Amidst undulating prices and mixed newspaper headlines, 2019 has seen a number of shocks to the globally important but under-scrutinised fertilizer sector. The industry has been hit by what is seen as mismanagement and poor decision making and has emerged as a target for questionable large-scale international practices. These developments have blighted the reputation of…
Representatives from the European Member States in the EU Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCOPAFF) have voted to ban the neurotoxic pesticides chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl from the EU market, a historic move that has been applauded by health and environment groups. Genon K. Jensen, Executive Director of the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL),…
New rules on plant health, designed to stop diseases spreading or jumping borders, will become effective on Saturday. The EU Regulation 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests was steered through the European Parliament by UK member Anthea McIntyre, Conservative MEP for the West Midlands. It became law in December 2016 and is directly applicable…
A European Citizens’ Initiative has been launched to phase out synthetic pesticides by 2035, support farmers, and save bees and nature. If it gathers one million signatures by September 2020, the EU Commission and Parliament must consider turning the campaign’s demands into law. The aim of the ECI is to bring the European Commission to propose…
In the first major vote of the new European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries, its 28 members today (12 November) decided to reopen the floodgates of overfishing in Europe. By 20 votes against 6 (and 2 abstentions), they confirmed the catastrophic position adopted by the former Parliament in April 2019. Among other things, this position reintroduced…
Fisheries, aquaculture and algae cultivation are crucial to increasing sustainable aquatic food production in the EU, promoting food security and creating economic growth and sustainable jobs, says the EESC. It says the potential of the blue bio-economy remains untapped in the EU. The EESC therefore recommends introducing pan-European pilot projects, and based on their results…
TSAI Wenchin is a man with a vision. He is radically rethinking agriculture for the 21st century and inspiring healthier eating habits. He is the founder of the world’s largest vertical farm “YesHealth” Agri-Biotechnology Co. Ltd located to the South of Taipei in Taiwan. His mission is to produce sustainable vegetables that are fresh, nutritious,…
Ahead of the 16-17 December Council meeting on Fisheries, the Commission has adopted its proposal for fishing opportunities in 2020 for 72 stocks in the Atlantic and the North Sea. For 32 stocks the fishing quota is either increased or remains the same; for 40 stocks the quota is reduced. The fishing opportunities, or Total Allowable Catches…
MEPs opposed the EU Commission plans to authorise imports of products containing three glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium-resistant GMOs, in non-binding resolutions on Thursday. On Wednesday evening, MEPs also held a debate with the European Commission on the authorisation process for GMO imports, the shortcomings of which have been regularly pointed out by Parliament. These authorisations…
The European Union and Mercosur have reached a political agreement for an ambitious, balanced and comprehensive trade agreement. The new trade framework – part of a wider Association Agreement between the two regions – will consolidate a strategic political and economic partnership and create significant opportunities for sustainable growth on both sides, while respecting the environment…
