Science and Policymaking – Euractiv

EU needs an ambitious Bio Act, says MEP Weiss [Advocacy Lab Content]

Christoph Schwaiger — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:09:59 +0000

Europe needs a Bio Act according to MEP Pernille Weiss (EPP). Weiss and other expert speakers at the European High-Level Summit on Biosolutions said failing to develop an effective biosolutions framework will lead to a stifling of innovation and growth.

EFSA chief shares inconvenient truths about sustainable food, Green Deal

Angelo Di Mambro — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 05:45:10 +0000

Topics such as the changing of food habits and who bears the cost for the transition are politically sensitive and are not addressed in the debate on sustainable food systems, said EFSA director Bernhard Url, who is expected to leave in May after 10 years at the helm of the Authority.

EU Commission moves to ban Bisphenol A in food packaging

Angelo Di Mambro — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 11:31:17 +0000

The European Commission launched a consultation on a draft proposal to phase out the use of the controversial chemical bisphenol A in food contact materials, including plastic boxes, protective coatings for cans, and food processing equipment.

Rural sociologist: Farmer protests a reaction to ‘the crisis of globalised agriculture’

Angelo Di Mambro — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:29:22 +0000

The tractors blocking the streets of Europe are a reflection of the hardship of growers coping with the contradictions of the current system of food production and consumption, rural political sociologist Natalia Mamonova told Euractiv in an interview.

Commission convinced on ability to stringently assess risks, safety of lab-grown meat

Angelo Di Mambro — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 08:12:56 +0000

Responding to the concerns of a majority of member states on the potential impacts of the technology, Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said that the EU is on “very solid ground” when it comes to risk assessment and labelling.

Austria, France and Italy lead charge against lab-grown meat

Angelo Di Mambro — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 12:52:45 +0000

Vienna, Paris and Rome, along with nine other EU countries, are set to argue that meat grown in a laboratory is a threat to "genuine food production methods", a claim a diplomatic source told Euractiv is "exaggerated and premature".

Commission asks industry, member states for ‘input’ into EU fertilisers communication

Natasha Foote — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 14:36:54 +0000

The European Commission has met with industry and member states to ask for proposals for its upcoming fertiliser communication, but seemingly has no plans to broaden consultations, a move that has sparked backlash among NGOs.

European Parliament endorses animal welfare report, paving way for new EU rules

Natasha Foote — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 15:24:23 +0000

The European Parliament has voted in favour of a report on on-farm animal welfare that will feed into the EU’s new animal welfare rules, but the report has been lambasted for supporting controversial practices, such as foie gras production, and favouring economic interests.

MEP: Commission, Council aim to include organic in EU agri-statistics review

Gerardo Fortuna, Natasha Foote — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:49:05 +0000

Negotiators aim to include organic agriculture in the EU's agricultural statistics review and digital technologies can provide a creative way to reduce any additional burden on farmers, the file's rapporteur Petros Kokkalis told EURACTIV in an interview.

EU farmers huff and puff over return of the ‘big bad’ wolf

Natasha Foote — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 15:13:43 +0000

A thriving European wolf population has reignited tensions with the EU farming community, leading European lawmakers to call for a reconsideration of the wolves' high protection status in the EU to the chagrin of conservationists.

Macron announces new French crop insurance scheme

Magdalena Pistorius — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 19:52:35 +0000

French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to create a new crop insurance system, with a budget of €600 million per year, which will be simpler, faster and more efficient.

Experts: Deadly floods made worse by misguided farming practices

Julia Dahm — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 14:12:05 +0000

German environmental organisations are calling for flood protection measures to be improved and for a change to the way agricultural soils are used weeks after catastrophic flash floods deluged the country and left more than 200 dead across Western Europe. EURACTIV Germany reports.

‘Audience-first’ approach needed to boost public trust in science, say experts

Natasha Foote — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 11:59:37 +0000

The wider population's trust in the the scientific community when it comes to food issues remains low and institutions must adopt an 'audience-first' approach to help change that, experts have warned.

