Let’s work with farmers, not against them, says new EU agri chief
Christophe Hansen says his new vision for agriculture and food will be “different” and exclude “eat it or die” targets.
strategic dialogue
Luxembourg’s commissioner hearing: Christophe Hansen in hot seat for EU agriculture job — live updates
The affable farmer’s son will need all his people skills to deliver a 100-day “vision” for the future of EU agriculture.
‘Really dangerous’: Farmers hate results of von der Leyen’s reform dialogue
Lobby group Copa-Cogeca is hardening its position after backlash from angry members.
How did the far right win in Austria? To understand, look to its global networks | Julia Ebner
The Freedom party hasn’t only harnessed discontent at home – it is drawing on once-fringe ideas that have spread around the world“We will kick upwards and clamp down on those who don’t mean well for us”, said Herbert Kickl in May 2023. Under Kickl’s le…
Von der Leyen budgeted €149K to pay medieval history professor for farming report
The European Commission president bumped up the salary rate for academic to nearly €1,000 per day.
Von der Leyen’s first 100 days: What she’s promised, what it means and what she’ll really deliver
The Commission president is promising to move quickly with far-reaching reforms. How credible is her plan?
Err … him?! EU’s new animal welfare chief yet to win hearts and minds
Campaigners had hoped for someone with “some kind of experience” in animal welfare issues and “a heart for animals.”
Luxembourg’s Hansen chosen as EU farming chief, Hungary’s Várhelyi to retain food safety
Christophe Hansen, Luxembourg’s nominee for European commissioner, is set to oversee the agriculture and food security portfolio – pending confirmation by the European Parliament – during the 2024-2029 term, Ursula von der Leyen announced to journalist…
Blinken: Iran sending ballistic missiles to Russia
US secretary of state promises “further sanctions on Iran later today” as he warns European security at risk.
Strategic Dialogue calls for big changes in EU farm funding
The Strategic Dialogue on Agriculture’s final recommendations suggest agricultural policy needs to fundamentally change. What does this shift look like?
The plan to save European farming
Five things you need to know about a report on the future of farming presented to Commission chief von der Leyen.
Stakeholders’ forum hints at revolution in EU farm subsidies
The conclusions of the roundtable on the future of EU agriculture call for a shift away from land-based subsidies towards more support for small farms and incentives for producers who go green while supporting demand for healthy and sustainable diets.
France is neglecting the EU, warns head of the national farmers’ union
The president of the influential farmers union, FNSEA, expressed regret over Paris’s lack of involvement in shaping the new European Commission, urging French politicians to reengage actively in Brussels, in a press conference on Thursday (29 August).
EU farm chief drafts secret law on food security in last hurrah
Departing Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski breaks protocol by concocting his own food security law.
How Britain’s far right rallied on Telegram
Far-right agitators have long enjoyed an unparalleled level of impunity on Telegram.
Europe has avoided the nuke question for decades. No longer
America has protected Europe with is nuclear umbrella for more than 70 years. In the era of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, the continent is quietly debating a different nuclear future.
US Senate to consider bipartisan Georgia sanctions bill as ‘foreign agent’ row rages
The proposals would allocate millions for democracy-building while imposing restrictions on Georgian Dream politicians.
EU’s strategic dialogue on agriculture halfway through but still far from conclusions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s initiative to tackle polarisation in the agricultural sector is expected to reach its conclusions by September, but sources close to the talks told Euractiv that stakeholders are still not close to d…
Macron wants to open ‘debate’ on European nuclear deterrent
As he gets tougher on Russia, French president urges discussion on idea of using France’s nuclear warheads to defend the EU.
Von der Leyen castigates far-right AfD over Russiagate scandal
“They have never made a secret of their admiration for the democracy despiser in the Kremlin,” von der Leyen said.
A fairer future for farmers is a greener future for Europe
Addressing the inequities in our food system is essential to delivering justice for farmers and securing climate action.
