Europe Agri articles from February 2006

Europe Agri archives from February 2006

FOOD SAFETY: COMMISSION SETS MAXIMUM LEVELS FOR DIOXIN AND PCB RESIDUES IN FOOD.
February 10, 2006... The new legislation lays down mandatory limits for the combined level of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs, based on World Health Organisation (WHO) toxic equivalency factors for these substances. The Commission emphasised on February 3 that food...

FOOD SAFETY: 400 DUTCH AND BELGIAN FARMS QUARANTINED OVER DIOXIN SCARE.(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The discovery of traces of dioxin in animal feed on January 25 led to nearly 400 pig and poultry farms to be put under quarantine, as the Belgian and Dutch authorities met on January 30 to identify the source of the contamination. The...

GMOs: GREECE ENACTS NEW BAN ON GM-MAIZE IN DEFIANCE OF COMMISSION.(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... Greece defied the European Commission on January 30 by enacting a new ban on the cultivation and sale of genetically-modified maize MON810, two weeks after it was told to overturn a previous ban. The measure renews the earlier ban on 17...

GMOs: WTO REPORT SAYS EU MORATORIUM ON GM AUTHORISATIONS VIOLATED TRADE RULES.(Genetically modified Organisms)(World Trade Organization)(European Union)
February 10, 2006... EU moratorium caused "undue delays". In the 1,000-page report, WTO trade arbitrators argue that because the EU imposed a moratorium on GMO imports to the EU between June 1999 and August 2003, there were "undue delays" on the authorisation...

RENEWABLES: PORTUGAL PUTS OUT TENDER FOR TEN BIOMASS POWER PLANTS.(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... Portugal has launched a call for tenders for the construction of ten new power plants to run on biomass, with a total combined generating capacity of 100 MW. Power generation from organic, plant-based material, at a price of euro 1.05 per MWh,...

RENEWABLE ENERGY: EUROPEAN UNION KEEN TO PROMOTE USE OF BIOFUELS.
February 10, 2006... A "balanced" approach. Presenting the strategy to the press on February 8, Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel refuted comments attributed to her at the January 23 Farm Council, when she clearly expressed her intention not to...

COMMISSION WARNS SUGAR PRODUCERS THAT IT MAY CUT PRODUCTION IN MARCH.(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The European Commission on February 1 issued an advance notice to EU sugar growers warning them that they may have to reduce their production quotas in 2006. The letter says the 2006/07 marketing year "may commence with considerable quantities...

ENVIRONMENT: CLIMATE-NEUTRAL GREEN WEEK FOR 2006.(greenhouse gas emission control)
February 10, 2006... The Commission's Directorate-General for Environment, which organises Green Week, contracted the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the lighting and heating/air conditioning used for...

EU BUDGET: MEPS REJECT COMMISSION OFFER ON 2007-13 FINANCES.(European Union)(Members of the European Parliament )
February 10, 2006... Mr Boge, who will be one of the lead negotiators on the Inter-institutional Agreement (IIA) along with the president and two other Vice-Chairmen of the EP's Budgets Committee, said that the Commission had "moved closer to our position only in a...

FORESTRY: EP SAYS EU MUST FOCUS MORE ON USE OF WOOD FOR BIOMASS.(European Parliament)(European Union)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... While the EU does not a common policy on forestry, which is still very much a national remit, the Council has asked the Commission to draw up an EU action plan for sustainable forest management by mid-2006. Mr Kindermann's report welcomes...

RESEARCH: EURO-MPS SAY ANIMAL HEALTH MUST BE PRIORITY IN 7TH RESEARCH FRAMEWORK.(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... Animal health and food safety must figure more prominently in the EU's 7th Research Framework Programme, the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee says in a report it adopted on January 26. The report, drafted by Dutch Socialist Thijs...

FRUIT: COMMISSION RESUMES IMPORT LICENCES FOR APPLES.(extremely low prices and in substantial financial losses for producers)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The European Commission on February 1 introduced import licences for apples in order to stem the influx of cheap Southern Hemisphere produce into Europe. It says the entry of osubstantial volumes of appleso into the EU in 2005 has oresulted in...

RURAL DEVELOPMENT: COMMISSION MUST DO MORE FOR YOUNG FARMERS, SAY EURO-MPS.
February 10, 2006... Strategic guidelines. Ms McGuinness's report is the Parliament's response to the Commission's July 2005 Communication on new strategic guidelines for rural development for 2007-2013. Once it is up and running, the Rural Development Fund...

FUEL: EP ASKS EU TO HELP FARMERS COPE WITH SCARCE OIL SUPPLIES.(European Parliament)(European Union)
February 10, 2006... Among other points, the report calls on the Commission to submit a legislative proposal in 2006 for reducing dependence on oil and to assess possible scenarios for farmers to deal with scarce oil supplies. The report also "questions the...