Report: majority of consumers want compulsory labelling on all genetically modified food

Natasha Foote — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 14:09:11 +0000

A majority of European consumers want to see compulsory labelling on food products containing genetically modified crops, according to a recent Ipsos report, but industry players insist that this is impossible to implement.

EU-Africa partnership must reflect ‘realities of African agriculture’

Natasha Foote — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 17:26:47 +0000

Future agrifood partnerships between the EU and Africa take into account the realities of farming in Africa, especially in the context of a drive for a greener transition, agrifood stakeholders have warned.

How American agriculture can work with the EU on food sustainability

Kip Tom, Ronald Gidwitz — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:44:44 +0000

We must build more resilient, sustainable global food systems that can feed an increasingly hungry world, or there will be dire consequences, warn Kip Tom and Ronald J. Gidwitz.

Women must be ‘at the heart of sustainability conversation’ in farming, says MEP

Natasha Foote — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 16:23:50 +0000

Women farmers must be at the forefront of the sustainable farming discussion, but they say there are still barriers in the way and a lack of support for their entry into the profession.

Campaigners call on EU to halt export of banned pesticides

Natasha Foote — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 08:02:17 +0000

Civil society organisations are calling on the EU to halt the production and export of banned pesticides to third countries, some of which they say can be detected in food sold back to the EU market.

UK gene editing amendment withdrawn, but government commits to consultation

Natasha Foote — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 14:18:17 +0000

An amendment tabled in the new UK agriculture bill, designed to allow access to new gene-editing technology, has been withdrawn but the government has pledged to conduct a public consultation on the issue, amid indications that it could eventually be in favour.

MEP: Precision farming should be part of member states’ recovery plans

Gerardo Fortuna, Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 09:49:42 +0000

Precision farming practices, including digital farming, are the best way to deliver the EU's strategic goals of being green, smart and safe and should be part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plans of all member states, according to MEP Petros Kokkalis.

EU still reflects over agri-innovation as UK mulls moves forward

Gerardo Fortuna, Natasha Foote, Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 06:31:14 +0000

While the EU considers the potential role of new innovative techniques to protect harvests from pests and diseases, on the other side of the Channel, the UK is getting ready to open the door to new gene-editing technologies post-Brexit.

Sustainability and innovation should go hand in hand in the EU [Promoted content]

Fred Roeder — Wed, 06 May 2020 10:00:44 +0000

In the last two decades, Europe has decided to go its own way in agricultural policies. While both North and South America, and also Japan have moved to even more technology-driven modern agriculture, Europe went backward and keeps banning more and more scientifically proven advances and methods in agriculture.

EFSA will keep British experts despite Brexit [Part II]

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 07:00:08 +0000

The European Food Safety Authority will keep UK experts in its ranks despite Brexit, because science does not recognise borders "and we want to have the best people", the EU food watchdog chief told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview.

EFSA chief: Assessing fast-changing agrifood innovation is key challenge [Part I]

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 06:49:25 +0000

Being equipped with the right methods to assess industry’s rapidly changing innovation will be a key challenge for the European Food Safety Agency, (EFSA), Bernhard Url, the EU food watchdog's chief, told EURACTIV.com in a wide-ranging interview.

‘New GMOs’: Kyriakides gets off on wrong foot with biased consultation

Nina Holland — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 12:37:55 +0000

The new EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides recently told EURACTIV.com that her “priority is to gather more information” on gene editing. To this end, she said, "we will be preparing a study on new genomic techniques, foreseen for spring 2021”. Clearly, the design and set-up of such a study will be crucial to its outcome, writes Nina Holland.

French MEP calls for ‘realism’ in Farm to Fork strategy

Natasha Foote — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 10:22:45 +0000

The plant protection part of the upcoming Farm to Fork strategy should take a realistic and science-based approach that allows farmers to “explore all possible solutions”, French conservative MEP Anne Sander told EURACTIV.

Innovation, CAP and Green Deal: A tough equation?

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 12:04:30 +0000

The new Green Deal will have a direct impact on the ongoing negotiations about the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as EU farmers will be asked to re-adjust the way they work to the new green objectives.

