Brussels | Reuters –– EU governments backed on Tuesday new measures to stop the spread of a bacterial disease that has attacked Italy’s olive oil production, the European Commission said. The new measures mean EU countries must reveal all outbreaks in the European Union, carry out official surveys and destroy all infested plants, as well […] Read more
EU moves to stop spread of ‘olive tree leprosy’
EU lifts wheat, barley, rapeseed yield outlook
Paris | Reuters — The European Union’s crop monitoring service on Monday lifted its yield forecasts for this year’s soft wheat, barley and rapeseed harvests with growing conditions remaining mostly favourable despite a recent dry spell. Yields will stay below levels seen in 2014, when the EU posted record production in several crops, but exceed […] Read more
EU approves first new genetically modified crops since 2013
Brussels | Reuters –– The European Union cleared the import of 10 new types of genetically modified crops and two more kinds of cut flowers on Friday, its first authorizations in more than a year after a review of its blocked approval process. The European Commission said it had authorized 10 new types of maize, […] Read more
EU proposes GM opt-out for members, angers pro- and anti-GM camps
Brussels | Reuters — The European Commission proposed on Wednesday a new law allowing individual EU countries to restrict or prohibit imported genetically modified crops even if they have been approved by the bloc as a whole. The proposal covering GM crops in human food and animal feed upset trading partners, notably the U.S., which […] Read more
Pesticides could lead to ‘pollination deficit,’ EU report says
Brussels | Reuters –– Evidence is mounting that widely-used pesticides harm moths, butterflies and birds as well as bees, adding to concerns crop production could be hit by a shortage of pollinators, according to a report drawn up for EU policymakers. The European Commission, the EU executive, placed restrictions on three neonicotinoid pesticides from Dec. […] Read more
Russia may consider lifting food ban from Greece, Hungary, Cyprus
Moscow | Reuters — The Russian government could consider removing Greece, Hungary and Cyprus from its ban on most Western food imports, Russian Agriculture Minister Nikolai Fyodorov was quoted as saying Tuesday. Russia’s ban, which should run until early August, was imposed in retaliation to Western sanctions on Russia over Moscow’s role in the Ukraine […] Read more
Brazilian beef exporters weigh WTO case against EU
Brasilia | Reuters — Brazilian meat exporters are considering taking the European Union to the World Trade Organization to challenge restrictions on their beef shipments to one of the world’s top markets, the head of the country’s beef exporters association told Reuters. A new dispute could further harm trade ties frayed by an EU case […] Read more
EU farmers fear ‘roller coaster’ as milk market deregulated
Belview Port, Ireland | Reuters –– Billions of euros and thousands of jobs will flow from the historic deregulation of Europe’s dairy sector, a string of Irish ministers promised at the opening this week of a vast new plant to make dried milk for developing markets. But elsewhere in the European Union, many farmers are […] Read more
Global durum crops in good shape, for now
Winnipeg | CNS Canada — Since North America and Australia both produced poor-quality durum crops in 2014-15, all eyes are on Mexico, the U.S. desert, Europe and North Africa to come up with some higher-quality product. And so far, most crops in those areas look fairly good, Alan Hegemeier, a merchandiser with CHS Inc., said […] Read more
Refiners urge EU to rethink renewables policy after oil collapse
Antwerp | Reuters –– European oil refiners urged the European Union on Monday to review laws calling for increased biodiesel content in road fuel because the cost of such renewables will counter the recent plunge in crude prices and weigh on the refining sector. “Governments should not inflict extra burden on the public by increasing […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
