The European Commission recommended on Tuesday that the EU slash net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent by 2040, an ambitious target that will test political appetite for the region's fight against climate change ahead of EU elections.

EU recommends ambitious 2040 climate target, goes light on farming
In face of farmer protests, EU weakens some recommendations related to agriculture

Italy’s farmers head to Rome in tractor convoy protest
Protests in France, Germany eased; farmers blocked Dutch-Belgian border
Italian farmers protesting about red tape and cheap imports from outside the EU headed towards Rome in convoys of tractors on Monday, while their colleagues in the north led a cow through the streets of Milan.

Farmers block Dutch-Belgian border as anger spreads across Europe
Polish farmers threaten closure of Ukraine border; France promises more farm measures
Farmers blocked the Dutch-Belgian border on Friday and occupied roads in Greece while their Polish peers announced plans to shut border crossings with Ukraine as protests for fairer prices and less red tape spread across Europe.

One dead, two injured as French farmer protests spread
Farmers union says road blocks won't be lifted until government action on economic, regulatory concerns
Protesting farmers blocked roads across France on Tuesday and there was one fatal accident, as their unions urged the government to ease its drive for lower consumer prices and reduce environmental regulations.

France could face nationwide farmer protests as anger mounts
Farmers cite fuel taxes, excessive restrictions and red tape among grievances
France's largest farm union FNSEA is considering nationwide protests in the coming weeks, a spokesperson said on Friday, potentially expanding action by farmers in the southwest who have blocked a highway and dumped manure on public buildings.

Fears of a trade blunder Down Under
Farm groups call on Australia not to sign ‘dud’ trade pact with EU
Reading Time: 2 minutes Australian farm industry groups have called on the government to not sign a trade deal with the European Union unless it offers much greater market access for Australian agricultural products. Australia, one of the world’s biggest exporters of farm goods from wheat and beef to wool and wine, has been negotiating a trade deal with […] Read more

EU countries fail to agree on extending glyphosate approval
Current approval expires Dec. 15
Brussels | Reuters — European Union governments failed on Friday to give a decisive opinion on a proposal to extend by 10 years EU approval for the use of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Bayer’s Roundup herbicide. A “qualified majority” of 15 countries representing at least 65 per cent of the bloc’s population had been […] Read more

Romania, Ukraine to work on grain import-export licensing system
Three other EU countries have bans in place
Bucharest | Reuters — Romania will work with Ukraine over the next 30 days on a grain export control plan that will help protect Romanian farmers, Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu said on Wednesday. Romania is among five eastern European Union countries along with Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia that saw a surge of Ukrainian grain […] Read more

Kyiv acts on ‘compromise’ plan after filing WTO complaint over food ban
Three EU countries have restricted Ukraine grain imports
Kyiv | Reuters — Ukraine appealed to three neighbouring countries in the European Union on Tuesday to embark on “constructive dialogue” to end a dispute over agricultural trade, and approved what it called a “compromise scenario.” Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced restrictions on imports from Ukraine on Friday after the European Commission decided not to […] Read more

Farm trade dispute creates rift between Ukraine and its allies
Ukraine sues three EU member states at WTO
Brussels/Kyiv | Reuters — A dispute over agricultural trade created a rift on Monday between Ukraine and some of its strongest allies in the European Union after three member states imposed unilateral measures to restrict imports from the war-torn country. Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced restrictions on imports on Friday after the European Commission decided […] Read more