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Food supply chain: EU targets unfair trading practices by EUbusiness — last modified 12 April 2018, 18:43 CET

The Commission is targeting the most damaging unfair trade practices to grant farmers and small and medium sized businesses greater certainty and less need to manage risks over which they have little or no control.

The Future of Food and Farming - Commission Communication by EUbusiness — last modified 29 November 2017, 17:53 CET

The European Commission released on 29 November 2017 a Communication on 'The Future of Food and Farming', outlining the ways to ensure that the oldest EU common policy remains future-proof.

New EU rules on organic farming by EUbusiness — last modified 21 November 2017, 23:53 CET

The EU Council endorsed on 20 November 2017 the co-legislators' agreement on the new rules on organic production and looks forward to the final steps leading to the adoption of the new Regulation. Once adopted, the new rules will enter into force on 1 January 2021. This will give enough time for producers, operators and trade partners to adapt to the new framework.

EU countries should use pesticides more sustainably: report by EUbusiness — last modified 13 October 2017, 12:12 CET

A report on the sustainable use of pesticides Directive adopted on 10 October 2017 by the European Commission takes stock of progress made by the EU Member States in applying measures to reduce the risks and impacts of pesticides. It covers a wide range of topics such as aerial spraying, information to the public or training of professionals. The report indicates insufficient implementation of the Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides.

End of sugar production quotas in the EU by EUbusiness — last modified 29 September 2017, 17:39 CET

The very last agricultural quota system in place, managing sugar production in the European Union, is to be scrapped on 30 September 2017, after nearly 50 years.

Endocrine disruptors by EUbusiness — last modified 07 July 2017, 00:31 CET

EU Member States representatives voted on 4 July in favour of the European Commission's proposal on scientific criteria to identify endocrine disruptors in the field of plant protection products. This is seen as an important step towards greater protection of citizens from harmful substances.

EU Platform on Animal Welfare by EUbusiness — last modified 07 June 2017, 01:22 CET

The first meeting of the EU Platform on Animal Welfare (the Platform) took place on 6 June 2017. The Platform gathered 75 representatives from stakeholders, NGOs, scientists, Member States, EEA (European Economic Area) countries, international organisations and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). This is the 1st time that all key EU players gathered to exchange experiences and contribute to improving the welfare of animals.

Official Controls Regulation - Enforcement of rules along the agri-food chain in the EU by EUbusiness — last modified 15 March 2017, 17:39 CET

After successful negotiations between the European Parliament and the EU Member States in the Council, the new Official Controls Regulation adopted today will enhance and reinforce the EU system as an international reference for integrated rules covering the entire agri-food chain.

Trade agreements boost for EU agri-food exports by EUbusiness — last modified 27 February 2017, 17:48 CET

Trade agreements have helped to boost EU agricultural exports and have supported jobs in the agri-food sector and other sectors of the economy, according to a new independent study carried out on behalf of the European Commission. Trade agreements with three countries – Mexico, South Korea and Switzerland – were studied in detail.

Operation of the Milk Package - 2nd report by EUbusiness — last modified 24 November 2016, 20:38 CET

The European Commission has published the second report on the operation of the so-called Milk Package, a series of measures launched in 2012 to strengthen the position of European dairy producers in the supply chain.

Mediterranean research partnership to increase food and water sustainability by EUbusiness — last modified 19 October 2016, 23:01 CET

The Commission presented Wednesday a proposal for a Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) with the aim of developing novel solutions for sustainable water management and food production.

Glyphosate factsheet by EUbusiness — last modified 02 June 2016, 01:20 CET

The Commission has called for a 'limited extension' of the current authorisation of glyphosate, an active substance used for the production of pesticides, until the European Chemical Agency gives its scientific assessment on the substance.

Transmissible animal diseases - rules update by EUbusiness — last modified 10 March 2016, 18:06 CET

The European Parliament gave its endorsement on 8 March to measures to prevent and halt outbreaks of animal diseases such as avian flu or foot and mouth disease, informally agreed by MEPs and the EU Council of Ministers in June 2015. The draft EU law, on diseases that are transmissible among animals, and potentially to humans too, puts fresh emphasis on prevention and should help professionals to keep pace with scientific progress.

EUR 100m European agriculture promotion in 2016 - "Enjoy, it's from Europe" by EUbusiness — last modified 14 October 2015, 22:30 CET

In 2016 European producers will benefit from programmes worth EUR 111 million to find new markets and promote consumption outside and inside the EU. Promotion is a key part of the measures presented by the Commission to support farmers.

Comprehensive package of measures to help European farmers by EUbusiness — last modified 08 September 2015, 18:00 CET

The European Commission presented on 7 September a EUR 500 million comprehensive package of measures to support European farmers.

Extension of safety net measures for dairy, fruit and vegetables by EUbusiness — last modified 30 July 2015, 15:44 CET

Safety net measures for the European dairy, fruit and vegetables sectors will be extended into 2016. The European Commission says it is currently finalising the last details with a view to formally adopting the relevant legal decisions in the coming weeks as a matter of formality.

Transmissible animal diseases: informal deal by EUbusiness — last modified 04 June 2015, 13:39 CET

Measures to prevent and treat animal diseases such as avian flu or African swine fever were informally agreed by MEPs, the EU's Latvian Presidency and the European Commission on1 June. The draft EU law, on diseases that are transmissible among animals and potentially to humans too, will merge and update many scattered items of old legislation, so as to help prevent and halt new outbreaks and keep pace with scientific progress.

Rural Development Programmes boost to EU farming sector by EUbusiness — last modified 27 May 2015, 22:58 CET

The European Commission approved on 26 May a further 24 Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) aimed at improving the competitiveness of the EU farming sector, caring for the countryside and climate, and strengthening the economic and social fabric of rural communities in the period until 2020.

GMOs in the EU - review of decision-making process by EUbusiness — last modified 22 April 2015, 17:31 CET

The European Commission presented on 22 April the outcome of its review of the decision-making process for the authorisation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) as food and feed.

EU Commission policies on GMOs by EUbusiness — last modified 22 April 2015, 16:36 CET

The European Commission presented on 22 April the outcome of its review of the decision-making process for the authorisation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) as food and feed. This review derives from the Political Guidelines presented to the European Parliament in July 2014, on the basis of which this Commission was elected. The Commission says the review confirms the need for changes that reflect public views and allow national governments to have a greater say on the use of EU-authorised GMOs for animal (feed) or human (food) consumption. As a result of this review, the Commission proposes to amend the legislation to confer upon Member States more freedom to restrict, or prohibit the use of EU-authorised GMOs in food or feed on their territory.