POULTRY: MEPS CALL FOR STRICTER WELFARE CRITERIA FOR BROILER CHICKENS.(Members of the European Parliament)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The European Parliament's Agriculture Committee adopted a report on January 26 calling for stricter animal welfare criteria for broiler chickens which are by far the largest livestock sector in the EU, with 5 billion birds slaughtered every...

COUNCIL ALLOWS VAT DEROGATION FOR TIMBER IN LATVIA.(value added tax)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The EcoFin Council on January 24 adopted a Decision authorising Latvia, in the case of timber transactions, to continue to designate the recipient as the person liable to pay VAT until the end of 2009 (15653/05). This special measure, which...

AGRICULTURAL MARKETS: NEW EU REPORT SAYS FARM PROSPECTS "RELATIVELY FAVOURABLE".(European Union)(Brief article)(Market overview)
February 10, 2006... The report published on February 9 forecasts a 12.8% growth in EU-25 farm income between 2004 and 2012 in real terms and per labour unit: 6% in the old member states and a heady 50.3% rise for the new members, that is +182% compared to 2003....

EURO-MPS APPROVE CHANGES TO DRIED FODDER REGIME.(Members of the European Parliament)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The European Parliament's Agriculture Committee on January 26 adopted a report by Joseph Daul (EPP-ED, France) on the common organisation of the market in dried fodder. The report approves the Commission proposal for a Regulation correcting...

COMMISSION PROPOSES TO STREAMLINE STATE AID RULES FOR FARMERS.
February 10, 2006... The delivery of state subsidies to farmers could be speeded up and simplified if draft legislation tabled by the European Commission on February 8 is adopted by the Council of Ministers. The draft Commission Regulation proposes to change state...

FISHERIES: BORG APPLAUDS CONSERVATION MEASURES ADOPTED BY MED COMMISSION.
February 10, 2006... The conservation decision was taken at the annual meeting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), a regional fisheries management organisation which brings together 23 contracting parties representing the coastal...

FISHERIES NEWS IN BRIEF.(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The European Parliament's Fisheries Committee on January 31 adopted an own-initiative report by Catherine Stihler (PES, UK) on the review of certain access restrictions in the Common Fisheries Policy, namely the Shetland Box and the Plaice Box...

TRADE: EU AND US TRADE HARSH WORDS OVER AGRICULTURE NEGOTIATIONS.(European Union)
February 10, 2006... War of words. The spat, which reveals the growing tensions between the US and EU over the farm tariff negotiations at the WTO, started when the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) put out a fact sheet on January 20...

EU/UNITED STATES: EU SAYS REPEAL OF THE BYRD AMENDMENT TOO SLOW.(European Union)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The repeal by the American Congress on February 1, which still has to be signed by the President, George Bush, provides for an interim period until September 30, 2007, which is far from satisfactory from the EU's point of view: it means that in...

EU/ACP: EU SETS DUTY-FREE IMPORT QUOTA FOR ACP BANANAS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.(European Union)(international trade)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The EU is to open a duty-free import quota of 615,000 tonnes for bananas from the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) countries for the March-December 2006 period, following a favourable opinion in the February 1 Management Committee for Bananas....

EU FUNDING FOR CONSERVATION OF TROPICAL FORESTS IN CENTRAL AFRICA.(European Commission)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... A new programme called ECOFAC IV, which was adopted by the European Commission on January 31, is to be awarded a sum of euro 38 million to finance conservation projects and sustainable management of tropical forests in eight Central African...

DEADLY BIRD FLU VIRUS FOUND IN NORTHERN CYPRUS.(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The deadly avian flu virus H5N1 has been found in Northern Cyprus, the European Commission confirmed on January 29 after receiving the results of tests at the EU's Weybridge laboratory. The EU immediately ordered a freeze on movements of...

FERRERO-WALDNER PESSIMISTIC ABOUT EU/MERCOSUR ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT.(conferences)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... Benita Ferrero-Waldner is not optimistic about the likelihood of an Association Agreement between the EU and Mercosur. Addressing the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee on January 26, the External Relations Commissioner suggested...

NEW EU/MOROCCO FISHERIES PACT DELAYED FOR TWO MONTHS.(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... Morocco and the EU have decided to delay the entry into force of their fishing deal until May instead of March, Moroccan officials said on January 28. The ratification procedure will not be wrapped up in time for the original March target, they...

EU SENDS EXPERT TO IRAQ TO ASSESS HUMAN CASES OF BIRD FLU.(European Union)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The EU is to send an expert to Iraq as part of a team of international experts who will assess human cases of the H5N1 bird flu virus, it was announced on January 31. The team, assembled by the World Health Organisation, will include Dr Denis...

