agricultural subsidies
Major political groups harbour corruption – Greens’ Freund
The major European political groups tolerate corruption and malfeasance among the member parties, says Green MEP Daniel Freund, who also analyses the weaknesses of instruments to fight the misuse of EU funds.
France’s young farmers are struggling to establish themselves
Between the challenge of accessing land and the cost of transferring ownership of farms, young French farmers are struggling to establish themselves as farmers. The question is, will the next generation of farmers be able to take up the baton in France? EURACTIV France reports.
Profitability, land and passion for the countryside: the magic triangle of agriculture’s generational renewal
In Spain and across the European Union, more than 90% of farmers are close to the retirement age, meaning that the problem of generational renewal poses a serious problem. Finding a solution depends on the combination of a magical triangle. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
‘Burdensome administration’ means young farmers are missing out on EU subsidies
Young farmers accessing land via non-conventional contracts are eligible for EU subsidies, according to the European Commission. But in practice, burdensome administrative constraints often outweighs any financial advantage, meaning that landowners are cashing in while young farmers are missing out.
2,500 scientists urge EU to reform environmentally ‘damaging’ CAP
More than 2,500 scientists across the EU have joined forces and reached out to the EU parliament in a letter urging them to “to act on the science, and undertake a far-reaching reform of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) without delay.”
French MPs denounce Commission’s lack of progress on CAP reform
France is beginning to kick up a fuss on the issue of reforming the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which is not seeing any progress even though its format is supposed to change from 2021 onwards. EURACTIV France reports.
Commission dismisses criticism of EU sugar policy made in a post-Brexit study
A UK study setting recommendations for the country's post-Brexit trade and agriculture has challenged the EU's sugar policy of the last decade, saying it stimulated sugar over-production. The Commission stood up for its 2016-2017 sugar quota system and dismissed the claim as unfounded.
Efficient spending at the roots of MEPs divisions over new CAP
The post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) discussions started at long last in the European Parliament, but in a deeply divided Agricultural Committee. MEPs still seem a long way from an agreement on how to spend the money and who should get the subsidies.
Czech farmers most affected by CAP budget cuts, warns agri-expert
Cuts to post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds will severely affect the Czech Republic, according to agriculture analyst Petr Havel who spoke to EURACTIV Czech Republic’s media partner, Aktualne.cz.
Germany says US-Europe trade tensions ease, questions remain on soy
The trade relationship between the United States and Europe is improving, German Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner said on Saturday (28 July), but there is no guarantee the bloc will buy the quantity of soybeans that Washington expects.
Slovak farmers drive tractors into capital to protest alleged EU subsidy fraud
Dozens of farmers from across Slovakia drove their tractors into the capital Bratislava on Tuesday (19 June) to protest against alleged irregularities in EU farm subsidy payments first made public by murdered journalist Jan Kuciak.
Market-making for Burundi’s farmers
One of the main causes of food insecurity for farmers in rural areas is limited access to agricultural inputs. Donors, NGOs and governments are using a variety of new tools to improve access to basic products.
France worries over renationalisation of Common Agricultural Policy
In France, the largest recipient of funding under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), politicians and farmers’ unions fear the policy's "nationalisation" after 2020. EURACTIV France reports.
Commission will defend Spanish olive producers against US tariffs
The European Commission has said it will stand up for Spanish black olive producers if the United States slaps anti-dumping tariffs on the €65 million export trade, amid fears by EU farmers that tariffs on other products may follow.
England’s farmers want to believe in Brexit
Farmers in North-East England are fed up with Brussels. But they are counting on the British government to fill the gap left by EU funds until 2020. What then? EURACTIV’s partner Ouest-France reports.
Hogan: Balanced trade deals beneficial for EU farming
Trade deals have boosted EU agricultural exports as well as employment in agri-food and other economic sectors, a new European Commission study has found.
Copa-Cogeca: New export markets did not increase EU farmers’ income
The EU found new niche markets to balance the losses of the Russian embargo but this has not translated into increased income for farmers, Pekka Pesonen told EURACTIV.com.
New German study backs further agricultural reform
Europeans are not happy with the way €55 billion of their taxes is spent on agricultural studies, according to a new study, which has backed further tinkering with the EU's farming policy. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Spanish agriculture in numbers
Spain is home to almost one million agricultural and livestock businesses, covering 30 million hectares of land and employing some 750,000 people.
How Spanish farmers try to make a profit
Direct aid, funds from the second pillar, input costs and farming income are just some of the many balls that agriculturalists have to juggle these days. These factors ultimately make or break a farming enterprise. EURACTIV’s partner EFEAgro reports.
Fit for purpose, fair and sustainable: A new agricultural policy is possible
A new study by German environmental NGO NABU (BirdLife Germany) shows how current funding could be used more economically and ecologically. But this drastic change requires political will, warns Konstantin Kreiser.
Mapping farm fields systems could be ‘better used’, EU auditors say
The European Court of Auditors urged the European Commission to avoid “unnecessarily complicated” rules for mapping EU farm fields eligible for direct payments from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and wherever possible “simplify the system”.
Spain reflects back on 30 years of CAP highs and lows
Representatives from the agricultural sector, food industry and the Spanish government have gathered to discuss the pros and cons of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as Spain celebrates 30 years of EU membership. EURACTIV Spain reports.