European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
Rachele Rossi
Understanding farm structure
Farm structure refers to the composition and organisation of an agricultural productive unit, typically for growing crops and rearing farm animals. Continue reading
‘Farm to Fork’ strategy: Striving for healthy and sustainable food
Launched on 20 May 2020, the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy put forward the EU’s ambition for making its food system a model of sustainability at all stages of the food value chain. Continue reading
Protecting the EU agri-food supply chain in the face of COVID-19 [Policy Podcast]
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, EU countries’ governments have taken a host of measures, including reintroducing border controls and setting limits to free movement of people within their territory, in an attempt to stem the spread of the disease. Continue reading
Coronavirus crisis support for EU farmers
EU farmers are among the few key workers who have not seen a dramatic change in their daily routines since the coronavirus crisis began. They are still farming to supply EU citizens with food. Some public health protection measures have however affected farming activities and sales badly. While the EU has taken a number of measures to mitigate this impact, the possibility of further measures is high on the agricultural policy agenda. Continue reading
Transitional provisions for the CAP post 2020 [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 31 October 2019, the European Commission adopted a legislative package aimed at ensuring the continuation of the current common agricultural policy (CAP) until the legislation on the post 2020 CAP is in force. Continue reading
Desertification and agriculture
Desertification is a land degradation process that occurs in drylands. It affects the land’s capacity to supply ecosystem services, such as producing food or hosting biodiversity, to mention the most well‑known ones. Its drivers are related to both human activity and the climate, and depend on the specific context. Continue reading
EU trade and transport of live animals
Every year, millions of live animals are transported within and outside European Union (EU) territory for trade purposes. EU legislation regulates the protection of animals during transport, but reports of breaches of the rules and accidents raise doubts on the transport of live animals and have rekindled the debate on the need to improve the current legislation. Continue reading
Irrigation in EU agriculture [Policy podcast]
Irrigation is the provision of water to help crops grow when rainfall is not sufficient. While new farming methods and technologies allow some types of crops to be grown without soil, a certain amount of water is needed to grow any kind of crop. Continue reading
CAP strategic plans [EU Legislation in Progress]
The proposal for a regulation on CAP strategic plans introduces a new delivery model, described by the Commission as a fundamental shift in the CAP, involving a shift from compliance towards results and performance. Continue reading
CAP horizontal regulation: Financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy for 2021-2027 [EU Legislation in Progress]
As part of the preparation of the EU budget for 2021-2027, the European Commission put forward a new set of regulations to shape the future EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on 1 June 2018. Continue reading
The EU’s beekeeping sector
Every year, the EU’s 600 000 beekeepers and their 16 million beehives produce 200 000 tonnes of honey. This is not however sufficient to cover demand on the EU market, and the shortfall is made up by imports, above all from China. Continue reading
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