About: Green CAP
EU hits pause on helping farmers fight climate change
The farming sector is often blasted for its contribution to climate change. But it also has unique potential to capture and store carbon, write Imke Lübbeke and Andreas Baumüller.
The EU’s promotion of meat consumption is misguided, Mr Hogan
Ever since he took office, Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan has promoted the interests of the livestock sector while ignoring health warnings and environmental concerns over meat consumption, writes Olga Kikou.
France seeks renewed ‘legitimacy’ for EU farm policy post-Brexit
In light of an unprecedented farming crisis, EU agriculture ministers will gather in France today (2 September) to exchange views on the future role of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after Britain's decision to leave the 28-country bloc.
New CAP can make EU farming profitable, Spanish farmers say
Spanish farmers consider the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as an opportunity to cut red tape and make environmental measures more efficient.
Commission’s ‘green’ CAP questionable, study says
The implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the period 2014-2020 is not as “green” as the European Commission is claiming, a new study has found.
EU green farming projects ‘too costly’, auditors say
A new report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) has found “unreasonably high costs” related to EU-funded schemes to support environmentally-friendly agriculture in the UK, Italy, Denmark and Portugal.
New CAP should focus on quality, say organic farmers
Organic farmers have urged the European Commission to respond to citizen demand for a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) focused on quality food. EURACTIV Greece reports.
Hogan warns UK farmers over Brexit
Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan raised the alarm on Thursday (7 January) over a possible Brexit, stressing that it would adversely impact British farmers.
Europe entering the era of ‘precision agriculture’
SPECIAL REPORT / The agricultural sector has stepped into the digital era, in an effort to respond to rising global nutrition needs and tackle the environmental crisis.
EU report: ‘Dramatic’ butterfly decline impacts on other species
Europe’s grassland butterfly population has dropped “dramatically” over the past 20 years, a stark warning that many of Europe’s species may be heading for extinction, says a new report by the European Environment Agency.CAP conclave: Hiding behind a green smokescreen
Dacian Ciolo? is stuck between a rock and a hard place over the Common Agricultural Policy he first proposed. He will need to show extraordinary resolve to overcome a possible travesty of democracy in the upcoming trialogue, argue Ariel Brunner and Pieter de Pous.
Slovakia, Slovenia refuse to sign off on CAP deal
Agriculture ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday (19 March) forged an incomplete compromise farm policy ahead of key negotiations on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with Slovakia and Slovenia refusing to sign off on the deal.
After landmark CAP vote, the hard work begins
MEPs exercised their power to shape agricultural policy for the first time on Wednesday (13 March), voting to adopt a controversial package of legislation that now faces a fresh round of negotiations with national leaders. EURACTIV reports from Strasbourg.
Parliament makes U-turn, allows full vote on CAP reform
Bowing to criticism that it was “undemocratic”, the European Parliament’s agriculture committee agreed Monday night (11 March) to allow the full house to vote on hundreds of amendments to the EU’s future farm policy, many of them aimed at reversing the panel’s earlier decisions. EURACTIV reports from Strasbourg.
Fate of green CAP plans hangs on Parliament
Conservationists angered by efforts to “gut” Europe’s future farm policy are banking on the full European Parliament to protect the environmental standards proposed by the European Commission.Greener CAP is a good deal for both farmers and the environment
Around €100 billion out of a global CAP budget of €363 billion for the period 2014-2020 will be dedicated to the protection of natural resources after last week's agreement on the EU's long term budget, writes Dacian Ciolo?. The challenge now is to define concrete measures to make a real difference for the environment and to secure the long term competitiveness of EU farmers.
MEPs back a less green, more ‘flexible’ CAP
The European Parliament’s agriculture committee has voted to weaken key environmental proposals made by the European Commission while agreeing to reduce subsidies to big farms. These and other proposals will be considered by the full Parliament in March.
Luck of the Irish: Big CAP decisions on hold until 2013
Battles over financing and revamping Europe’s agricultural policy are almost certain to push implementation of the future programme beyond next year’s deadline, government and industry officials say.
Green farming agenda faces EU budget axe
SPECIAL REPORT / Some EU national governments and lawmakers are pushing to weaken proposals intended to create natural defences against pesticides and fertilisers in crop fields. But they should reconsider their opposition to buffer strips and other natural areas, green advocates say.No more blank cheques for agriculture
The next phase of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) looks likely to be the continuation of the blank cheques of long-standing agriculture subsidies, an outcome that will be completely incomprehensible to the public, argue six European conservation, farm and rural groups.
Food waste, greening diets become EU policy goals
SPECIAL REPORT / The European Commission wants to help consumers cut food waste by making 'best before' and 'use by' dates clearer on the packaging. But measures to green up our diets will not stop here, with policymakers' attention turning to the entire food chain.
Green groups decry ‘depressing’ EU farm reform deal
Conservation groups have condemned a move by European agricultural ministers to tone down some of the most controversial environmental proposals in the next phase of the EU's farm support programme.
Farming sector aims to clean up its carbon act
Use of fertiliser usage and other modern agricultural practices can help to reduce greenhouse gases and ensure food security, argued business representatives and experts at a conference yesterday (12 February).