US agriculture chief urges EU to listen to science, not fear-mongering NGOs

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 12:04:16 +0000

When it comes to food, EU policymakers should make science-based decisions if they want to help European their farmers tackle the “legitimate concerns” over sustainability, Sonny Perdue, the US State Secretary of Agriculture, said on Monday (27 January).

Industry and farmers expect ‘science-based’ solutions to deliver New Green Deal

Natasha Foote, Sarantis Michalopoulos — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:20:03 +0000

The agri-food industry and EU farmers are calling for clarity and science-based solutions to meet their objectives as part of the EU’s recently announced European Green Deal. The new plans, combined with the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy and a reformed...

Corteva signs first major gene editing deal with European company

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 12:51:37 +0000

Despite the ongoing legal uncertainty over the future of new plant breeding innovation in Europe, US agricultural company Corteva Agriscience has signed the first major deal on genome editing tools with French seed producer Vilmorin & Cie.

Andriukaitis: Europe should take lead in science-based plant innovation

Vytenis Andriukaitis — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:55:45 +0000

The EU is leading the science-based fight against climate change and it will also lead on science-based plant innovation, writes former EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis.

Austria on course to become first EU country to ban glyphosate

Natasha Foote — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 09:39:38 +0000

Austria is set to be the first EU country to ban glyphosate, having completed the EU’s single market notification procedure on Friday.

40,000 farmers on tractors block Berlin in protest at new agricultural policy

Florence Schulz — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 10:50:38 +0000

Tens of thousands of farmers protested in Berlin on Tuesday (26 November) against the government's new agricultural policy. They complained about increasing environmental protection requirements and falling product prices, which are increasingly damaging their business. EURACTIV Germany reports.

MEPs slam gene-editing court ruling as damaging for SMEs

Natasha Foote — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 07:22:00 +0000

It is much easier for larger companies to implement new GM legislation, but it's the smaller ones that are most affected by the recent gene-editing ruling, the chair of the agriculture committee (AGRI) MEP, Norbert Lins, told EURACTIV.com at the sidelines of a recent plant breeding conference.

2,500 scientists urge EU to reform environmentally ‘damaging’ CAP

Natasha Foote — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 14:19:18 +0000

More than 2,500 scientists across the EU have joined forces and reached out to the EU parliament in a letter urging them to “to act on the science, and undertake a far-reaching reform of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) without delay.”

Commitment to quality: At the heart of everything we do [Promoted content]

Gary Swanson — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 10:00:59 +0000

Building long-lasting relationships with our distributors and their customers is based on a core element: trust.

Biotechnology: Europe’s next ‘hot potato’

Davide Patteri — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 06:16:37 +0000

The discussion over the future of biotechnology in Europe heated up after the EU Court ruled in July last year that gene editing should, in principle, fall under the GMO Directive. We focus on the future of biotechnology in Europe, the regulatory framework of the so-called new plant-breeding techniques, as well as GMOs.

Senselessly shunning science: the EU Parliament’s GMO dilemma [Promoted content]

Beat Späth — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 13:00:18 +0000

Europe seems increasingly ready to face the challenges of the 21^st century and to lead the way to a ‘greener’ and more sustainable future. But what role can the EU Parliament play in the face of recent unsubstantiated “objections” against GMOs?

No ‘magical’ alternative to glyphosate in the next 5 years, Bayer official says

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 10:22:23 +0000

In the next five years, no alternative to glyphosate is going to “magically” appear in the market, Dr Bob Reiter, a high-ranking official from Bayer, told EURACTIV.com, referring to the controversial herbicide that has been the subject of heated debates across Europe.

Organic farmers oppose separate framework for new plant breeding techniques

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 06:15:35 +0000

Any attempt to exclude the so-called new plant breeding techniques from the GMO legislation would deal a severe blow to consumers, farmers and processors, according to the EU organic farmers’ movement (IFOAM).

Eyeing US trade deal, new UK PM whets biotech industry appetite on GMOs

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 12:28:05 +0000

Eyeing a quick trade deal with the United States after Brexit, UK's new Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tried to revive discussions over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Give the people what they want: Non-GMO sells

Heike Moldenhauer — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 14:34:57 +0000

For many years leading European food retailers have been following a strict non-GMO policy. Retailers are the parties most concerned when it comes to GMO regulation. For them, the proper implementation of the ECJ ruling is crucial, writes Heike Moldenhauer.

