Agriculture in the EU

Latest Agriculture news from the European Union.

EU Member State websites providing information on beneficiaries of CAP payments — 01 May 2010, 15:31 CET

Article 44a of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 lays down that Member States have to ensure the annual ex-post publication of the beneficiaries of the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF), and of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the amounts received per beneficiary under each of these Funds. The purpose of the publication, which should be in accordance with the information held by the paying agencies in their books and records and which should only concern payments received in the preceding financial year, is to enhance transparency regarding the use of the Funds and improve their sound financial management. The information will be published by 30 April each year for the preceding financial year.

Commission authorises Bulgaria to grant limited aid to farmers — 22 April 2010, 01:22 CET

The European Commission authorised a Bulgarian scheme with a budget of BGN 20 million (approximately € 10,26 million) which aims at supporting agricultural holdings.

Commission authorises Austrian scheme for farmers aid — 22 April 2010, 01:22 CET

The European Commission authorised an Austrian scheme with a budget of approximately €1.2 million which aims at supporting farmers in Austria who encounter difficulties as a result of the current economic crisis.

CAP reform must benefit society as a whole, say MEPs — 14 April 2010, 00:00 CET

EU plans to reform the much-maligned Common Agricultural Policy must be shaped with the help and backing of EU citizens, say MEPs, to ensure that the post-2013 CAP benefits society as a whole.

Europeans, Agriculture and the Common Agricultural Policy — 30 March 2010, 23:18 CET

European citizens broadly support the new aims of agricultural policy as conducted at European Union level and a majority are in favour of maintaining its budget. This is one of the main findings of a survey of people's attitudes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Following two similar, recent polls carried out in 2006 and 2007, this latest survey confirms that the guiding principles and aims of the CAP are supported by a majority of people. The survey was carried out between 13 November and 9 December 2009 by TNS Opinion at the behest of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development. Following the traditional Eurobarometer method, a thousand individual interviews were conducted in each of the twenty-seven Member States of the European Union.

EC greenlights aid for UK farmers — 30 March 2010, 23:41 CET

The European Commission has authorised a temporary scheme granting aid of up to EUR 15,000 to British farmers.

Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) — 17 March 2010, 23:34 CET

Communication from the Commission: Banana Accompanying Measures: Supporting the Sustainable Adjustment of the Main ACP Banana-Exporting Countries to New Trade Realities (COM(2010)101)

Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) - briefing — 17 March 2010, 23:32 CET

The European Commission has adopted a €190 million support package for banana exporters from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states. This proposal was part of the historic Geneva Agreement on Trade in Bananas. The EU concluded this deal with Latin American countries and the US in December 2009 which settles 15 years banana disputes. It also cuts the tariff which the EU applies to bananas imported from Latin American countries. Today's measures aim to support ACP banana exporters to adjust to this new trading environment, taking into account each country's specific situation. The measures will focus on three goals: boosting the banana sector's competitiveness, promoting economic diversification and addressing broader social, economic and environmental impacts.

Key facts about bird flu (Avian Influenza) — 16 March 2010, 18:28 CET

The European Commission adopted today a decision confirming the risk areas set up by the Romanian authorities in relation to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a backyard poultry farm located in the commune of Letea, in Tulcea county, at the Danube's delta close to the Ukrainian border.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) - briefing — 02 March 2010, 14:11 CET

The European Commission has announced its intention to come up with a proposal by the summer to allow more choice to Member States in deciding whether to cultivate GMOs. Under the current legal framework, as decided by the Council and the European Parliament, the Commission has adopted two decisions concerning the Genetically Modified Amflora potato: the first authorises the cultivation of Amflora in the EU for industrial use, and the second relates to the use of Amflora's starch by-products as feed. The European Commission also adopted today three decisions on the placing on the market of three GM maize products for food and feed uses but not for cultivation. All five authorisations were subjected to the highest scrutiny, ensuring all concerns regarding the presence of an antibiotic resistance marker gene are fully addressed. The Decision to authorise the cultivation of Amflora is the end of a process which started in Sweden in January 2003 and is based on a considerable volume of sound science.

Provision of public goods through agriculture in the European Union — 26 January 2010, 00:21 CET

This study, financed by the European Commission, was undertaken by the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), UK. The conclusions and opinions presented in this report are those of the consultants and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission. The purpose of this report is to examine the concept of public goods as it applies to agriculture in Europe and to assess the role and importance of CAP measures in encouraging the provision of public goods by agriculture. The evidence draws on a wide range of sources, including scientific literature, evaluation studies, an in-depth analysis of the policy framework, along with detailed information collected from eight regional case studies conducted in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the UK between April and July 2009.

Trade and Imports of Animal Products - personal consignments — 21 January 2010, 13:46 CET

Personal consignments containing meat, milk or their products and brought into the EU continue to present a real threat to animal health throughout the EU. Hence pathogens could be introduced into the EU if personal consignments containing meat, milk or their products are sent by post or carried in the baggage of travellers arriving from countries outside the EU, where such pathogens may be circulating.

