Avoiding ecosystem collapse will require a different Common Agricultural Policy

Report on biodiversity sheds a light on where the future negotiation should go

In Paris a few weeks ago, a report on biodiversity and aimed at global decision makers was released, anouncing the extinction of 1 million species in the coming years - meaning a collapse of our ecosystems and dire consequences for human beings throughout in the world. However, the report, produced by the intergovernmental platform IPBES, also talks at length about the possible solutions, in particular for our farming and food system. What conclusions should we draw when it comes to the European Common Agricultural Policy?

Member States' climate plans need far more ambition

Quote from Bas Eickhout

The European Commission has released its assessment of EU Member States' National Energy and Climate Plans, and found that national governments need to step up their ambitions to meet EU climate and energy targets and be in line with the Paris Agreement.

Phosphate additives in food

EFSA confirms serious concerns for human health

Eighteen months ago, the Parliament voted on an objection, co-tabled by Greens/EFA MEP Bart Staes, to the authorisation of phosphate additives in kebab meat. Whilst the sole aim of the objection was to protect human health, in line with the law governing food additives, it was narrowly rejected. ...

EU Safety Authority decides not to appeal landmark transparency judgement, cementing GreensEFA victory in favour of the environment, public health and the right to know

It’s official. After years of legal battles with the EU Food Safety Authority against their decision to keep essential documents hidden from the public, victory is ours. By ‘ours’, we are referring to the public’s health, the people’s right to know, and the human right to live in a safe and thriving environment.

Parliament approves greater transparency on approval of pesticides and GMOs

Food law

Public interest and people's health is more important than protecting the secrets of chemical giants or not embarrassing the European Food Safety Authority. The complete lack of transparency in the authorisation of pesticides, genetic engineering and food additives, will finally be addressed.

Product quality/Unfair Commercial Practices Directive

Quote from Julia Reda MEP

Last night, 'trilogue' negotiations between the European Commission, Council and Parliament were concluded on changes to the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, part of the new deal for consumers released by the Commission last year, aimed at tackling among others the unfair practice of so-called “dual quality” by companies operating across different Member States.

ECJ ruling a victory in the fight for health, transparency and the environment

Glyphosate

The European Court of Justice has ruled that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) must publish all studies around the cancer risks of glyphosate.

CAP: Fund farms, not factories

07.03.2019

The event will shed light on the CAP, its interrelations with the treaties of the EU, and how we can tackle the issue of factory farming. It is organised in three different panels: the first one on the implications of factory farming, and how the lack of a legal definition is hindering the design of a CAP that works in accordance with other EU policies and goals; the second panel focuses on the CAP reform, and the way it interacts with the treaties. The third one will be a roundtable discussion and as a conclusion a round of questions and answers from the audience.

Eating well for a fuller future

Eating is not just a physiological act by an individual, it is also an action that carries great social and environmental weight. Today, our protein-rich diet, which is sustained by animals fed within an intensive, low-cost meat and fish industry, has significant impacts on the planet, our health, other countries and animal welfare.

European Court of Justice to decide if transparency over cancer studies should override commercial secrets

On the 7th March 2019, the European Court of Justice will deliver its verdict in a landmark case pitting the public interest in transparency against the commercial interests of private companies. The case was brought by four Greens/EFA MEPs in May 2017, after EFSA claimed that it had used unpublished studies by Monsanto, Syngenta and Cheminova to conclude that glyphosate was not carcinogenic.

Forests at the heart of Sustainable Development

07.02.2019

High-level conference

    This conference has been organized under the auspices of the European Parliamentary Alliance on the Fight against Hunger. Opening remarks: MEP Benedek Jávor (The Greens / EFA)   Opening keynotes: Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Environme...

Greens/EFA Debriefing

Plenary week, 14-17 January 2019

GREENS/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the special committee on pesticides, glyphosate, gender equality and taxation policies, Brexit, the Romanian presidency, nuclear decommissioning, rights and values, …