The Commission has published its Communication “Towards more sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2023” giving an annual review of EU’s fisheries management and outlining priorities ahead for 2023. The figures, as assessed by independent scientific agencies, show that conservation efforts are further bearing fruit and the EU fisheries policy […]
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EU agri-food trade shows strong growth in 2022
The total value of EU agri-food trade was 28.3 billion in February 2022, an 18% increase compared to the same month last year. Exports rose by 11% to 16.6 billion, while imports grew by 30% to reach 11.7 billion, reflecting a trade balance of 4.9 billion. This marks an increase of 52% compared to January […]
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Agriculture and Fisheries Council 24 May – Main results
Solidarity with Ukraine and the market situation, especially following the Russian invasion Ministers were briefed by the Commission on the channels of solidarity between the European union (EU) and Ukraine in order to facilitate the export of Ukrainian agricultural products by land to European and world markets. The aim of this action plan is to overcome the […]
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Spain has the largest area for wine in the EU
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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