Maximum pesticide limits for food products for human consumption and animal feedingstuffs — 07 January 2010, 17:02 CET

All foodstuffs intended for human or animal consumption in the EU are subject to a maximum residue level (MRL) of pesticides in their composition in order to protect animal and human health. The Regulation brings together and harmonises in one text the limits that apply to different human or animal food products and, in addition, it establishes a maximum limit applicable by default.

Plan protection products: prohibited products — 07 January 2010, 17:02 CET

The European Union regulates the placing on the market and use of plant protection products and lists the prohibited active substances.

Markets for agricultural products: Bananas — 16 December 2009, 15:55 CET

The European Union's common organisation of the market in bananas allows the EU market to receive satisfactory supplies of quality bananas at fair prices for producers and consumers and ensure a balance between the various sources of supply.

Sixth Environment Action Programme — 16 December 2009, 00:10 CET

The EU defines the priorities and objectives of European environment policy up to 2010 and beyond and describes the measures to be taken to help implement its sustainable development strategy.

Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets — 08 December 2009, 00:44 CET

The common organisation of agricultural markets in the European Union provides a single legal framework governing the domestic market, trade with third countries and rules regarding competition.

Green Paper on Agricultural Product Quality — 03 December 2009, 16:16 CET

The aim of this consultation is to ensure a strategic and regulatory framework for the protection of agricultural products and to promote their quality. In this respect, the European Commission intends to open a wide discussion on the existing instruments, on how they could be improved and on new initiatives which could be considered. Three areas are being reviewed: farming requirements and marketing standards, existing quality schemes and certification schemes.

Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets — 22 December 2009, 13:06 CET

The common organisation of agricultural markets in the European Union provides a single legal framework governing the domestic market, trade with third countries and rules regarding competition.

Challenges of education and innovation (Berlin, from 13 January 2010, 00:00 CET to 14 January 2010, 00:00 CET) —

A conference on the 'Challenges of education and innovation' will take place on 13 and 14 January 2010 in Berlin, Germany.

Animal welfare labelling: EC report launches in-depth political debate — 28 October 2009, 23:54 CET

The European Commission has adopted a report in which it outlines a series of options for animal welfare labelling, to facilitate an in-depth political debate with the other institutions. The overall goal of policy in this area is to make it easier for consumers to identify and choose welfare-friendly products, and thereby give an economic incentive to producers to improve the welfare of animals. The report also presents options for the possible establishment of a European Network of Reference Centres for the protection and welfare of animals. Such a network, modelled on the existing Community Reference Laboratories for animal health, could provide technical support for the development and implementation of animal welfare policies, including regarding certification and labelling. The document, based on an external study and a broad stakeholder consultation, is the Commission's response to the conclusions of the May 2007 Agriculture Council which called for a report that would allow an in-depth debate on animal welfare labelling. Although the report does not endorse any of the options outlined, it identifies those which are considered to be the most feasible today. Harmonised requirements for voluntary animal welfare claims, for example, constitute one such option to support transparent information to consumers. Another is a voluntary Community Animal Welfare Label open for all to use, provided they meet the criteria.

Special Report: Have the management instruments applied to the market in milk and milk products achieved their main objectives? — 15 October 2009, 15:21 CET

Milk production is of major importance in the European Union’s agricultural economy. More than one million producers supply 148 million tonnes of milk annually with an approximate value of EUR 41,000 million at the farm gate. The milk processing sector (producing mainly cheese, butter and drinking milk) employs around 400 000 people and generates a turnover of EUR 120,000 million. In this Special Report the European Court of Auditors reviews how effectively the European Commission has managed the market for milk and milk products since the introduction of milk quotas in 1984, with reference to the main objectives of EU dairy policy. The Court also highlights the most critical issues to be considered in the progressive deregulation of the milk sector, which was started in 2003.

Policy Coherence for Development — 02 October 2009, 22:28 CET

When exploring ways to accelerate progress towards achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the European Union (EU) considers how non-aid policies can assist developing countries in attaining the MDGs. The EU activity in this field is not only a key political commitment in the context of the MDGs, but also has a firm legal basis in the Treaty establishing the European Community (Article 178).

Agriculture and Fisheries Council — 25 September 2009, 23:04 CET

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council is, together with the General Affairs and External Relations Council and the Ecofin Council, one of the Council's oldest configurations. It brings together once a month the Ministers for Agriculture and Fisheries and the European Commissioners responsible for agriculture and rural development, fisheries and maritime affairs, as well as consumer health and protection.

Change advocated for the European food system — 23 September 2009, 23:05 CET

A new report published by the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Cooperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST) calls for Europe to take a new approach on food security. This new approach should prioritise health and sustainability in research and use a holistic view in policy making.