The total area under vines in the EU was 3.2 million hectares (ha) in 2020, equivalent to 2.0 % of the utilised agricultural area (UAA). In 2020, there were 2.2 million vineyard holdings for wine (hereafter termed ‘vineyard holdings’) in the EU, the vast majority of which were very small; 83.3 % had less than 1 ha of vineyards. Spain, […]
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Increased support for EU farmers through rural development funds
The European Commission proposed an exceptional measure funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) to allow Member States to pay a one-off lump sum to farmers and agri-food businesses affected by significant increases in input costs. Such increases in prices, notably for energy, fertiliser and animal feed, are disrupting the agricultural sector and rural communities, […]
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Spain will reiterate the need for the Commission to allow greater flexibility for the fruit and vegetable sector
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, advocated last Wednesday to carry out a constant monitoring of the European market situation in all fields in order to know the effect of the measures adopted to mitigate the effects of the war in Ukraine, in case the adoption of new measures is necessary. On […]
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Apiculture in the European Union
Honeybee colonies are essential for agriculture and the environment. They ensure plant reproduction by pollination, whilst beekeeping contributes to the development of rural areas. Beekeeping is practised in all EU countries and is characterised by diverse production conditions, yields and beekeeping practices. The EU is the second largest honey producer after China, but the […]
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More efficient strategies needed to safeguard and protect the landscape
More efficient state aid and agro-forestry strategies are essential to close the cohesion gap in rural areas. Sustainable and efficient management of agriculture and forestry is essential to safeguard and protect the landscape, keep rural economies alive, fight depopulation and, in this way, combat development disparities. Regional and local leaders call on the European Union […]
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Fisheries: EU and Norway strengthen cooperation for sustainable fishing in the Northeast Arctic
Norway and the EU reached a political understanding in relation to the fisheries in the Northeast Arctic, in ICES subareas 1 and 2. The area concerned includes the waters around the archipelago of Svalbard and the international waters of the Barents Sea. The understanding ensures sustainable fishing in the Northeast Arctic, while also providing certainty […]
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Steps to stop farming practices polluting our drinking water
While agricultural practices are known to compromise the quality of drinking water sources, farmers are reluctant to update their practices. Based on an understanding of farmers’ legitimate fears, FAirWAY introduced measures to better support a step change. As sources of nitrogen for crops, fertilisers and manures can leach into soil, polluting groundwater and surface water. […]
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The UAL and the Junta will create the Germplasm Bank of plant species of Almeria
The University of Almeria and the Andalusian Regional Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, have signed a protocol to collaborate in the implementation of the Germplasm Bank of unique trees and groves of Almeria, some of them thousands of years old. The Rector of the UAL, Carmelo Rodríguez, and the […]
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Videoconference between the Ministers of Agriculture of Southern Europe and FAO
On April 20, Luis Planas took part in a videoconference between the Ministers of Agriculture of Southern Europe – Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain – and representatives of FAO to discuss the risks and solutions to the impact of the Ukrainian invasion on the agri-food systems of Southern Europe and the world as a whole. […]
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