French MEP: When it comes to the environment, the future CAP is regressive

Cécile Barbière — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 05:14:24 +0000

In an interview with EURACTIV France, French MEP and vice-chair of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group Eric Andrieu spoke about the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and highlighted its lack of environmentally-focused provisions.

Farmers hope EU Commission will block Austria’s glyphosate ban

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 06:30:03 +0000

Austrian farmers hope that the European Commission will not approve a ban on weedkiller glyphosate, recently pushed forward by the government in Vienna.

Farming innovation debate heats up as Greens grow in Europe

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 06:25:41 +0000

The rise of Green parties in the last EU elections has raised eyebrows in Brussels, where agriculture stakeholders try to find out what is next in the debate about the future of EU farming.

The future of EU agriculture innovation

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 14:34:11 +0000

The next European Parliament and Commission will have to deal with a number of important issues related to the future of the European agricultural sector.

Tackling the next agricultural revolution together [Promoted content]

Neal Gutterson — Wed, 29 May 2019 08:50:36 +0000

It has been over 12,000 years since the Neolithic Revolution, when our nomadic ancestors began planting roots, quite literally -- trading in their hunter-gatherer lifestyles to cultivate crops. Today we’re facing another revolution in agriculture – one we must tackle together, writes Neal Gutterson.

Companies seek clarity on breeding innovation to stay in EU

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 28 May 2019 13:26:14 +0000

A number of breeding companies have promised to relocate their advanced mutagenesis breeding programmes outside Europe and others will follow if nothing is done to change EU rules, Garlich von Essen, the secretary-general of the European Seed Association (ESA), told...

14 EU countries call for ‘unified approach’ to gene editing in plants

Gerardo Fortuna — Fri, 24 May 2019 09:40:00 +0000

The Netherlands and Estonia are leading a coalition of 14 EU member states calling on the next European Commission to update EU GMO laws with regard to so-called new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs).

EFSA boss: Next time we should also assess consequences without glyphosate

Gerardo Fortuna — Tue, 21 May 2019 06:26:00 +0000

The next re-authorisation process for the controversial glyphosate weedkiller should also include an assessment of a potential ban of the substance in terms of food availability, biodiversity and farmers’ income, Bernhard Url told EURACTIV.com in an interview.

Commission in search of ‘robust response’ to gene editing challenge

Gerardo Fortuna — Tue, 21 May 2019 06:25:53 +0000

The EU executive has already prepared the ground for a new initiative on gene editing to overhaul the current GMO legislation, EU agriculture commissioner Phil Hogan has said.

The EU future of new plant breeding techniques

Davide Patteri — Tue, 21 May 2019 06:15:34 +0000

New plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) emerged as an innovative agricultural solution in the last decade, allowing the development of new plant varieties by modifying the DNA of the seeds and plant cells.

Human society under urgent threat from loss of Earth’s natural life

Jonathan Watts — Tue, 07 May 2019 05:49:50 +0000

A landmark UN report published yesterday (6 May) reveals 1 million species are at risk of extinction, with agriculture and fishing the primary causes of the deterioration, which also threatens humankind. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.

EU curbs trans fats from 2021 to boost heart health

admin — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 06:40:11 +0000

The EU adopted a regulation on Wednesday (24 April) to curb trans fat amounts in products like snack food as part of efforts to fight heart disease and strokes in Europe.

Netherlands launches 2030 vision to protect biodiversity in agriculture

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 06:01:00 +0000

The Dutch government has launched a new vision for the country’s agriculture, which prioritises the protection of natural resources and the reduction of the sector's environmental impact.

Syngenta vows to speed up innovation and precision in agriculture

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 06:33:00 +0000

The global environmental challenges are changing too fast and we therefore need speedy reactions too, including innovative plant breeding technologies and digitisation, Alexandra Brand, chief sustainability officer at agri-food giant Syngenta, told EURACTIV.com in an interview.

