Agrifood

28-07-2023

CAP tracker: Lessons from the ground

Est. 4min

As the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy is being implemented on the ground, we can start drawing lessons from practical successes and challenges for the future of the bloc’s farm subsidies. Since January 2023, we have seen for the first time how …

29-07-2022

CAP Tracker: From planning to planting

Est. 2min

This year is expected to bring a major agricultural milestone for the next round of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): the adoption of the first CAP national strategic plans. Through these plans, member states will set out an individualised action plan …

30-07-2021

CAP Tracker – Next steps for the national strategic plans

Est. 1min

Welcome to EURACTIV’s CAP tracker, your one-stop shop for all the latest developments on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Be sure to check back here regularly for updates on the next steps for the CAP and how member states are progressing …

31-07-2020

CAP tracker: Mapping the latest movements on EU farming policy

Est. 1min

Welcome to EURACTIV’s CAP tracker, your one-stop shop for all the latest developments on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Be sure to check back here regularly for your weekly update on all things CAP, including the latest movements on the transitional …

25-07-2018

Sowing the seeds of the post-2020 CAP

Est. 1min

In June 2018, the European Commission unveiled its much-awaited plans for the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In light of the Brexit and the emergence of new priorities such as security and immigration, the Commission proposed a 5% cut in CAP …

27-02-2018

What member states say about biofuels in transport

Est. 1min

On 27 February 2018, the first informal trilogue on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources will take place in Brussels. Member states reached a general agreement on the Renewable Energy Directive at the Energy Council on 18 …

23-12-2016

Agricultural innovation: A driver for sustainability?

Est. 1min

As the global population continues to grow, lawmakers are looking for innovation-driven solutions to feed the world while addressing the environmental impact of agriculture.  

16-06-2016

CAP: Still a work in progress

Est. 1min

In June 2013, politicians approved the first major reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in a decade, following months of haggling over quotas, subsidies and measures to improve environmental accountability.

08-08-2014

GMO cultivation in Europe: A decade of legal battles

Est. 1min

The European Union has agreed on a new approach to the cultivation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) which allows member states to ban or restrict GMOs in their territory. The agreement should mark the end of a decade of legal problems, but in the context of ongoing EU-US free trade negotiations, vocal GMO opposition from member states and civil society is unlikely to subside.

[Photo: Shutterstock]

When science meets politics: the EU’s impact assessment review

Est. 1min

The European Commission is reviewing its impact assessment guidelines amid accusations that science is becoming increasingly politicised and scientists manipulated by policymakers and powerful interest groups.

Endocrine disruptors: Harmful or not?

Est. 1min

Rising levels of cancers and fertility problems have attracted scientists’ attention to endocrine disrupting chemicals, with some calling for strict regulation of the substances, in line with the precautionary principle. Others meanwhile, stress the worthiness of those chemicals in everyday products such as plastics and warn that the foundations of science risk being turned upside down if precautionary measures are taken.

04-07-2013

CAP 2014-2020: A long road to reform

Est. 1min

Politicians approved in June 2013 an agreement on the first large reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in a decade, after months of haggling over how ambitious to make the policy on overhauling direct payments, ending quotas, and making farmers more environmentally accountable. The long road to a deal means that many policies will not come into force before 2015.

Energy Efficiency Directive: Completing an energy policy puzzle

Est. 1min

The European Union put down the last piece of the bloc's 2020 climate and energy policy puzzle by adopting an Energy Efficiency Directive. The directive is a game-changer for energy companies, which are now required to achieve 1.5% energy savings every year among their final clients. The EU law is also expected to trigger the largest revamp of Europe's existing building stock to date and set new standards for public procurement and energy audits.

REACH chemical safety review: Re-opening a can of worms?

Est. 1min

Five years after its adoption, the European Commission is preparing to review the controversial REACH regulation, which for the first time required chemical manufacturers to justify that their products are safe for consumers before placing them on the market.

09-09-2011

Fertilisers: Feeding agriculture’s growing needs

Est. 1min

World fertiliser production is expected to soar to keep up with rising food and biofuel output, but this also triggers environmental problems as fertiliser sucks up energy and trigger water and soil pollution.

22-07-2011

Intensive farming: Ecologically sustainable?

Est. 1min

As demand for food rises along with the world's population, policymakers are looking at ways of intensifying crop production while reducing the negative impact of farming on the environment.

Food information for consumers

Est. 1min

The EU is considering strict new food labelling rules to help consumers make healthy choices and tackle obesity, which has become a serious public health concern.

25-11-2009

Global food prices and CAP reform [Archived]

Est. 1min

The debate on the EU's future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is taking place in the aftermath of spectacular world food price increases in 2007-2008 and amid bankruptcy warnings from EU farmers, who are worried about attempts to liberalise global trade in agricultural products.

EU policymaking: Rooted in science?

Est. 1min

European policymakers face a difficult choice when authorising new technologies such as GMOs, as they often find themselves caught between conflicting expert safety advice and calls to respect the precautionary principle when scientific evidence is insufficient.

Competitiveness clusters

Est. 1min

The European Union is seeking to promote clusters of large companies, SMEs, researchers, and other economic actors to help foster innovation, bring together a critical mass of commercial and R&D expertise and get maximum value from investment.

12-03-2009

Europe and global food security [Archived]

Est. 1min

As the world's population approaches ten billion, issues like climate change, growing scarcity of oil and availability of quality land and water are challenging the planet's capacity to produce enough food for everyone - a paradigm shift that could potentially pave the way for a new global 'food crunch'.

04-02-2009

Agriculture: In brief

Est. 1min

EURACTIV presents an overview of the main developments regarding the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): its current priorities, major milestones, key players, hot topics and future priorities.

Energy and climate change: Towards an integrated EU policy

Est. 1min

At a landmark summit in December 2008, EU leaders reached agreement over an energy and climate change 'package' to deliver the bloc's ambitious objectives of slashing greenhouse-gas emissions and boosting renewable energies by 20% by 2020. The package is designed to reduce the Union's dependency on imported fuels and set the pace of "a new global industrial revolution".

Nanotechnology

Est. 1min

Nanotechnology, which concerns the study of and working with matter on an ultra-small scale, is widely perceived as one of the key technologies of the 21st century with a potential to grow into a 1 trillion euro industry within a decade. Fears are growing that the field could develop into a political battleground with fiery debates about environmental and ethical consequences and dangers - just as has happened in the field of biotechnology.