Amajority of European Union countries want to allow tiny traces of genetically modified (GM) material in food imports for human consumption, according to an internal EU briefing paper seen by Reuters Jan. 21. In October, the European Commission proposed new rules that would allow up to 0.1 per cent of unapproved GM material in imports
Most EU States Back Trace GM In Food Imports
Mixed Reviews For EU’s Green Farm Policy
The EU executive adopted plans Nov. 18 that will force farmers to do more to protect the environment in order to justify public subsidies, despite farm unions warning that could threaten their economic viability. In a policy paper on reforming the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) from 2013, the European Commission said linking direct subsidies
Expensive CAP Unlikely To Be Capped
With a wave of post-crisis austerity sweeping Europe, deep cuts to public spending are the order of the day, and for some, the EU’s much-criticized common agricultural policy (CAP) is a prime target for cost savings. But given the current debate on the future of the European Union’s farm policy, those wanting a radical reform
EU’s Big States Confirm Opposition To GM Crop Plans
Proposals to let EU states decide for themselves whether to grow or ban genetically modified (GM) crops suffered a big setback Sept. 27 as many of the bloc’s largest governments confirmed they opposed the plans. To pass, the proposals put forward by the European Commission in July will need the support of a majority of
Industry Warns Of New EU Feed Import Disruption
The European Union faces renewed disruption to animal feed supplies this year unless policy-makers find a rapid solution to traces of genetically modified organisms in soy imports, industry groups have warned. Last autumn, imports of soybeans from the United States came to a near standstill because of the EU’s zero-tolerance rule on shipments containing tiny
Less Cash Seen For EU Farms, Caps On Support Prices
Reforms to the European Union’s farm policy from 2014 are likely to result in a smaller net budget, and must avoid protectionism or any increase in support prices, a senior European Commission farm official said. By the end of this year the EU’s executive commission will propose an overhaul of Europe’s complex common agricultural policy
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
