Daily updates on whats new on the ARC website and in the CAP debate
Peter Crosskey has been paying close attention to the Savory Monbiot debate. Here’s his view on holistic management. […]
Everything went well for Commissioner designate Phil Hogan at the European Parliament’s Agricultural Committee on Thursday 2nd October. Instead of being “grilled” the conservative from Ireland could feel at home: With 32 against 10 votes there seems to be comfortable support for his new approach. “Simply simplify everything” in order to increase production, investments, even jobs in European Agriculture was his simple message, and added: “the one thing Simplification is not – is simple!” “Over the coming years,” Hogan said “the abolition of the remaining production constraints, quotas for sugar and dairy, will put EU agriculture in a much better position to respond to market signals and global challenges.” The incoming Commissioner made it sufficiently clear that the “greening and ecological focus area committments of the outgoing Commission” where not his and that he would review direct payments and eventually propose changes already within one years time. “I am aware of concerns about ‘greening’ and ‘ecological focus areas’. And I want to keep a close check on how the system works as we try it out.” […]
Consumer, farm and food groups on both sides of the atlantic are concerned about how TTIP will impact on GM Food standards and rules. […]
The 7th Round, beginning this week, includes Food Safety and Animal Welfare. […]
EcoRuralis’ Derek Freitas reveals peasant power fighting back against the forces of capital. […]
Watch out for business-as-usual agri-buiness solutions, even very well meaning ones…. […]
Confédération Paysanne have mounted a strong battle against the 1000 cow mega-farm in France, with some success says Urgenci’s Judith Hitchman explains. […]
What’s happening to the small farmers below the payments threshold in the UK? […]
Open letter from civil society on the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture […]
Suprising as it is to western ears and eyes, there are opportiunities for people in China to actively participate in a good food system […]
The Commission’s rejection of the European Citizens’ Initiative on TTIP signals more closed doors, less transparency and less democracy. […]
What four things did Arc2020’s Oliver Moore point to at the 8th European Organic Congress? […]
Bari, Italy, 11 September 2014 – From EU to national and regional level, policy-makers and organic stakeholders agree: the EU must support the development of the organic sector across Europe to achieve a sustainable agricultural system that benefits people and planet. “Our goal is to create a sustainable model of agriculture based on distinctiveness, competitiveness and innovation. In this context, organic farming is a strategic sector for Italy and for all Europe.” This was the message of Maurizio Martina, Italian Minister of Agriculture, at the 8th European Organic Congress currently taking place in Bari, Italy. “We are using the Italian Presidency of the European Council to tackle the proposal for a new EU regulation. Another decisive date for the entire food industry and the challenges of the future will be Expo 2015, which will be a moment of collective reflection on crucial issues such as food security.” Alina-Stefania Ujupan, Deputy Head of Cabinet for Dacian Cioloş, European Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: “The organic sector has made dramatic progress in recent years, and […]
The European consumers’ association aims to challenge current meat labelling regulations […]
Ireland’s Phil Hogan has certainly nailed his colours to the mast in how he has brought agriculture and environment together at home. […]
Agricultural and Rural Convention