Agrifood

Algeria bars France from wheat import tender as relations sour
Est. 3minAlgeria is one of the world's biggest wheat buyers and for many years France was by far its largest supplier. Now it's Russia.

Bulgarian farmers to receive €100 million in state subsidies after protest threat
Est. 2minThe Bulgarian government will give €100 million in state subsidies to local farmers who have threatened new protests over imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, the government announced on Monday.

Organic food traders shaken by ruling challenging equivalence of standards
Est. 2minThe decision by the EU's top court could have "far-reaching consequences", say traders of organic products

Top deforestation drivers could dodge ‘high risk’ tag under EU benchmarking
Est. 3minRecently published documents show that major deforestation drivers may avoid being labelled 'high risk' by the EU, as the Commission will instead focus on countries sanctioned by the UN Security Council or the EU.

Fishing suspension in Bay of Biscay sparks criticism by the European fishermen
Est. 4minThe European Commission proposed a one month suspension of fishing in the area to avoid accidental catches of cetaceans, but fishermen worry of the socio-economic consequences.

Delay in EU anti-deforestation enforcement leaves little time to make changes
Est. 4minThe proposed extension of the transition period for the EU's anti-deforestation rules has many worried that reopening the file could end up weakening some of its provisions.

Towards a sustainable, resilient and innovative EU food system
Est. 6minEU Specialty Food Ingredients, the voice of over 200 manufacturers of specialty food ingredients, calls upon the European Commission Presidency to clearly define its ambitions within the forthcoming "Vision for Agriculture and Food" publication.

European Algae Biomass president sees expansion of algae products in daily life, calls for improved EU algae market
Est. 6minDriven by a vision to advance Europe’s algae sector, Carlos Unamunzaga, President of the European Algae Biomass Association, spoke with Euractiv’s Fiona Alston about his plans to raise the profile of algae in the public eye.

National agricultural plans miss EU environmental targets, say European auditors
Est. 4minThe Common Agricultural Policy implementation at member state level is not in line with the EU's green objectives, according to a report by the European Court of Auditors.

Ciao, Bruxelles! EU farming policy speaks a little more Italian
Est. 6minMassimiliano Giansanti has been elected president of Copa, the influential EU umbrella organisation for farmers' unions, cementing Italians' presence in key positions of the EU agricultural bubble.

EU farm subsidies inflate aromatic herb crops in southern France
Est. 3minDeclarations for organic coriander cultivation have boomed this year in Occitanie, as farmers benefit from generous aid for conversion to bio cultivation of aromatic herbs, amid growing criticism in the sector against "misappropriation" of funds.

Europe’s algae market expanding, driven by product innovation, climate potential
Est. 1minWith new product approvals in place and fierce competition from foreign markets, the European algae market is hotting up, driven by its climate-cooling potential. The global algae products market size is estimated to surpass €8.2 billion by 2033.
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Algae biomass market booming on climate cooling potential
Est. 5minDriven by its potential to help cool the climate crisis, the algae biomass sector is accelerating across the EU. With new product approvals in place, and fierce competition from foreign markets, the algae market is hotting up.

Tensions rise between the EU and Norway over fishing quotas
Est. 4minMember States and the European fishing industry are criticising Norway for unilaterally appropriating excessive quotas for certain fish species, and are calling on the Commission to take trade sanctions to protect the European market.

EU countries support proposal to lower wolves’ protection status
Est. 5minA majority of EU ambassadors backed a European Commission proposal on Wednesday (25 September) to lower the protection status of wolves in Europe. This marks a crucial first step towards amending the current rules under the Bern Convention.

Ministers call for delay in pesticide tracking obligations to ease burden on farmers
Est. 3minIn a fresh effort to slash red-tape for farmers, at least 17 EU agriculture ministers, led by Poland, want to delay new obligations to electronically track pesticide use.

EU deforestation law in doubt as Germany pushes for postponement
Est. 6minCalls for EUDR postponement has created confusion for companies over when, and if, they will have to comply. Lawmakers clashed this month over whether to stick with rigid enforcement of the EU’s new Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR).

EU must step up support for organic market, EU auditors say
Est. 4minThe European Union will miss its target of 25% organic farmland by 2030 because of weak support for the sector, the European Court of Auditors said in a report published on Organic Farming Day on Monday (23 September).

EU Commission challenges China dairy probe at WTO
Est. 3minIn an unprecedented move on Monday (23 September), the European Commission has launched consultations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against an ongoing investigation by the Beijing authorities into the compatibility of EU subsidies with global trade rules.

Commission juggles Mercosur deal, anti-deforestation rules, and farmers’ anger
Est. 6minEU trade enthusiasts may be disheartened to see trade lumped into the already extensive portfolio of Slovakia's nominee, Maroš Šefčovič— one of its longest-serving commissioners.

Bluetongue virus reaches Sweden, Norway amid a surge of outbreaks
Est. 3minAfter spreading rapidly across central Europe over the last few months, several cases of bluetongue virus (BTV) have been reported in Sweden and Norway, the first instances that far north in over a decade.

Our life with specialty food ingredients
Can you imagine a world without variety in food and grocery? Without specialty food ingredients, countless products would lose their characteristic colours, textures, flavours or nutritional value.

Von der Leyen to propose solution on EU anti-deforestation rules, according to EPP agriculture chief
Est. 4minEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will propose either delaying the enforcement of the new deforestation regulation or finding an alternative solution to prevent it from taking effect on 30 December, she told colleagues at a European People’s Party (EPP) meeting this week.

Centre-right and socialists clash over EU deforestation law enforcement
Est. 3minThe centre-right and the socialists in the European Parliament are at loggerheads over how to enforce the EU’s anti-deforestation law (EUDR), which will soon require companies to prove that EU-sold products – including foods – were not produced on deforested land.