News

Leaders of the EU27 have officially signed off on the Brexit transitional deal, and approved the EU negotiating guidelines on the future UK-EU relationship.

The European Commission approved today (21 March) the proposed blockbuster buyout of US agri-giant Monsanto by German chemical firm Bayer, after securing concessions from Bayer in order to win approval. “We have approved Bayer’s plans to take over Monsanto because the parties’ remedies, worth well over 6 billion euros ($7.4 billion), meet our competition concerns in full,” said Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s antitrust chief. Read more

With agri-food imports to the EU at €10.3 billion, the EU had a positive trade balance of €300 million in January 2018. EU imports increased most coming from Ukraine (increased by €122 million compared to January 2017), and to a lesser extent, from India (up by €64 million compared to the same time last year). In contrast, the imports from USA, Argentina and Indonesia lost the most value (respectively down €191 million, €185 million and €124 million compared to January 2017). Find out more

Ministers exchanged views on the Commission's communication on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). During the debate, a large number of member states expressed their support for Presidency conclusions on the communication. These conclusions are intended to make a positive contribution to the debate that will lead to the drafting of legislative proposals on the future CAP. Find out more

Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have outlined yesterday (13 March) their joint position on the post-2020 reform of the CAP, focusing their demands on full convergence in direct payments, more funds for rural development and an increased scope for voluntary coupled support. Read more