About: livestock farming
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.
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.
MEPs save ‘veggie burger’ from denomination ban
The European Parliament has rejected all the amendments to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that would have proposed to ban the use of meat denominations for plant-based foodstuffs, putting the raging battle amongst stakeholders over the past few weeks to rest.
MEPs want Commission to enter the veggie burger fray
European Parliament lawmakers are considering asking the European Commission to step in and help nix any doubts about the terminology used for plant-based meat substitutes, which are gaining in popularity across the EU.
What’s in a name? Row over veg-meat name heats up in Europe
Welcome to EURACTIV's AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU.
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.
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.
Bundesrat postpones controversial vote on caging pigs, again
Germany's Bundesrat has, once again, postponed the controversial vote on caging pigs today (5 June). Animal welfare activists and the Greens are calling for stricter regulations but farmers fear high costs. EURACTIV Germany reports.
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).
Greenpeace proposes 70% meat consumption reduction by 2030
Three burgers a week: that's the maximum amount of meat Europeans should get used to eating, according to NGO Greenpeace, which has been looking at Europe's eating habits. EURACTIV France reports.
EU pressed to address meat reduction, plant-based diet in new food policy
The debate on livestock farming has heated up as a coalition of NGOs urged to EU executive to address the issue of reducing meat consumption in the announced Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy. Meanwhile, a Green MEP has filed a...
Agricultural drones are gradually ‘taking off’ in France
France is experimenting with drones as a means of spraying pesticides so that by 2021 it may launch the practice as it could lead to more precise treatments, as well as a reduction in the use of phytosanitary products. EURACTIV France reports.
EU agriculture chief under pressure over bid to trim intensive pig farming
Janusz Wojciechowski, the EU's agriculture commissioner, wants to crack down on the environmental impact of intensive animal farming, but apart from support from animal welfare groups, his calls have so far met with mixed reactions.
Greens, socialists back meat tax to cover environmental costs of livestock
A new report commissioned by the Dutch True Animal Protein Price Coalition (TAPP) suggests that retail price of meat does not reflect the environmental costs associated with its production, and calls for a “sustainability charge” on meat.
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.