Organic farming could save countries billions in environmental and climate costs, a German long-term study has found. However, the picture is soured by organic yields still trailing significantly behind those of conventional agriculture. For Germany and the EU, boosting organic farming is a political priority and both have set targets Continue Reading
The Brief — A patchwork migration policy
Migration will feature high on the agenda of the Special European Council on Thursday and Friday (9-10 February), where EU leaders will also discuss Ukraine and the economy. The debates are likely to centre on control of the EU’s external borders, how best to cooperate with third countries, and increasing Continue Reading
A conversation about the EU Space Programme, with Rodrigo da Costa – Thought Leadership interview
Space exploration has seen astronauts travel to the moon. Satellites and probes have helped us understand our solar system, discovering thousands of stars and planets. In this EURACTIV thought leadership interview with the Executive Director of EUSPA (the EU Agency for the Space Programme), we look at Europe’s exploration goals Continue Reading
Brazil sinks rusting old aircraft carrier in the Atlantic
Brazil sank a decommissioned aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Ocean off its northeast coast, the Brazilian Navy said, despite warnings from environmentalists that the rusting 1960s French-built ship would pollute the sea and the marine food chain. The 32,000-tonne carrier had been floating offshore for three months since Turkey refused Continue Reading
Ukraine’s situation at the front is getting tougher, Zelenskyy says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday (4 February) that the situation on the front lines in the east of the country was getting tougher and Russia was throwing more and more troops into battle. The Kremlin has been pushing for a significant battlefield victory after months of setbacks, with Continue Reading
Agrifood Brief: The cows’ days are over
As Agatha Christie once put it, two clues do not make proof – but two things that happened this week suggest that agriculture’s relevance in the EU policy sphere is diminishing. Remember the old days when stakeholders and policymakers from other sectors used to treat agriculture with a bit of Continue Reading
The Brief – A Brexit paradise lost
After several years of painful negotiation with UK ministers, you might think that Michel Barnier – like so many of us – would be happy never to talk about Brexit again. Yet three years after the UK formally left the bloc, the EU’s chief negotiator was back in London this week Continue Reading
Kazakhstan closes trade mission in Russia during PM Mishustin’s visit
The complex relations between Kazakhstan and Russia were vividly illustrated on the occasion of the visit of Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin to Almaty on Friday (3 February), where Kazakhstan announced the closing of its trade mission. Mishustin is in Almaty on the occasion of the session of the Eurasian Continue Reading
LEAK: Commission details subsidy-matching scheme for green industry
Just days after the Commission presented its new Green Deal Industrial Plan to counter foreign subsidies for clean industry, a leaked Communication details the full extent of the temporary bending of state aid rules across the bloc, including a rule to prevent a German go-alone. On Wednesday (1 February), European Continue Reading
France eager to discuss funding of EU’s new green industry plan
French politicians and industrialists widely welcomed the European Commission’s newly announced ‘Green Deal Industrial Plan’ to challenge the US and China’s clean subsidy push but are hoping for upcoming discussions to lay out specifics on funding. Read the original French article here. Economy Minister Bruno le Maire, who will be Continue Reading