REPORTS ON FISHERIES.(partnership agreement between Solomon Islands and European Community)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The European Parliament's Fisheries Committee on January 31 adopted a consultation report by Carmen Fraga Estevez (EPP-ED, Spain) on the fisheries partnership agreement between the European Community and the Solomon Islands. The report approves...

EU/CROATIA: RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN SET FOR APPROVAL.(European Union)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... A Croatian rural development plan that should receive up to euro 25 million in EU funding is set to be approved by the European Commission, Europe Information has learned. The plan falls under the EU's SAPARD (Special Accession Programme for...

EU SENDS ANOTHER EURO 5 MILLION RELIEF AID TO THE HORN OF AFRICA.(emergency humanitarian aid)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The European Commission announced on February 8 that it has allocated a further euro 5 million in emergency humanitarian aid to help drought victims in the Horn of Africa. The objective is to help improve the situation of up to 5.6 million...

COMMISSION GIVES NOVARTIS GO-AHEAD TO TAKE OVER US BIOTECH FIRM CHIRON.(Merger Regulation)(European Commission)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The European Commission indicated on February 6 that it had cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of US-based biotechnology company Chiron Corporation by Novartis AG of Switzerland. Novartis is active throughout the...

COMMISSION CLEARS BUY-OUT OF DUTCH SHRIMP SUPPLIER.(acquisition of Dutch shrimp company Heiploeg by a private equity investor)(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The European Commission has given the go-ahead to the acquisition of Dutch shrimp company Heiploeg by a private equity investor. Heiploeg is a leading supplier of North Sea shrimps. It is to be bought by Gilde, a specialist in management...

NOVARTIS UNIT GETS GREEN LIGHT FOR ACQUISITION OF DIET FOOD PRODUCER.(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... EU merger control authorities have approved the takeover of diet food producer Sanutri by investment capital firms ABN Amro Capital and L Capital Management. Sanutri, a subsidiary of Swiss pharmaceuticals group Novartis, sells dietary food...

COMMISSION CLEARS SALE OF CADBURY SCHWEPPES EUROPEAN BEVERAGE BUSINESS.(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... Food and drink giant Cadbury Schweppes looks set to sell off its European Beverages division (CSEB) after the deal was cleared by the European Commission. It is being bought by two private equity companies - Blackstone of the US and Lion...

AMERICAN CARGILL GETS GREEN LIGHT TO BUY ITALIAN BULK CARGO SHIPPING FIRM.(Brief article)
February 10, 2006... The European Commission said on February 7 it had given regulatory clearance to US commodities giant Cargill to buy out Pagnan, and Italian company offering inland water transport services for dry bulk cargo. Pagnan is the only company active...

CALENDAR OF EVENTS.(Calendar)
February 10, 2006... February 17 Brest, France - Maritime Europe Seminar. Conference on the EU's maritime policy organised by the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CRPM) on the EU's maritime policy. The Commission is due to publish a Green Paper on...

NEW HEAD OF EUROPEAN FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY APPOINTED.(European Food Safety Authority)(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... The management board of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has chosen French national Catherine Geslain-Laneelle as its executive director. Mrs Geslain-Laneelle is currently regional and interdepartmental director for agriculture and...

FISH: FIRST 'ORGANIC' COD BEING FARMED IN SCOTLAND.
February 24, 2006... Like many other species, cod stocks in the sea are falling dangerously as a result of intensive fishing. Technological progress means farming is now viable option: "This is the first time cod has been reared in large quantities using organic...

MEPS CALL FOR CHANGES TO RULES ON FOOD-FOR-THE-NEEDY SCHEME.(European food-for-the-needy programme)(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... Five MEPs - Philippe Busquin (PES, Belgium), Marie-Arlette Carlotti (PES France), Joseph Daul (EPP-ED, France), Mario Mauro (EPP-ED, Italy), and Boguslaw Sonik (EPP-ED, Poland) - have called on the European Commission in a resolution signed by...

FARM MINISTERS DIVIDED OVER OFFICIAL DEFINITION OF VODKA.(Spirits Regulation)(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... At the February 20 Farm Council meeting, the Polish delegation requested a discussion on the definition of vodka as set out in the European Commission's newly-proposed Spirits Regulation. The legislation sticks to the current situation by...

EU FORCED TO ADJUST IMPORT BONELESS CHICKEN IMPORT TARIFFS BEFORE JUNE 27.(European Union )(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... The European Union has been given until June 27, 2006 to correct its legislation on frozen chicken breast imports. The decision was taken on February 20 by the WTO arbitrator, James Bacchus, appointed to decide on a "reasonable time period" for...

