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Special coverage
The economic crisis – The EU’s response
The European Union is responding to the global economic crisis through actions on different levels.
Fast facts, background information, progress and more in depth information on main EU issues
Latest stories - Agriculture, fisheries and food
New rules for baby food, special diet food and low-calorie food
11/06/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Environment, consumers and health
Rules on the labelling and content of baby milks and foods for special medical purposes will be better defined in order to protect consumers and distinguish more clearly between foods for normal consumption and foods for specific groups under legislation.
Commission publishes annual report on EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed
10/06/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Environment, consumers and health
An annual report published on Europe’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) revealed that in 2012 almost 50% of notifications related to food and feed rejections at EU borders due to the risk they posed to food safety.
Commission publishes annual report on EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed
10/06/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Environment, consumers and health
An annual report published on Europe’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) revealed that in 2012 almost 50% of notifications related to food and feed rejections at EU borders due to the risk they posed to food safety.
Main results of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council 
14/05/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Institutional affairs
As regards agriculture, ministers were briefed on the state of play of the trilogues on the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP). Concerning fisheries issues, the Council held a debate on the outcome of the trilogues on the reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP). |PHOTOS 1|2|VIDEO|
European Commission unveils maritime strategy for the Atlantic
13/05/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Environment, consumers and health
The Action Plan follows from the Atlantic Strategy the Commission adopted in 2011. It aims to show how the EU's Atlantic Member States, their regions and the Commission can help create sustainable growth in coastal regions and drive forward the "blue economy", which has the potential to provide 7 million jobs in Europe by 2020. |PHOTOS|VIDEO|
Smarter rules for safer food: Commission proposes landmark package to modernise, simplify and strengthen the agri-food chain in Europe
06/05/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Environment, consumers and health
The European Commission has adopted a package of measures to strengthen the enforcement of health and safety standards for the whole agri-food chain. Food safety is essential to ensure consumers' confidence and sustainability of food production. |PHOTOS|VIDEO 1|2|
Main results of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council
22/04/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Institutional affairs
As regards agriculture, ministers were briefed by the Presidency on the state of play of the first trilogues on the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP). Concerning fisheries issues, the Council held a debate on the outcome of the first trilogues on the reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP). |PHOTOS|VIDEO|
Commission publishes European test results on horse DNA and Phenylbutazone
16/04/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Environment, consumers and health
Launched last month, the coordinated EU-wide testing for horsemeat DNA and phenylbutazone requested, and co-financed, by the European Commission in the wake of the horsemeat scandal has revealed that less than 5 % of the tested products had horse DNA.
The Council agrees on reform of the common agriculture policy
20/03/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
In the late evening of 19 March 2013, the Council reached political agreement on the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP). |PHOTOS 1|2|3|VIDEO|
New EU farm policy: greener, fairer and better able to deliver food security
13/03/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
To deliver secure supplies of high-quality food while protecting the environment better, the new EU farm policy must make "greening" measures mandatory but flexible and help farmers to cope with market challenges. |VIDEO|
Main results of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council
26/02/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Institutional affairs
As regards agriculture, ministers had a public debate on the direct payments regulation and the horizontal regulation within the framework of the common agricultural policy (CAP) reform. Concerning fisheries issues, ministers reached an agreement for a general approach on the basic
provisions of the common fisheries policy (CFP).
|PHOTOS 1|2|VIDEO 1|2|
Mislabelled meat products: towards a European coordinated response
13/02/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Institutional affairs
At an informal meeting, ministers from the most affected member states exchanged views and shared information on the recently discovered mislabelling of processed beef products containing horsemeat.
Stop overfishing: MEPs vote for ambitious reform
06/02/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
A major reform of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) which aims to cut fishing to sustainable stock levels, end dumping at sea, and base long-term planning on sound scientific data, was approved by Parliament.
Main results of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council
28/01/2013 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
As regards fisheries issues, the Presidency presented its work programme and priorities to the Council. Ministers also held an exchange of views on the common fisheries policy (CFP) reform "package". Concerning agriculture, the Presidency presented its work programme and a roadmap for CAP reform.
Agreement on fishing quotas for 2013
20/12/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council agreed on the fishing opportunities for the year to come, as is traditional at the end of every year under the common fisheries policy.
Improving the functioning of the food supply chain
05/12/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
The Commission will assess all possible options for tackling unfair trading practices in the food chain, including legislation, and will launch an impact assessment.
Commission launches new strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas
03/12/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Regions and local development
The strategy rests on 4 pillars: a stronger blue economy, a healthier marine environment, a safer maritime space, and responsible fishing activities.
Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2013 for fish stocks under international agreements
19/11/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
The European Commission presented its proposal for next year's fishing opportunities for fish stocks which are jointly managed with third parties, such as Norway or Regional Fisheries Management Organisations.
Management of fisheries in the Baltic Sea for 2013 in place
23/10/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
The Council made an important step forward, when it reached a political agreement on the fishing opportunities for 2013 for certain stocks in the Baltic Sea. Member states agreed on more ambitious cuts in total allowable catches (TACs) for cod and fixed the TACs for other stocks.
Six Member States have exceeded their milk quota
18/10/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
Six Member States - Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Cyprus and Luxembourg - exceeded their milk quotas in 2011/2012, triggering "superlevy" penalties of about € 79 million, according to figures published by the Commission.
Little increase in deep-sea fishing opportunities 2013-2014
09/10/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
In line with the scientific advice, the Commission proposes to increase total allowable catches (TACs) for 3 stocks, a decrease for 13 stocks, and maintain TACs at the current level for 8 stocks (including zero TACs for 6 stocks), compared to 2012
New Maritime Agenda for growth and jobs adopted
08/10/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Employment and social rights
The agenda focuses on promising maritime sectors where there is a great potential for new jobs and growth. These sectors are: marine renewable energy, aquaculture, blue biotechnology, coastal tourism and sea bed mining.
Enhancing food safety: EU adopts list of approved flavouring substances
01/10/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
Flavouring substances in food will become even safer and more transparent thanks to two pieces of legislation adopted by the European Commission.
A new tool for financing the common fisheries policy reform
25/09/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
At today's meeting, ministers had an orientation debate on a proposal for a new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
EU Farm subsidies: the Commission intends to increase aid transparency
25/09/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
The Commission has adopted a proposal designed to apply new rules with regard to the publication of information on the beneficiaries of European agricultural funds.
Blue Growth: Commission presents prospects for sustainable growth from marine and maritime sectors
13/09/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
In a Communication on 'Blue Growth', the European Commission presents promising indications for economic growth and employment prospects in the marine and maritime economy to help Europe's economic recovery.
Seabed mapping: new opportunities for blue growth and jobs in seas and oceans
29/08/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food / Employment and social rights
The European Commission is proposing to create a digital seabed map of European waters by 2020 by collecting all existing data into one coherent database accessible to everyone.
Fisheries: Commission decides on deductions of fishing quotas for 2012
01/08/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
Through deductions the Commission can immediately address the damage done to the stocks overfished in the previous year and ensure a sustainable use by all Member States of a common fishing resource.
Commission to recover € 426 million of CAP expenditure from the Member States
22/06/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
A total of €436 million of EU agricultural policy funds unduly spent by Member States is being claimed back by the European Commission. In order to take account of financial pressures, a new regulation will allow Member States under financial assistance to delay, on certain conditions, reimbursement for up to 18 months.
Main results of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council
12/06/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
As regards fisheries, within the framework of the common fisheries policy (CFP) reform package, the ministers reached a general approach on a proposal for a regulation on the CFP and a proposal on a common organisation of markets in fisheries and aquaculture products.
Fishing opportunities for 2013: improvements for some fish stocks
08/06/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
In a consultation document, the European Commission sets out its intentions for fixing fishing opportunities for 2013. The document shows that the Commission's efforts to phase out overfishing are starting to bear fruit.
Food: Commission adopts landmark list of permitted health claims
16/05/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
A list of 222 health claims has been approved by the Commission. This list is based on sound scientific advice, will be used throughout the EU and will also help to remove misleading claims from the market before the end of the year.
Making Europe's fisheries healthier and greener
14/05/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
EU agriculture and fisheries ministers continued the debate on Europe's Common Fisheries Policy reform, this time focusing on how to achieve the "maximum sustainable yield" – the largest average catch that can continuously be taken from a fish stock without jeopardising that stock's reproduction.
Constructive debate on direct payments for farmers
27/04/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
At their meeting on 26 April, agriculture ministers discussed the reform of payments for farmers, which make up a considerable part of the EU's expenditure. The debate is part of the broader discussion on the reform of the EU's common agricultural policy.
Parliament saves food programme for the EU's most deprived citizens
16/02/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
The "Food for the needy" programme will continue to supply food to the EU's most deprived citizens for two more years, thanks to a rescue plan agreed with the Council and approved in plenary session.
More protection for animals
19/01/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
New plan aims to address gaps in EU’s animal welfare legislation, providing better protection for animals and empowering consumers to shop wisely.