Commission says new rules on animal welfare postponed in name of strategic dialogue
After tabling just a small part of the promised overhaul of legislation on animal welfare, the Commission told the European Parliament plenary on Thursday (14 March) that a revision must rely on a strategic dialogue with stakeholders.
German-British Strategic Dialogue: Taurus discussion impossible to ignore
UK’s Foreign Minister David Cameron visited his counterpart, Annalena Bearbock, in Berlin on Thursday to discuss, among other things, support for Ukraine, including the provision of long-range missile systems.
Macron in Prague to thaw relationship with Central Europe
French President Emmanuel Macron will be in Prague on Tuesday to meet Czech President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala to reinforce a “political and strategic dialogue” over support for Ukraine.
Trump triggers Germany’s nuclear nightmare
German leaders fear confronting Putin’s menace without the protection of America’s nuclear umbrella.
Only connecting with voters can stop Europe’s populist tide
There’s a growing backlash rooted in overall desperation, compounded by many voters’ perception that their grievances are being shrugged off.
Protesting farmers share table with EU leaders
Von der Leyen, Rutte and De Croo chat with farm lobbies after EU summit.
Emmanuel Macron is playing a dangerous game with abortion rights in France | Cécile Simmons
The president is flirting with the pro-natalist far right, even as parliament debates whether to enshrine pro-choice lawsFrance needs babies. During a press conference on 16 January, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, pledged to tackle the scourge …
Von der Leyen kickstarts strategic dialogue on future of EU food systems
With tractors continuing to parade through the streets of Europe, on Thursday (25 January) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with food chain stakeholders and NGOs to launch a ‘strategic dialogue’ between agriculture groups and EU d…
EU launches agri-food dialogue, amid farmer revolts
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen launched this week “a strategic dialogue” on the future of agriculture in the EU. The initiative comes amid discontent and farmers’ protests in several countries.
As Trump looms, top EU politician calls for European nuclear deterrent
Center-right leader Manfred Weber says EU needs to prepare for war without US help and must build its own atomic weapons shield.
As farmer protests continue, EU Commission’s dialogue slammed as ‘too late’
With the European Commission’s ‘strategic dialogue’ between policymakers, farmers and agriculture stakeholders due to start on Thursday (25 January), agriculture ministers on Tuesday said the initiative is coming too late.
Strategic dialogue: If a good beginning bodes well…
Last week we reported on the EU bubble agri-food sector’s long wait (and need) for the launch of a complex and overdue Strategic Dialogue with the EU institutions. The announcement came yesterday.
Von der Leyen will start strategic dialogue with food sector on 25 January
Thirty European food chain organisations covering the entire chain have received an official invitation for a strategic dialogue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 25 January, industry sources told Euractiv.
Graphic execution videos from Ecuador spread on X
Gruesome social media content related to the ongoing violence is widespread on Elon Musk’s social network.
Commissioner: ‘Strategic dialogue’ sets stage for future farming subsidies programme
The Commission’s strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture – which will officially be launched in January – will help set the course of discussions on the future shape of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), according to Agriculture Commiss…
Turning the Tide: Prioritising Regenerative Agriculture to secure a sustainable future in the EU
We are facing environmental crisis and must act immediately to avert it. Regenerative agriculture could be one of the answers.
Europe is still teeming with antisemitism
As Israel ramps up its military reaction — in turn triggering a humanitarian crisis in Gaza — antisemitism is likely to spike, just as it always does when conflict in the region escalates.
Graphic videos of Hamas attacks spread on X
Beheadings, mass shootings and other images linked to the violence targeting Israel widely shared on Elon Musk’s social media network.
‘Finally’: EU agriculture ministers welcome von der Leyen’s strategic dialogue
A number of EU agriculture ministers expressly welcomed the idea of a strategic dialogue on agriculture put forth by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, though some lamented that it was not started earlier in the mandate.