Through a combination of innovative technologies, researchers are empowering Europe’s farmers and making agriculture more efficient and sustainable. Artificial intelligence (AI) has a vast untapped potential in precision agriculture. Aided by remote sensing, Earth Observation (EO) systems, aerial surveys and innovative sensors, precision agriculture can better redistribute and save valuable resources and increase productivity – […]
Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture delivers its final report to President von der Leyen
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen received today the final report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, handed over by the group’s chair, Professor Peter Strohschneider. Entitled “A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe”, the report presents an assessment of challenges and opportunities, followed by a set of recommendations. These suggestions […]
Smart farming applications for more sustainable and efficient agriculture
The EU-funded SQAT project is developing a mapping service to tackle soil quality and sustainability issues in the agricultural industry. There has been a large uptake of precision agriculture applications in the past two decades. However, the way most farmers collect information about their soils remains mostly the same. Better data on soil properties would […]
EU Organic award 2024
The Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production adopted in March 2021 takes the approach that, in order to stimulate organic production, consumer demand for organic products should grow. This requires, amongst other things, increased public awareness of the characteristics and benefits of organic production. For this purpose, the Action Plan includes the launch […]
Commission adopts limited prolongation of State aid crisis tools to further support agriculture and fisheries sectors
The European Commission has adopted an amendment to the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) to prolong by six months certain provisions of the Framework aimed to address persisting market disturbances specifically in the agriculture and fisheries sectors. On 11 April 2024, the Commission consulted Member States on the persistence of a serious disturbance of the economy affecting […]
Council and Parliament reach agreement to simplify and strengthen existing plant protection rules
The Council presidency and European Parliament representatives reached a provisional agreement on a targeted revision of regulation (EU) 2016/2031, also known as the plant health law. This revision aims to improve and streamline the regulation’s application and enforcement. Main elements of the provisional agreement The provisionally agreed text reflects the overall goals of the Commission’s proposal. More […]
EU Agriculutre Ministers approve short-term measures to respond to farmers’ concerns
Against the backdrop of ongoing farmers’ protests and based on information from the Belgian presidency and a non-paper on simplification prepared by the European Commission, agriculture ministers discussed the current crisis and challenges in the sector. The Council confirmed its political will to respond effectively to the concerns of farmers and, as a first step, […]
Study confirms that EU trade opens new commercial opportunities for EU agri-food exporters
A study assessing the potential impact of ten free trade agreements (recently concluded or currently under negotiation) confirms that the EU trade approach opens new commercial opportunities for EU agri-food exporters. Engaging in preferential trade relations diversifies import sources, thus improving the resilience of EU food supply chains. The development of new markets through preferential […]
The European Commission presents options for simplification to reduce the burden for EU farmers
The European Commission sent a paper to the Belgian Presidency outlining first possible actions to help reduce the administrative burden weighing on farmers’ shoulders. The document, which will be discussed with Member States in the agricultural Council of 26 February, lists a range of short- and mid-term actions that can be taken to achieve simplification. […]