US agriculture minister: Europe will pay the price for ignoring science

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:37:51 +0000

Europe is a “technology-free zone” when it comes to agriculture and it will pay the price for that, US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has said, criticising the EU for ignoring science on new technologies in farming.

Genetic innovation: ‘Nothing that we eat is natural’

Florence Schulz — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 06:28:47 +0000

The world is in constant need of more food and new genetic engineering methods such as the CRISPR gene editing method offer a solution. However, these remain contested, EURACTIV Germany reports.

Andriukaitis: New plant breeding techniques need new regulatory framework

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 07:21:46 +0000

The 'new plant breeding techniques' need new EU legislation that takes into account the latest advanced technologies, EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com, adding there was too much manipulation and "scare-mongering" around the issue.

Corteva official: Gene editing EU court ruling has sparked debate globally

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 07:42:47 +0000

An EU Court decision that confirmed that new plant breeding techniques fall under Genetically Modified legislation has generated more reaction and more discussion than “we would have ever anticipated”.

EU agriculture Commissioner ‘surprised’ by gene editing court ruling

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 07:29:26 +0000

The European governments have to decide whether science or politics are applied when it comes to issues such as new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs), EU's Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan said.

EU still leads the way on animal testing alternatives, industry representative says

Benjamin Fox — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 08:00:02 +0000

The EU continues to lead the world in balancing ethics with science, although the gap with other regions is "significantly" narrowing, Charles Laroche, industry co-chair of the European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing.

Alternatives to animal testing – the state of progress

Benjamin Fox — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 08:47:36 +0000

The EU ban on animal testing for cosmetic products came into force in 2013, although testing is still allowed in Europe for healthcare products and pharmaceuticals, as well as some chemicals and food.

Commission’s scientific body calls for GM legislation update

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 09:36:57 +0000

The European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) issued a statement on Tuesday (13 November) saying the directive on genetically modified organisms should be revised in order to adjust to the current knowledge, especially when it comes to gene editing.

Biodiversity can benefit from new technologies, EU official says

Gerardo Fortuna — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 15:43:43 +0000

It is the duty of scientists to point out what could be accomplished by using new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs), according to European Commission official Barend Verachtert, who praised the virtue of new technologies in agriculture at an event organised by EURACTIV on 5 November.

Scientists warn EU policymakers on ‘confusing’ gene editing court ruling

Gerardo Fortuna — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 12:36:36 +0000

An interpretation of a recent European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on gene editing is confusing EU member states, while the scientific community are warning policymakers about the implications on the future of EU farming.

Science and public opinion: Where do politicians stand?

Gerardo Fortuna — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 04:33:33 +0000

Policy makers, industry and civil society are trying to find a way to reconcile scientific evidence with public opinion’s beliefs when it comes to food safety. However, this has proved time and again to be a difficult challenge.

Bayer boss: Digital farming-sustainable production link ‘not yet clear’ to policymakers

Gerardo Fortuna — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 12:10:25 +0000

The connection between digital farming and sustainable production is not yet clear in the minds of many policymakers, Bayer’s Bruno Tremblay told EURACTIV.com in an interview, adding that some farmers look at this kind of innovation as a way to control them.

EFSA re-confirms toxicity of organic pesticide, exposes PEST Committee boss

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 10:04:11 +0000

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released fresh data, which re-confirm the toxicity of copper compounds, pesticides that are used in organic farming.

Hogan: EU member states will decide on agriculture innovation after 2020, not Brussels

Bogdan Neagu — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 05:31:27 +0000

Member states and not the European Commission will direct the precise support and funding for innovation and digitisation of farming in the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan told EURACTIV Romania in an interview.

Over-regulating gene editing slows down innovation, Bayer says

Gerardo Fortuna — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 05:58:32 +0000

An extensive regulatory process on gene editing adds more bureaucracy, increasing costs and slowing down innovation, Liam Condon, President of Bayer’s crop science division told EURACTIV.com.

