News

German regulators have concluded the country could legally introduce a national ban of the controversial weed killer glyphosate, despite the European Union’s decision to authorise its use for a further five years. Read more

The European Parliament has voted down proposals to block the use of phosphates in meat cooked on spits. Read more

Trade talks between the European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc will likely extend into next year after European negotiators said they needed more time to respond to improved offers, a source close to Mercosur negotiators said on Tuesday (12 December). Read more

On 1 January 2018 a series of technical improvements to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will enter into force which will simplify the life of European farmers and national administrations. The agricultural part of the so-called omnibus regulation was adopted today (12 December) by the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, following the informal agreement reached with the European Parliament on 12 October. The agricultural part of the omnibus regulation amends the four CAP regulations: direct payments, rural development, common market organisation and the horizontal regulation.

Rules to simplify EU farming policy, boost farmers’ bargaining power against supermarkets, and better equip them to face risks were endorsed today (12 December) by Members of the European Parliament. Farmers will be more able to protect themselves against market volatility and natural risks such as bad weather conditions, plant pests or animal diseases. Measures to stabilise farmers’ income will be better tailored to their needs, including an increase in compensation by crop, animal and plant insurance and from farmer-owned mutual funds. The Commission will be able to respond faster than before to crises by using exceptional support measures for farmers. An update of EU farming rules still needs to be endorsed by the EU Council before it enters into force on 1 January 2018. More details on the content of the reform is available here.