EU votes to ban outdoor neonic use by end 2018
The EU is supporting a total ban on the three neonicotinoid active ingredients already under restrictions for use on flowering crops. The move follows a scientific review that concluded that the outdoor use of these insecticides harms bees. Manufacturers and trade bodies have criticised the decision, and the fact it was reached before a legal hearing on the validity of the existing restrictions.
New code of conduct for agri data sharing
With precision agriculture and digital platforms exponentially increasing the amount of data generated by agricultural operations from planting seeds to feeding animals, a new voluntary code of practice aims to regularise access to and use of this data. The code, which is endorsed by the European Commission, aims to “set transparent principles, clarify responsibilities and create trust among partners”.
EU farmers urge ending fertiliser import tariffs
EU farmer and co-operative body Copa-Cogeca is urging the European Commission to abolish customs duties and taxes on fertilisers imported into the EU – particularly Russian ammonium nitrate – as they say the resultant higher prices are putting European...Latest EFSA neonic findings based on “unworkable” guidance document
The latest EU scientific advice confirming that neonicotinoid seed treatments and granules are harmful to bees has been criticised by farmers and the supply trade as being based on flawed trial guidelines and for being out of line with regulators in other areas of the world.
EU cereals and oilseeds area falls for 2018
Initial estimates of EU plantings for harvest 2018 predict falls in the cereals, oilseeds and protein crop areas. The EU farm and co-operative body Copa and Cogeca expects the EU-28 cereal area to be 54.9 million hectares, a 1.4% drop on the 2017 area, pointing to a...
