The European Commission received the go-ahead Monday to slap a two-year ban across the European Union on the use of pesticides blamed for a sharp decline in bee populations, an EU diplomat said. A key committee cleared the way for the European Union executive to implement a two-year moratorium on three pesticides that is expected to enter into force late this year, a diplomat told...
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EU states are to vote shortly on a proposal to restrict the use of pesticides linked to bee deaths in scientific studies. There is great concern across Europe about the collapse of bee populations. Neonicotinoid chemicals in sprays are believed to harm bees and the European Commission says they should be restricted to crops not attractive to bees and other pollinators. But many farmers and...
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The European Commission has approved 22 programmes to promote agricultural products in the European Union and in third countries. The total budget of the programmes, the large majority of which will run for a period of three years, is € 71,94 million, of which the EU contributes € 35,97 million. The selected programmes cover olive oil, milk and milk products, meat, fresh and...
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In an acknowledgement that agricultural policy has been knocked off course by prolonged deal-making, the European Commission on Thursday (18 April) announced plans for a year-long transition to give farmers and administrators time to implement the still-undecided policies. Millions of farmers who receive direct payments under the CAP will continue to be paid under existing rules, while...
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The European Commission adopted its School Fruit Scheme implementation strategy for 2013/2014. Bulgaria will receive an extra 1 396 636 BGN, which makes EU funding reach 4 189 910 BGN. This is 50% more than the initially allocated budget. With the national co-financing, the budget will total 5 586 547 BGN. Bulgaria petitioned for extra funding because it reached a high absorption rate in...
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With the forecast for expenditure on CAP Direct Payments & Market measures for 2014 higher than the provisional ceiling for 2014 agreed by EU heads of government, the European Commission has tabled a proposal for "Financial Discipline" to ensure that spending remains within budget limits. The concept, established in 2003 but never triggered until now, requires the Commission to make a proposal...
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Agriculture ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday (19 March) forged an incomplete compromise farm policy ahead of key negotiations on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with Slovakia and Slovenia refusing to sign off on the deal. The most divisive issues in the 2014-2020 CAP have been the force of environmental measures, establishing a uniform per-acre payment for farmers,...
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Every year, each European citizen generates over 500 kilos of municipal waste, more than one third of which goes directly to landfill. Whereas some Member States manage to put those resources to productive use, recycling or composting around 60% of their municipal waste, others struggle to manage it. Today Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik is participating in a high level seminar in...
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A total of €414 million of EU agricultural policy funds unduly spent by Member States is being claimed back by the European Commission today under the so-called clearance of accounts procedure. Member States are responsible for paying out and checking expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the Commission is required to ensure that Member States have made correct use...
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The causes of death are numerous, but beekeepers expect realizable measures During the regular meeting of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural development, was presented a study on neonicotinoid insecticides, prepared by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Bulgarian MEP Mariya Gabriel (EPP / GERB) actively participated in the debate on the subject with the members of...
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The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into a number of public support measures granted by Estonia in favour of its flag carrier airline Estonian Air. At this stage, the Commission has doubts whether these measures are in line with EU state aid rules. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives interested third parties an opportunity to comment on the measures under...
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Nestlé has removed beef pasta meals sold under its Buitoni brand from sale in Italy and Spain after finding traces of horsemeat, becoming the latest company embroiled in a food scandal spreading across Europe. The world's biggest food company, which last week said its products had not been affected by the scandal, stressed its decision to withdraw the products came after tests over...
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A new ordinance on enforcing the rules about organic farming and control over production and labeling of organic products was promulgated in the Official Gazette. The ordinance revokes Ordinance 22 dated July 4, 2001 for the organic production of plants, plant products and foods of plant origin and its marking on them, and Ordinance 35 dated August 30, 2001 on the organic farming of animals...
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107 projects will be financed with a total subsidy of BGN 26 661 252 under Measure 121 Modernization of Agricultural Holdings of the Rural Development Programme. The projects involve the purchase of equipment for the production of apricots, cherries, plums, peaches, apples and potatoes. A further nine vine growing projects will be supported. A beneficiary of Rodopi municipality will invest...
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Conservationists angered by efforts to “gut” Europe’s future farm policy are banking on the full European Parliament to protect the environmental standards proposed by the European Commission. With the full Parliament due to vote on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) the night of 12 March, environmental campaigners hope for a change of course after the Parliament’s...
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