What’s going on with the new EU and US trade plans? Will it be TTIP on steroids? Is it to be zero tariffs, a bonfire of the regulations, or is it all much ado about nothing? […]
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) passed a ruling deeming organisms acquired by gene editing are subject to the same regulations as other GMOs. […]
Living Labs are to bridge the gap between academia and ‘real-world’ practice. They are meant to provide space for exchanges, and to facilitate the creative cooperation between a diverse group of actors seeking solutions to the challenges of a particular locality, solutions “that work”. […]
Despite mounting concern about antibiotic resistance globally, parts of the UK agricultural industry remain opposed to further restriction. Could the antibiotic overuse be addressed by policymakers actively incorporating traditional good husbandry knowledge of farmers into best practice management plans? […]
A new report by IATP and GRAIN out this week highlights the devastating impact of the meat and dairy giants on the environment. If GHG emissions from this sector continue as predicted, the Paris Agreement goals are firmly out of reach. […]
What do the most effective rural development policies look like? What role might risk management play in that? We speak to Christian Rehmer (BUND, Friends of the Earth Germany), Aurélie Catallo (Pour Une Autre PAC), Ulrich Jaspers, AbL and Die Verbände-Plattform and Ariel Brunner and Harriet Bradley (BirdLife). […]
As the CAPSELLA project comes to an end, Helene Schulze reflects on her visit to the closing conference in Milan and what it means to have an open-data mindset. How can technology further agroecology? How can we ensure that this technology does not reinforce existing inequalities in the food system? […]
Disappointed at the inability of their respective agriculture ministers to produce a joint statement on the future of CAP, an alliance of French and German organisations has stepped in. Addressing their ministers, here are their propositions for the upcoming reform. […]
North west Europe is not known for its soaring temperatures. Yet, this summer, even Ireland has seen a prolonged drought, with almost no rain for weeks, a similar forecast for the weeks ahead, and temperatures reaching 30 degrees in this more typically temperate place. How are horticulturalists on the yellow-singed emerald isle coping? […]
Natalia Mamonova examines Ukrainian peasants’ responses to land grabs and agribusiness expansion. It discusses the post-Soviet context, forms of incorporation of the rural population in land deals, the lack of rural protests and mobilization, and the prospects for small-scale agriculture in the country. […]
The Environment committee in the European Parliament has been given a greater say in the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This includes the right to bring “amendments” (proposals) direct to the Plenary of the European parliament. […]
In part 2 of our re:CAP series we return to Christian Rehmer (BUND, Friends of the Earth Germany), Aurélie Catallo (Pour Une Autre PAC), Ulrich Jaspers (AbL and Die Verbände-Plattform) and Ariel Brunner and Harriet Bradley (BirdLife) to talk capping. What should be the level for capping and redistribution and what should be the criteria for that? […]
A recommendation for “Shared Competence” has been made by an arbitration committee in the European Parliament. So what will the decision-makers do later in the week? […]
Greenpeace EU agriculture policy director Marco Contiero with this op-ed tells us that a little-known panel in the European Parliament will rule later this week on a procedural issue that could make or break the EU’s most expensive and arguably most environmentally destructive policy. The leaders of the Parliament’s different political groups will end a bitter row between MEPs over which committees should be given a meaningful role in CAP reform. […]
Here we summarise and provide links to all eight contributions to the soil matters article series. From soil and the city to no till, humus and technical articles from soil scientists, there is much in here to cause wonder, controversy and, it is hoped, greater understanding. […]
Agricultural and Rural Convention