Swedish minister anticipates task just half done on pesticide decrease strategy
A typical position amongst the EU farming ministers on the sustainable usage of pesticides guideline (SUR) will not be reached under the Swedish EU presidency, Swedish Agriculture Minister Peter Kullgren informed EURACTIV in an unique interview.
Commission sounds alarm as development stalls on pesticide decrease strategy
An enigma hangs over the sustainable usage of the pesticides guideline (SUR) timeline after a dripped letter revealed farming MEPs are dragging their feet on the essential file, leading Commission authorities to implicate them of intentionally obstructing development. Natasha Foote has the story.
Proposed EU bottom trawling phase-out divides stakeholders
While trying to combine the EU’s ecological aspirations and the financial practicality of its fisheries sector, the steps proposed by the Commission have actually been identified as inadequate by blue NGOs and as ravaging by the market. Paula Andrés brings you all you require to understand.
EU company backs cage-free farming for chickens
The usage of cages, the practice of mutilation and feed limitation need to be prevented for the well-being of farmed broiler chickens and laying hens, according to brand-new clinical viewpoints from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Paula Andrés has all the information.
Commission harmonises guidelines on animal vaccination to take on bird influenza
The European Commission has actually revealed brand-new guidelines to harmonise the vaccination of animals versus the most severe animal illness as part of efforts to resolve the biggest epidemic of bird influenza observed in the EU up until now. Natasha Foote describes more.
Probiotics sector ferments in the middle of push to fine-tune outdated EU structure
Latest advancements on the ‘probiotics’ term legend recommend that the time is ripe for conquering the present regulative structure which, for more than 15 years, has actually impeded the EU probiotics sector from growing along with limiting customer details. Gerardo Fortuna checks out the concern in information.
Commission: Labelling ‘jungle’ discourages customers from purchasing green food
Consumers are eager to choose sustainable food even if they cost more, however are discouraged by an absence of rely on the labels indicated to mark food as green, according to a leading European Commission authorities for justice and customers. Julia Dahm has more.
Germany bets on incorporated bug management for cutting in half pesticide usage
Implementing incorporated bug management (IPM) becomes part of Germany’s tool kit to accomplish the 50% decrease target the EU might embed in its brand-new pesticide legislation. But in practice, lots of obstacles stand in the method. Julia Dahm checks out the concern.
Evolution, not transformation: Integrated bug management pick up speed in Poland
Integrated bug management (IPM) – a technique which utilizes a hierarchy of plant security items to reduce making use of chemical pesticides – is getting appeal in Poland, however manufacturers state modification needs to take place by ‘evolution rather than revolution’. EURACTIV Poland has more.
CAP corner
Agriculture reserve: what is it, what does it do
The farming reserve – formerly the crisis reserve – was activated in 2015 for the very first time ever to support EU farmers after the intrusion of Ukraine – and might be utilized once again this year, according to the European Commission. But what do we actually understand about the farming reserve? In this video explainer, EURACTIV’s Paula Andrés takes a better take a look at this essential emergency situation farming tool.
Agri-bites
GMO authorisations. The European Commission has authorised the use of genetically modified rapeseed and has renewed the authorisation for genetically customized soy, for human and animal intake after the European Food Safety Agency has actually provided a beneficial clinical evaluation. These authorisations will stand for ten years.
Geographical signs reach 3.5k. The Commission approved the addition of ‘Corrèze’ wines from France to the register of secured classifications of origin (PDO), including the 3,500th entry in the register of geographical signs (GIs).
Commission proposes to renew trade advantages for Ukraine for a year. The Commission put forward its proposal to renew the suspension of import responsibilities, quotas and trade defence steps on Ukrainian exports to the EU for another year on Thursday (23 February). However, in a declaration, the Commission said it was ‘mindful’ of EU market issues. Neighbouring nations have actually consistently raised the alarm after an increase of Ukrainian farming items onto the EU market. As such, and thinking about the considerable boost in imports of some farming items from Ukraine to the EU in 2022, the Commission advanced an accelerated protect system in its renewed proposition to secure the EU market if needed.