EFSA boss: Our advice should not be misused for short-term political interests

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 04:29:14 +0000

The selective approach of some campaign groups regarding the credibility of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) results in a “general erosion of trust” in the bodies designed to protect public health, EFSA director Bernhard Url told EURACTIV.com in an interview.

JTI boss: EU Scientific Advisory Mechanism could adjust tobacco directive to reality

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:55:24 +0000

The next European Commission should enhance its collaboration with the EU’s Scientific Advisory Mechanism (SAM), which would provide bias-free consultancy and eventually adjust the Tobacco Product Directive to the reality, JTI’s Ramunas Macius said in an interview with EURACTIV.com.

Brazilian court overturns injunction prohibiting use of glyphosate

Gerardo Fortuna — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:30:20 +0000

Brazilian farmers will continue to have access to the world’s most used weed killer after Brazil’s Federal judge reversed a previous ruling, which had suspended the existing and new registration of glyphosate-based products.

EU farmers ‘hostages’ of unstable politics and technology gap, report claims

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 04:51:17 +0000

The lack of access to modern technologies combined with the fragile political landscape has put agriculture production in the EU under enormous pressure, at a time when other major farm markets in the world are growing, a new report has found.

Like nicotine: Bees get hooked on harmful pesticide, study shows

admin — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 06:15:13 +0000

Bumblebees acquire a taste for food laced with a pesticide known to harm them, according to a study suggesting the chemicals pose an even greater threat to pollinators than previously thought.

Plant breeding techniques: Commission wants broader reflection on innovation in seeds sector

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 11:23:39 +0000

The European Court of Justice will decide on Wednesday (25 July) if the so-called new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) fall under the GM legislation, in a highly anticipated ruling that has divided the relevant stakeholders

Soil ‘completely underestimated’ in EU climate strategy

Claire Stam — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 05:53:29 +0000

While climate change takes a toll on agriculture and land use contributes to warming the planet, soils still find little attention from policymakers in their climate strategies.

Lobbyist: In Brussels, the balance of power is in the camp of NGOs

Malte Ketelsen — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 13:30:00 +0000

It’s crucial for the industry to move from a defensive to a pro-active attitude and be able to communicate with the public and social networks in order to achieve a science-based policy making.

Plant breeding innovations can help to future proof our farming system

Garlich von Essen — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 12:32:10 +0000

Reading the opinion of Greens / EFA members of the European Parliament on plant breeding, one can’t help but be amazed by their obsession with GMOs, writes Garlich von Essen.

Science-based policy making: reality or fake news?

Daniel Guéguen — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 04:47:26 +0000

‘Evidence-based policy-making’ constitutes one of the key slogans of the Juncker Commission and the Better Regulation agenda. But reality reveals a wide gap between theory and practice, writes Daniel Guéguen.

Science, public opinion and policy-making

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 04:44:05 +0000

The re-authorisation of Monsanto’s weedkiller glyphosate and the ban of three neonicotinoids – a class of insecticide – have opened a heated debate on the role of science in policy-making.

‘New GMOs’ are not progress, but another tool of industrial farming

Bart Staes, José Bové, Maria Heubuch, Martin Häusling, Thomas Waitz — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 04:32:17 +0000

The EU Court of Justice will soon publish its ruling concerning the legal statute of a group of biotechnologies, which have been called “new plant breeding techniques” by the industry.

EU farming community divided over new plant breeding techniques

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Fri, 18 May 2018 15:23:57 +0000

The EU should embrace the new plant breeding techniques as the best chance to supply enough food for the EU's population, according to mainstream EU farmers. But organic farmers oppose this and a lot may depend on a European court ruling due before the summer.

New plant breeding techniques concern law interpretation, Commission says

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Wed, 09 May 2018 04:10:11 +0000

The future of new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) at the EU level lies in the European Court of Justice’s interpretation of existing law, Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com, adding that the executive will act accordingly at the political level.

EFSA boss: EU food law overhaul ‘a big step towards transparency’

Frédéric Simon — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 13:00:57 +0000

The European Commission has learned its lesson from the glyphosate controversy and is coming forward with “bold proposals” on transparency, says Bernhard Url. The raw data of all industry-funded studies related to pesticides will be made publicly available under Commission plans, he told EURACTIV in an interview.

