Latest from Brussels Archives - Page 3 of 37 - Agricultural and Rural Convention

Brussels Roundup – Stasis for Animals, Tightrope for new GMOs

December 8, 2023 Natasha Foote

Next week, all eyes are on two key votes which will steer the future direction of the EU’s plans to loosen the rules governing new GMOs (aka new genetic technologies, or NGTs). Meanwhile, the European Commission finally put forward a slimmed down version of its animal welfare ‘package’ and lawmakers decided to exempt cattle from its plans to slash industrial emissions. Natasha Foote brings you up to speed in the latest goings on and the fun to come in Brussels. […]

Dialogue? Coming. A new CAP pillar? Maybe that too.

December 7, 2023 Natasha Foote

The European Commission has announced that it will officially launch its strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture – proposed as a way to bridge the divide in the agrifood sector – in January. Meanwhile the Ag Commissioner already has a big idea – a 3rd Pillar of the CAP. So what’s the scope of this dialogue? And what’s this about a new CAP Pillar? Natasha Foote brings you up to speed with the latest on what we know so far. […]

Seeds of Europe – Centering Small Producers’ Voices in Seed Law Reform

December 5, 2023 Mathieu Willard

On November 28, in collaboration with SEED Luxemburg and the Greens/EFA, the Seeds4All project took part in the organisation of a conference at the European Parliament on the future of seeds. Delving into the heart of the matter, the main aim of the event was to spotlight the specific voices and urgent demands of artisan seed producers in the context of the reform of the European legislative framework applicable to the sale and exchange of seeds. […]

To Regulate Or Not To Regulate – NGTs Remain Highly Controversial

December 4, 2023 Marianne Landzettel

Parliament is leaning towards loosening the rules on New Genetic Technologies. What would change? NGT plants in ‘category 1’ (an estimated 94%) would be considered equivalent to conventionally bred plants. Marianne Landzettel reports on the state of play on both sides of the Atlantic. […]

Landmark EU Nature Restoration Law on the Homestretch

November 29, 2023 Natasha Foote

The European Parliament’s environment committee has given its blessing on the final shape of the EU’s nature restoration law, moving it one step closer to sealing a final deal on the landmark law once and for all. How did we get to here? What happened in the environment committee? And what’s next? Natasha Foote reports. […]

Leak – No Live Export Ban to non-EU Countries in Animal Welfare Overhaul

November 29, 2023 Natasha Foote

The European Commission will not ban the export of live animals to non-EU countries in its forthcoming proposal on the protection of animals during transport, according to a leaked draft, instead opting to double down on reduced journey times and on space allowances. Natasha Foote has the scoop. […]

GMOs & Seed Marketing – False Promise of a Toxic Package

November 28, 2023 Mathieu Willard

A carefully crafted narrative is framing GMOs as an essential ingredient in sustainable food systems. Could a solid reform of the seed marketing legislation provide a more effective and safer response to sustainability commitments? Analysis by Adèle Pautrat and Mathieu Willard. […]

Pesticides Proposal Rejected in Plenary, Next Steps a SUR-prise

November 23, 2023 Natasha Foote

The European Parliament has outright rejected a proposal on the EU’s plan to slash the use and risk of pesticides in half by 2030 after the core of its substance was lost in the voting process – but the Council says it will still continue work on the file. So what does this mean for its future? Natasha Foote reports. […]

Commission to Renew Glyphosate for 10 years after Member States Fail to Reach Qualified Majority

November 16, 2023 Natasha Foote

The European Commission will unilaterally renew the approval of the weedkiller glyphosate for another 10 years after member states failed to find an agreement over the controversial herbicide. Natasha Foote has more. […]

SURge of Amendments to Pesticide Regulation Before Plenary Vote

November 15, 2023 Natasha Foote

Lawmakers in both the European Parliament and the Council are currently hammering out their final positions on the EU’s plan to slash the use and risk of pesticides in half by 2030. So what is going on behind the scenes? ARC’s Natasha Foote gives you an inside glimpse on the current state of negotiations ahead of a definitive Parliament vote next week. […]

Nature Restoration Law Emerges from Trilogue – What’s Changed?

November 10, 2023 ARC

The Nature Restoration Law (NRL) took a massive step forward in the evening of the 9th November, with the conclusion of inter-institutional negotiations. The adopted position, which still has some hurdles to surmount, is certainly less ambitious than the Commission’s initial proposal. While all ecosystems are in, the NRL largely adopts the Council’s flexible position, while some weaking of targets accommodates the Parliament’s position. Oliver Moore has an initial report. […]

EU-Australia Trade Deal Goes Down Under in Osaka – Why?

November 4, 2023 Natasha Foote

After years working towards clinching a free trade deal between Australia and the EU, talks went ‘down under’ on Sunday (29 October) in Osaka after the two sides beefed over market access for agricultural products. So what happened – what’s the beef between these two? – and what does the UK have to do with the dramatic turn of events? Natasha Foote reports […]

Pesticide Regulation Progresses to Plenary Following Environment Committee Vote

October 25, 2023 Ashley Parsons

The Environment Committee in the European Parliament (ENVI) has ensured a core part of the EU Green Deal – the pesticide regulation – progress towards completion. In a vote yesterday (24th October) the SUR – sustainable use of pesticides regulation – saw some changes introduced, but progress maintained. Despite many delays over the regulation since last June, the SUR text will now face a plenary vote by all Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in November. […]

A Frugal Farm to Fork – Update on Pesticides, new GMOs, Animal Welfare & Sustainable Food Systems

October 20, 2023 Natasha Foote

No progress for the Sustainable Food System Law and only the transport aspect of the animal welfare legislation surviving. Some progress is being made to move the SUR – Sustainable Use of Pesticides regulation – on, though member states and the environment committee in the Parliament may be pushing in opposite directions. And somehow, Parliament is finding time to really push hard and fast for new GMO’s. […]

Glyphosate Approval Fails to Get Qualified Majority – What’s Next?

October 13, 2023 Oliver Moore

In a suprise move, EU Member States did not reach a qualified majority for the reapproval of glyphosate at a meeting of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF) today. So what’s next? […]