News

The European Commission sent a paper to the Belgian Presidency outlining first possible actions to help reduce the administrative burden weighing on farmers' shoulders. The document, which will be discussed with Member States in the agricultural Council of 26 February, lists a range of short- and mid-term actions that can be taken to achieve simplification. This will serve as the basis for discussions and joint action with EU countries.

For a more sustainable and resilient food system, MEPs support a simpler process for NGT plants equivalent to conventional plants, while others must follow stricter rules.

Parliament adopted its position for negotiations with member states on the Commission proposal on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), which alter the genetic material of an organism, with 307 votes to 263 and 41 abstentions.

The European Commission proposes to allow EU farmers to avail of derogations for the year 2024 from Common Agricultural Policy rules obliging them to keep certain areas non-productive. The Commission's proposal, sent to Member States who will vote on it in a committee meeting, provides a first concrete policy response to address farmers' income concerns. It also follows requests outlined by several Member States in Agriculture Council meetings.

“Calais-Caudry lace” is now approved as a Geographical Indication by the INPI, bringing the number of geographical indications to 17 since the system came into force. Another notable fact is that this is the first geographical indication for the Hauts-de-France region.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has launched the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture, a new forum mandated to shape a shared vision for the future of the EU's farming and food system.

The European Commission will allocate €185.9 million in 2024 to fund promotion activities for sustainable and high-quality EU agri-food products at home and abroad. The 2024 promotion policy work programme adopted by the Commission aims to develop new market opportunities, while taking into account the political priorities, analysis of projected exports to existing and emerging markets, as well as contributions from stakeholders.

Join the first SafeHabitus webinar on “Views from the fields: case-studies of migrant workers experiences in the European Agriculture” that will take place on 15 November, from 10:00am to 11:45am, Brussels time. Please register online here.

The CAP framework offers multiple opportunities to support rural areas in creative ways beyond agricultural activities. It funds, among other things, investments in non-farming activities and infrastructures, cooperation activities, via LEADER notably, and the setting-up of new rural businesses.

The European Committee of the Regions is conducting this survey to gather valuable insights on the forthcoming CoR own initiative Opinion on "Promoting cultural policies in rural areas within the framework of development and territorial cohesion strategies and the 2030 agenda." The purpose of this survey is to understand your views, ideas, and comments regarding the importance of cultural policies in rural regions, with a special focus on bio-cultural areas connecting biodiversity and culture.

Without payments from the Common Agricultural Policy, large shares of areas with natural constraints - such as mountains, or land in dry or cold territories - would be at risk of abandonment. Direct payments and investments under rural development funds help maintain farming and rural livelihood in these special areas.