This follows the Commission’s proposal presented on 31 January, and discussions with Member States in committee meetings. The Regulation enters into force today, 14 February, and will apply retroactively from 1 January for one year, i.e. until 31 December 2024. The partial exemption accommodates several requests for more flexibility, as requested by Member States to better […]
Read More
New plant breeding techniques to boost resilience of food system
The EU wants to increase the sustainability of its food supply and reduce the need for pesticides with new rules on plant breeding techniques. Plant breeding is an ancient practice used to create new plant varieties from existing varieties to obtain qualities such as higher yields, enhanced nutrition or better resistance to disease. Nowadays, thanks […]
Read More
Commission proposes to allow EU farmers to derogate for one year from certain agricultural rules
The European Commission proposes to allow EU farmers to avail of derogations for the year 2024 from Common Agricultural Policy rules obliging them to keep certain areas non-productive. The Commission’s proposal, sent today to Member States who will vote on it in a committee meeting, provides a first concrete policy response to address farmers’ income […]
Read More
President von der Leyen launches Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has launched the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture, a new forum mandated to shape a shared vision for the future of the EU’s farming and food system. The Strategic Dialogue, announced by the President in her 2023 State of the Union address, will address challenges and […]
Read More
Commission adopts guidelines on how to formulate sustainability agreements in agriculture
The European Commission adopted Guidelines on how to design sustainability agreements in the field of agriculture (‘Guidelines’) using a novel exclusion from EU competition rules introduced by the recently reformed Common Agricultural Policy (‘CAP’). The new Guidelines Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’) generally prohibits agreements between companies that […]
Read More
EU Commission to spend €186 million promoting agri-food products in and outside EU in 2024
The European Commission will allocate €185.9 million in 2024 to fund promotion activities for sustainable and high-quality EU agri-food products at home and abroad. The 2024 promotion policy work programme adopted by the Commission aims to develop new market opportunities, while taking into account the political priorities, analysis of projected exports to existing and emerging […]
Read More
EU and Neighbourhood countries commit to enhanced fisheries management control in the Mediterranean and Black Sea
Among the main measures, the EU and neighbouring countries agreed within the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) to launch new tools to keep track of the activities of all fleets fishing in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas and sharing the various multiannual management plans (MAPs). The new mechanism will follow up on cases of non-compliance through appropriate and […]
Read More
Thriving rural areas are key to the future of the EU
Logroño declaration calls to consider the needs of rural areas in all EU policies and to earmark EU funds for projects in rural areas. Europe’s local and regional leaders have warned that the EU’s long-term sustainable development cannot be achieved without strong and sustainable rural areas and the complete integration of rural communities into the […]
Read More
EFSA recommends increased protection of farms from wild birds
While the situation in poultry has eased over the summer, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus continued to affect seabirds in Europe, mostly along coastlines. As the autumn migratory season starts, the protection of poultry and other farmed animals from wild birds should be prioritised. Biosecurity should be enhanced in fur animal farms. Between 24 June and […]
Read More