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Food & Drink in the EU

Latest news on food policies in the European Union.

EU adopts stringent residue limits for pesticides to protect pollinators 08 February 2023, 22:20 CET
The EU continued its battle to address pollinator decline Thursday with new rules on pesticides which will, once applicable, lower the maximum residues levels (MRLs) of two pesticides in food.

Brussels steps up action to save Europe's bees 26 January 2023, 22:27 CET
With one in three bee, butterfly and hoverfly species disappearing in the EU, the EU Commission set out Tuesday a 'new deal for pollinators' to tackle the alarming decline in Europe's wild pollinating insects.

A New Deal for Pollinators - guide 24 January 2023, 16:28 CET
The European Commission presented on 24 January 'A New Deal for Pollinators' to tackle the alarming decline in wild pollinating insects in Europe, revising the 2018 EU Pollinators Initiative.

European drinking water receives upgrade 12 January 2023, 22:35 CET
Europeans are assured of improved quality and access to drinking water as of Thursday, when new requirements from the revised Drinking Water Directive became the norm across the EU.

EU member states need to step up fight against illegal fishing: auditors 27 September 2022, 22:31 CET
Measures to keep illegal fishing in check are not as effective as they should be, the EU's auditors said Monday, with illegally fished products stubbornly ending up on customers' plates.

New EU rules to allow use of recycled plastics in food packaging 15 September 2022, 23:19 CET
The EU Commission adopted new rules Thursday on the safety of recycled plastic materials which set clear rules to ensure that recycled plastic can be safely used in food packaging in the EU.

Almost half of the EU + UK territory at risk of drought 19 July 2022, 23:17 CET
A staggering portion of Europe - (44% of EU+UK) and alert (9% of EU+UK) -is currently exposed to warning drought levels, an assessment of Europe’s drought situation reported on Tuesday.

Brussels confirms raids in online food delivery sector 06 July 2022, 22:51 CET
The Commission carried out unannounced inspections Wednesday at the premises of companies in online ordering and delivery of food, groceries and other goods in two EU Member States.

EU moves to halve use of pesticides by 2030 23 June 2022, 23:46 CET
The EU will reduce the use of pesticides by 50 per cent by 2030 under proposals announced Wednesday by the European Commission to restore damaged ecosystems and bring nature back across Europe.

New rules to reduce the risk and use of pesticides in the EU - guide 22 June 2022, 22:56 CET
The European Commission proposed on 22 June to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030.

EU to restrict use of harmful Sulfoxaflor pesticide for pollinators 07 April 2022, 23:57 CET
The EU is set to adopt, in the coming weeks, legislation to restrict the use of Sulfoxaflor, a pesticide which can have adverse impacts on wild bees, to indoor use only, the EU Commission announced Thursday.

EU Pesticides Database 07 April 2022, 23:55 CET
The EU Pesticides Database allows users to search for information on active substances used in plant protection products, Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in food products, and emergency authorisations of plant protection products in Member States. The EU Pesticides Database provides details of authorisations granted by Member States, and as entered in the Plant Protection Products Application Management System (PPPAMS). Member States are fully responsible for the granting emergency authorisations.

EU outlines plans to enhance food security 23 March 2022, 22:56 CET
In the light of the war in Ukraine, the EU Commission presented plans Wednesday to combat rising food prices with actions to enhance global food security and to support farmers and consumers in the EU.

House cricket makes it to list of EU novel foods 15 February 2022, 23:07 CET
The house cricket received EU authorisation as a novel food Friday, becoming the third insect approved for consumption by European gourmets, following the dried yellow mealworm and migratory locust.

Union list of novel foods 11 February 2022, 16:18 CET
The Implementing Regulation establishing the list of novel foods compiles all the authorised novel foods in the European Union to date. It includes their conditions of use, labelling requirements, and their specifications. Novel Food is defined as food that had not been consumed to a significant degree by humans in the EU before 15 May 1997, when the first Regulation on novel food came into force. 'Novel Food' can be newly developed, innovative food, food produced using new technologies and production processes, as well as food which is or has been traditionally eaten outside of the EU.

MEPs back plans for healthier and more sustainable food 23 October 2021, 23:23 CET
MEPs presented plans Wednesday for a revamp of the EU's food systems to produce healthier food, ensure food security, a fair income for farmers and reduce agriculture's environmental footprint.

Wine, fruit, veg sectors to receive additional EU aid 07 October 2021, 18:31 CET
Support measures for the wine sector adopted by the EU Wednesday include increasing support for harvest insurance and mutual funds, and extending by a year the flexibility measures already in place.

Fruit and vegetables market observatory 06 October 2021, 17:56 CET
The aim of the EU fruit and vegetables market observatory is to provide the EU fruit and vegetables sector with more transparency by means of disseminating market data and short-term analysis in a timely manner. The market observatory has an expert group, which is divided in four subgroups on pip fruit, citrus fruit, stone fruit and tomatoes.

Commission acts against 12 EU states over unfair trading practices 05 August 2021, 22:08 CET
The European Commission opened infringement procedures Tuesday against 12 Member States for failing to transpose EU rules banning unfair trading practices in the agri-food sector.

EU code to promote sustainable food system 07 July 2021, 17:44 CET
65 companies and associations signed a new EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business Monday, with a view to increasing the availability and affordability of healthy and sustainable food options.

EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices 06 July 2021, 00:19 CET
The European Commission, alongside industry stakeholders, officially launched the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices on 5 July. The Code is an essential part of the EU's efforts to increase the availability and affordability of healthy and sustainable food options that help reduce our overall environmental footprint.

EU looks to phase out cages for farm animals 06 July 2021, 00:31 CET
The EU Commission responded positively Wednesday to a European citizens' petition to 'End the Cage Age' with plans for a legislative proposal by 2023 to prohibit cages for a number of farm animals.

Proposal to phase out cages for farm animals 01 July 2021, 23:34 CET
The European Commission decided on 30 June to positively respond to the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) 'End the Cage Age'. In its reply, the Commission set out plans for a legislative proposal by 2023 to prohibit cages for a number of farm animals.

EU institutions strike provisional deal for reform of the CAP 25 June 2021, 18:08 CET
Negotiators from the European Parliament and the EU Council reached an informal political agreement Friday on three EU laws that will govern EU farm policy and the CAP for the years 2023 to 2027.

Actions to boost organic production - guide 25 March 2021, 22:08 CET
The European Commission presented on 25 March an Action Plan for the development of organic production. Its overall aim is to boost the production and consumption of organic products, to reach 25% of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030, as well as to increase organic aquaculture significantly.