Agriculture in the EU

Latest Agriculture news from the European Union.

New strategy to prepare EU for impact of climate change

The European Commission adopted Wednesday a new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, setting out a pathway to prepare for the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

Brussels consults on new EU Soil Strategy

The EU Commission launched a public consultation on a new EU soil strategy Tuesday, the last of a set of consultations on different ecosystems which forms part of the EU's biodiversity strategy.

Wine and food boost for EU-Japan trade deal on 2nd anniversary

The EU hailed the success of the EU-Japan trade deal on its second anniversary Monday, as it agreed a number of improvements to the agreement in the area of protected foods, wine and vehicle trade.

Cumulative economic impact of trade agreements on EU agriculture

The EU trade agenda is set to have an overall positive impact on the EU economy and the agri-food sector, according to a new study published today. Trade agreements are due to result in substantial increases in EU agri-food exports, with more limited increases in imports, creating a positive trade balance overall. The study also confirms that the EU's approach to grant a limited amount of lower duty imports (through tariff rate quotas) is the best approach in terms of protecting specific vulnerable agri-food sectors in the EU.

Brussels sets out recommendations for sustainable farming

The EU Commission published recommendations Friday for each EU Member State to assist in the drafting of their Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) strategic plans, accompanied by a Communication.

Eco-schemes feature in EU's greener common farm policy

Farmers will be afforded flexibility on the way to higher environmental standards in farming in the post-2020 common agricultural policy reform package agreed provisionally by EU ministers Wednesday.

'Farm to fork' strategy commits EU to sustainable agri-food sector

The EU Council adopted Monday a set of conclusions on a 'farm to fork' strategy, endorsing the goal of developing a European sustainable food system, from production to consumption.

EU Methane Strategy

The European Commission presented on 14 October an EU strategy to reduce methane emissions.

EU signs geographical indications deal with China

The EU and China signed a bilateral agreement Monday to protect 100 European Geographical Indications in China and 100 Chinese GIs in the European Union against usurpation and imitation.

EU extends current CAP rules until end 2022

EU farm ministers reached provisional agreement with the European Parliament Wednesday on continuing farming support under the current legal framework until the new CAP enters into force end 2022.

CAP not halting biodiversity loss in farming: EU auditors

The common agricultural policy has not been effective in reversing a decades-long decline in biodiversity and intensive farming remains a main cause of biodiversity loss, an EU auditors report said Friday.

EU budget: the Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy

To help repair the economic and social damage brought by the coronavirus pandemic, kick-start European recovery, and protect and create jobs, the European Commission presented on 27 May 2020 a major recovery plan for Europe based on harnessing the full potential of the EU budget. This proposal includes a new recovery instrument, Next Generation EU, within a revamped long-term EU budget. In this context, the Commission is proposing to reinforce the funds available to support farmers and rural areas as well as the fisheries sector in recovering and delivering the European Green Deal and in particular the new Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies.

EU unveils green makeover for food and farming

The European Commission took steps towards sustainable biodiversity, food and farming policies Wednesday, as it published its long-awaited 'farm to fork' policy roadmaps for the next 10 years.

Euro-MPs give green light to increased water reuse

With a view to preventing water shortages in the EU, Euro-MPs approved Wednesday the Water Reuse Regulation, which defines for the first time minimum requirements at European level for reclaimed water.

More support for Europe's agricultural and food sectors

The European Commission published Monday its latest package of exceptional measures to support the agricultural and food sectors which are being most affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Further support measures for agricultural and food sectors

The European Commission published on 4 May its latest package of exceptional measures to support the agricultural and food sectors most affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Coronavirus: new measures to help EU farmers

A new set of measures to help EU farmers affected by the coronavirus pandemic, announced Wednesday by the Commission, aims to stabilise markets and provide stability to future prices and production.

EU action on pesticides has made limited progress: auditors

The EU offers few incentives for farmers to reduce their dependency to pesticides, and has been unable to substantially reduce and control risks associated to pesticides use by farmers, says a new report.

Euro-MPs call for reduction in pesticides to protect bees

Further reducing use of pesticides, more funds for research and better monitoring are urgently needed to save the EU’s bees, according to the European Parliament's Environment Committee Tuesday.

EU provisionally agrees requirements for water reuse

EU institutions provisionally agreed requirements for water reuse in farming Tuesday, setting out minimum water quality requirements for the safe reuse of treated urban wastewaters in agricultural irrigation.

EUR 200m to promote European food products

The EU is to allocate over EUR 200 million in order to fund promotional activities for EU agri-food products, such as cheeses and wines, at home and abroad, the European Commission announced on Tuesday.

Wine market observatory

The EU's wine market observatory brings short-term analysis and greater transparency to an important sector for EU agriculture. The EU is the biggest wine producer in the world, representing 65% of global production and 70% of exports. The observatory covers all types of wine - red, white, rosé - as well as wines protected under the geographical indication schemes: protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI).

MEPs block watering down of measures to protect bees

The European Parliament sent an EU regulation to protect bees from harmful pesticides back to the drawing board Wednesday, when MEPs blocked a move by EU Member States to water down the legislation.

No patents on naturally obtained plants and seeds, say MEPs

Fruit, vegetables or animals obtained from conventional breeding processes, such as crossing, must not become patentable, the European Parliament said in a non-legislative resolution on Thursday.

EU food agency consults on cumulative risk of pesticides

The European Food Safety Authority, the EU's food agency, opened a public consultation Tuesday on its pilot assessments of the risks posed to humans by residues of multiple pesticides in food.