The Commission has presented five legislative proposals to modernise EU rules on maritime safety and prevent water pollution from ships. With 75% of the EU’s external trade being seaborne, maritime transport is not only the artery of a globalised economy, but also a lifeline for the EU’s islands, peripheral and remote maritime regions. Although maritime […]
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Deal on new rules to combat overfishing
The Council has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on updated rules to help prevent overfishing. The revision of the fisheries control system modernises the way fishing activities are controlled to ensure that EU vessels and those fishing in EU waters follow the rules set out in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The agreement updates […]
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EU agriculture ministers discuss food safety and waste aspects of packaging rules
Agriculture Food packaging Based on information from the presidency and the Commission, ministers exchanged views on the food safety and food waste aspects of the proposed regulation on packaging and packaging waste, which aims to reduce the amount of packaging waste generated in the EU while also maintaining a high level of food safety. With […]
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European Blue Economy report 2023: economic crisis takes a toll but doesn’t stop the growth
The European Blue Economy report is a compass to help decision-makers and stakeholders navigate the waters of the European blue economy. The 2023 edition of the report highlights the evolution of the blue economy sectors since 2010. It shows that despite the negative impact of the COVID19 pandemic and the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, most […]
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Agreement on fisheries subsidies to boost environmental sustainability
On 25 May 2023, the Council adopted a decision approving, on behalf of the EU, the conclusion of a World Trade Organization (WTO) protocol establishing a fisheries subsidies agreement. The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is the first WTO agreement that focuses on environmental sustainability, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.6 (UN SDG). It […]
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Council adopts new rules to cut deforestation worldwide
The Council gave the final go-ahead to a regulation that aims to minimise the risk of deforestation and forest degradation associated with products that are placed on or exported from the EU market. The EU is a large consumer and trader of commodities and products that play a substantial part in deforestation. The new rules […]
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EU agricultural trade to reach €424.7 billion in 2022
In 2022, the value of trade (imports plus exports) of agricultural products between the EU and the rest of the world reached €424.7 billion, €77.5 billion more than in 2021 (€347.2 billion). The EU exported €229.1 billion worth of agricultural products and imported €195.6 billion, generating a surplus of €33.5 billion. Between 2002 and 2022, EU trade in agricultural products […]
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EU must do more to reduce impact of chemical pesticides
Pesticide use is a major cause of pollution since it contaminates the air, soil, and water, destroys biodiversity, and breeds pest resistance. Chemical pesticide exposure in humans has been related to chronic conditions like cancer, heart, respiratory, and neurological problems. The most recent research on the effects of chemical pesticides on human health and ecosystems […]
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European Parliament calls for EU food independence
The EU needs a plan to ensure food security, calls the Agriculture Committee in a new report adopted on Tuesday. In the draft resolution on “Ensuring food security and long term resilience of the EU agriculture”, adopted by the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on Tuesday by 39 votes to 8 and 0 abstentions, […]
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