EUROPA - Newsroom - Latest stories - Agriculture, fisheries and food

Main results of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:00 +0200

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).

European Commission unveils maritime strategy for the Atlantic

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:19:00 +0200

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.

Smarter rules for safer food: Commission proposes landmark package to modernise, simplify and strengthen the agri-food chain in Europe

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:18:00 +0200

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.

Main results of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:39:00 +0200

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).

Commission publishes European test results on horse DNA and Phenylbutazone

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:36:00 +0200

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

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:42:00 +0100

In the late evening of 19 March 2013, the Council reached political agreement on the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP).

New EU farm policy: greener, fairer and better able to deliver food security

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:37:00 +0100

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.

Main results of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:22:00 +0100

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).

Mislabelled meat products: towards a European coordinated response

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 23:14:00 +0100

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

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:54:00 +0100

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

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:00:00 +0100

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

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:49:00 +0100

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

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:12:00 +0100

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

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:25:00 +0100

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

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:00:00 +0100

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

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 10:46:00 +0200

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

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:32:00 +0200

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

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:22:00 +0200

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

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:38:00 +0200

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

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:27:00 +0200

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

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 17:26:00 +0200

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

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:56:00 +0200

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

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:49:00 +0200

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

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:10:00 +0200

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

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:41:00 +0200

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

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:36:00 +0200

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

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:00:00 +0200

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

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:22:00 +0200

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

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:26:00 +0200

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

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:00:00 +0200

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

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:06:00 +0200

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

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

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

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

New plan aims to address gaps in EU’s animal welfare legislation, providing better protection for animals and empowering consumers to shop wisely.