SCA conference. Despite the reality the February conference of EU farming ministers was cancelled, the preparatory conference – the unique committee on farming (SCA) – still proceeded. According to sources inside the closed conference, delegates talked about the proposed modification of the legislation on geographical signs, to name a few subjects, raising issues over the possible function of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in handling applications for GIs. Discussions likewise occurred on the suggested guideline on the labelling of natural animal food and opportunities in the bioeconomy. The next SCA conferences are scheduled for 6 and 13 March and will concentrate on getting ready for the March AGRIFISH Council, specifically on the marketplace scenario and agri-trade concerns, along with the nature remediation law.
Veterinary drug residues in food decrease. Residues of veterinary drugs and other compounds discovered in animals and animal-derived food continue to decrease in the European Union and compliance levels are on the increase, according to the latest information from the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA). The report covers different compound groups consisting of hormonal agents, antibacterials, ecological pollutants, forbade compounds and other veterinary drugs. Learn more.
Agrifood news from the CAPitals
GERMANY
First actions towards more natural farming. Germany’s farming ministry is promoting more natural food in canteens and dining establishments in an initial step towards accomplishing the union’s 2030 objective of guaranteeing 30% of arable land is devoted to natural farming. Read more. (Julia Dahm I EURACTIV.de)
Water limitation determines revealed for March. In the face of an extraordinary winter season dry spell, France’s minister for the Green shift, Christophe Béchu, has actually revealed a “water plan” which contains water utilize constraints for the month of March. However, Béchu guaranteed that farmers need to still have the ability to water their crops. Find out more from EURACTIV France. (Hugo Struna I EURACTIV.fr)
AUSTRIA
Austria identified to safeguard organics leading area. The Austrian federal government is identified to guarantee that the nation continues to be the one with the greatest share of natural farming in the EU, according to farming minister Norbert Totschnig. “Organic agriculture in Austria is a real success story,” he said throughout a public speech. “We are organics country number one in the EU and our goal is to keep it that way,” he included. Among other things, the ministry goes for 35% of arable land to be farmed naturally by 2030 – a considerably greater target than the EU-wide among 25%. (Julia Dahm I EURACTIV.de)
Government releases strategy to avoid citrus illness. The Spanish federal government has actually developed a nationwide strategy to avoid an illness referred to as “citrus greening,” thought about among the most severe and disastrous illness that can impact citrus fruits. The strategy, which participated in force on Wednesday (22. February) is set to pre-empt any look of the illness, which is not presently distributing in Spain, according to the farming ministry. EURACTIV’s partner EFE Agro has more.
Rice sector opposes brand-new fungicide limitation from 3rd nations. The Italian rice sector is up in arms over the European Commission’s strategy to raise the limitations for the fungicide tricyclazole, which is allowed rice imported from non-EU nations. Last January, EFSA proposed raising the optimum recurring limitation from the present 0.01mg/kg to 0.09 mg/kg which can now be authorized by member states and the EU executive. For Coldiretti, among the primary Italian farmers’ associations, such a boost would be freely at chances with the concept of reciprocity as, in Europe, making use of the fungicide is prohibited in the EU considering that 2016. (Gerardo Fortuna | EURACTIV.com)
UK
Food scarcities trigger allocating in significant UK grocery stores. Three of the UK’s biggest grocery store chains have actually presented limitations for buyers on numerous fresh fruit and vegetables lines, consisting of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, as they attempt to avoid spaces appearing on racks, according to reporting from the Guardian. The scarcities are being blamed on bad climate condition, both in the UK and in essential agri-trade partners. However, other professionals have actually blamed towards issues arising from the UK’s departure from the EU. (Natasha Foote | EURACTIV.com)
LUXEMBOURG
Luxembourg records bird influenza case. A case of bird influenza was discovered in an excellent egret in the north of the nation, the Luxembourgish farming ministry verified at the end of recently. The report follows a variety of cases were already discovered both in wild and farmed birds in the nation throughout the previous month. The ministry took the celebration to advise farmers to carry out all suggested security steps and report any suspicions of fresh cases to the authorities. (Julia Dahm I EURACTIV.de)
Events
28 February | Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
28 February | The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation – The role of closed loop circularity
28 February | Roundtable on animal transportation in the European Parliament
1-2 March | ENVI Committee meeting, consisting of disputes on the future of the REACH guideline and the sustainable usage of pesticides guideline.
[Edited by Alice Taylor]
