Updates from the EU Commission, Council and Parliament
A report for the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee has called for an end to payments based on historical references, known as entitlements. Instead, a more uniform system, one fairer to younger farmers, should be introduced. […]
From 1st January, a series of changes in the Common Agriculture Policy have been in effect. Agreed on 12th December, the so-called Omnibus was entered into the official EU record on 29th December. These changes are variously described as simplifications or improvements. But are they? […]
Continuing in our series of CAP commentary from as wide a range of sources as possible, below we present the CAP position statement of MEP Martin Häusling. In it, he points to the folly of following an export and growth model for agri-food. Moreover, this model as it stands delivers little by way of environmental goods, or for animal welfare or the rural economy. He also emphasises the specific benefits of organic farming, while giving us ten points for major CAP reform. […]
Here we present a range of perspectives on the recent CAP Communication by Commissioner Phil Hogan. A range of farmer organisations, NGOs, experts and others are represented. […]
The new CAP Communication betrays a lack of ambition, a worrying move towards reliance on the financial sector, a lack of focus on rural areas or on some major issues. However, the results based initiative – which risking re-nationalisaiton to an extent – is at least novel and thought provoking. It potentially involves give and take by Member States with justifications accompanying subsidiarity. […]
what amounts to a mini CAP reform has just passed a crucial stage towards becoming law. There is but a single plenary (all MEPs) vote in the Parliament left, most likely in December. So what was agreed and what does it mean?
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Fertilizer, herbicide and GM crops. 24th October 2017 saw not one but three significant votes in the European Parliament on each of these topics. Considering how these plenary votes went, it may be the case that, when it comes to agri-food policy matters, the tide is turning. So what happened, and what’s next? […]
Here ARC2020 present an exclusive leak of the full text of the Commission’s CAP communication. Full text PDF also available to download at the article. (image from the PDF of the Communication) […]
On 12th October, the European Commission issued guidance for EU Member States on protecting agricultural land from threats such as excessive price speculation and ownership concentration. But does it go far enough? […]
The Agricultural part of an omnibus regulation has been reached in Estonia. Omnibus regulation adjusts financing for the EU budget in agriculture and other areas. […]
With the date for the CAP communication fast approaching, protagonists antagonise each other while the Commission indicates that it may – in actual fact – do little of substance. […]
Four new policy instruments have been proposed by the EEB – the European Environmental Bureau – for a future CAP. These instruments are put forward for use in the areas of ecosystems, rural development, healthy food and sustainable farming. […]
“Itai-Itai!” is the name of a disease that emerged in the early 20th Century in Japan, due to cadmium poisoning. The EU has been trying, unsuccessfully, to reduce cadmium exposure in its citizens for years. The source of cadmium contamination of European soil? Mineral fertilizers. […]
Who’s got the power in the food system? A process is in motion to better understand and potentially change power relations and unfair trading practices in the production, distribution and consumption of food in the EU.You can contribute. For more, read on… […]
Progress towards a CAP Communication is ongoing, with two events recently. These have updated Minister and other stakeholders of the progress towards a making changes in the Common Agricultural Policy – CAP. They have also providing an opportunity to test the popularity of ideas and make the case for sector positions. Here’s our July CAP roundup. […]
Agricultural and Rural Convention