Commission efforts to build trust in food safety receives mixed reviews

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 13:59:09 +0000

The European Commission presented on 11 April a proposal aiming to restore public trust in scientific studies on food safety, suggesting more transparency in decision-making and greater involvement of member states’ experts.

Safety first: Food packers shun recycled plastics, for now

Frédéric Simon — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 05:36:44 +0000

Tetra Pak, the iconic Swedish maker of beverage cartons, is currently staying away from using recycled plastics in the inside lining of its packages – the most sensitive bit that comes in contact with drinks. But this could all change under EU proposals due this year.

Brazilian biofuel producers oppose further deforestation of the Amazon

Claire Stam — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 04:39:20 +0000

The Brazilian Senate is considering lifting a ban on sugarcane production for ethanol fuel in the Amazon. The plan, supported by the country's president, has sparked protests from environmentalists and the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association, UNICA.

Greenpeace: Commission and member states playing ‘hide and seek’ on neonics ban

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 06:17:33 +0000

The European Commission is playing hide and seek with member states regarding a ban on neonicotinoids, and this benefits pesticide manufacturers who keep on killing bees and the environment, Greenpeace claims.

Salmonella on the rise again, EU officials admit

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 06:29:38 +0000

The incidence of Salmonella in humans was almost halved between 2004 and 2009 but new figures show that it has re-appeared, causing worries for food producers and health workers, but also for EU policymakers.

Fact Checking Science: Shaping the governance of scientific advice in the EU [Promoted content]

Nickel Institute — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 11:00:32 +0000

What can EU institutions do to reinvigorate trust in EU government? Members of the European Parliament, in particular, play a key role in this process.

Restoring trust and effectiveness in EU scientific advice

Dirk Hüdig — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 15:24:45 +0000

Today, more than ever, EU regulators must ensure that risk management decisions meet public demands for high standards of protection whilst simultaneously stimulating competitiveness and prosperity in Europe. Basing decisions on the best available science is the pre-condition for achieving these goals, argues Dirk Hüdig.

Commission’s formaldehyde U-turn shows need to separate science from politics, emotion

Rick Phillips — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 10:41:50 +0000

Chemicals, even naturally occurring ones, often sound scary, and they certainly can be hazardous. But most, when appropriately managed, deliver significant benefits, writes Rick Phillips.

Time to move fish welfare from principle to practice

Douglas Waley — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 06:06:27 +0000

The unseen life of farmed fish has given them low visibility in civil society, in policy circles, and in the animal welfare movement, despite scientific consensus that fish are sentient, and suffer pain, fear, and stress. Now it is time to act, writes Douglas Waley.

WHO agency isolated in glyphosate fight

Sarantis Michalopoulos — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 06:56:59 +0000

The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is standing firmly by its opinion that glyphosate, the world’s most commonly used weedkiller, is probably carcinogenic to humans despite a new large-scale study suggesting the opposite.

Scientists urge action against insect decline

Paola Tamma — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 16:21:25 +0000

Scientists have come to Brussels to warn policymakers of the negative impact of pesticides on bees as the Commission prepares to propose a full ban on neonicotinoids.

EU delays vote on renewing controversial weedkiller licence

admin — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 10:06:03 +0000

The EU on Wednesday (25 October) postponed a vote on renewing the licence for the controversial weedkiller glyphosate, which the European Parliament wants to ban in five years' time amid criticism that it may cause cancer.

EU agencies accused of cherry-picking evidence in glyphosate assessment

Paola Tamma — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 07:23:58 +0000

Lawyers on the “Monsanto papers” case accused the EU agencies responsible for food safety and chemicals of “wilfully sawing off certain studies” in their risk assessment of glyphosate.

Maize farmers on glyphosate and neonicotinoids: ‘We need to protect science’

Paola Tamma — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 10:02:54 +0000

As member states are due to vote on two key dossiers, maize farmers claim that EU regulation restricting access to plant protection products and plant genetics has reduced their competitiveness worldwide and that such regulation is not based on science.