RENEWABLE ENERGY: EUROPEAN UNION KEEN TO PROMOTE USE OF BIOFUELS.(environmental impact of producing biofuels)
February 24, 2006... A "balanced" approach. Presenting the strategy to the press on February 8, Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel refuted comments attributed to her at the January 23 Farm Council, when she clearly expressed her intention not to...

FRANCE FACES FINE FOR FAILING TO ADOPT GM-MICRO-ORGANISMS DIRECTIVE.(European Court of Justice )(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... After fourteen years of waiting for the 1990 Directive on the contained use of genetically-modified micro-organisms to be implemented, the Commission is starting to lose patience and has decided to refer France to the European Court of Justice...

PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRY PREPARES TO FEND OFF FLU PANDEMIC.(Association of European Vaccine Manufacturers)(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... Of the 28 prototype flu vaccines that are currently under development worldwide to combat a potential flu pandemic, 12 have originated in Europe, according to the Association of European Vaccine Manufacturers (EVM). The companies responsible...

MINISTERS DISCUSS BIOFUELS AND BIOMASS STRATEGIES.(agricultural aspects of the two plans)(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... Alternative outlets for agricultural products were uppermost in the minds of the EU's Farm Ministers at their February 20 Council meeting, when they resumed talks on the biomass and biofuels plans recently put forward by the European...

EU RECOMMENDS INTEGRATED APPROACH TO PROTECTING DEEP-SEA BIODIVERSITY.(Marine Protected Areas)(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... An international agreement on the protection of deep-sea biodiversity in regions beyond national jurisdiction is under preparation. At a meeting of the Working Group on marine biological diversity being held in New York from February 13 to 17...

EU FORESTRY STRATEGY NEEDS TO FOCUS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY ASPECTS, SAYS EP.(European union)(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... The EU's forestry strategy should focus more on wood as a renewable energy source, according to a report the European Parliament adopted during its February 13-16 plenary session. The own-initiative report, drafted by German Socialist Heinz...

EP SAYS FARMERS MUST BE ENCOURAGED TO DIVERSIFY INTO ENERGY CROPS.(crop production for biofuels)(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... The Commission must do more to encourage farmers to diversify into crop production for biofuels, the European Parliament says in a report adopted on February 21. The report, drafted by British conservative MEP Neil Parish, looks at the...

FARM COUNCIL: COMMISSION RULES OUT AID FOR BELEAGUERED POULTRY INDUSTRY FOR TIME BEING.(Avian flu discovery in Slovakia sparks)
February 24, 2006... Although the virus has not hit domestic poultry in the EU, the pandemic has led EU poultry sales to drop in several countries. At the Council meeting, several member states spearheaded by Greece and Italy put in a request for EU aid for the...

FARM MINISTERS DIVIDED ON ANIMAL WELFARE ACTION PLAN.(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... The discussion on the EU's Action Plan on animal welfare at the February 20 Farm Council revealed divisions among the member states, with France and Hungary insisting that the plans must not impede the profitability of companies. The Action...

FARM & FISH COUNCIL: MINISTERS ADOPT RURAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... Rural development. The Ministers also formally adopted the Decision setting the EU's strategic guidelines for rural development for 2007-2013, which they unanimously agreed upon in November. The guidelines are designed to help member...

EU FARMERS HIT BY 5.6% DROP IN INCOME IN 2005.(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... Real farm income per worker in the EU25 fell by 5.6% in 2005, following an increase of 6.3% in 2004, according to revised estimates published on February 17 by Eurostat. This is due to a reduction in real agricultural income (-7.9%), partially...

SUGAR: MINISTERS FORMALLY ADOPT EU SUGAR REFORM AND CUT 2006 QUOTA.
February 24, 2006... Price cuts. The new sugar regime, which will apply from July 1, 2006, will bring in a 36% cut in the EU's guaranteed minimum sugar price over the period 2006-2010 - the first major cuts in EU sugar subsidies in almost 40 years. EU aid will...

ANIMAL HEALTH: EU EARMARKS [euro]2 MILLION FOR NATIONAL SURVEILLANCE PLANS AS BIRD FLU SPREADS.
February 24, 2006... Euro 2 million for national surveillance plans. In a move approved on February 15 by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, the EU will contribute euro 1,964,800 towards the cost of national bird flu surveillance...

EP CALLS FOR STRICTER WELFARE CRITERIA FOR BROILER HENS.(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... At its February 14 plenary session, the European Parliament adopted a single-reading consultation report by Dutch Socialist Thijs Berman calling for the EU's forthcoming welfare rules for broiler chickens to be more stringent. The measures...

COMMISSION PROPOSES TO STREAMLINE STATE AID RULES FOR FARMERS.(draft Commission Regulation)
February 24, 2006... The delivery of state subsidies to farmers could be speeded up and simplified if draft legislation tabled by the European Commission on February 8 is adopted by the Council of Ministers. The draft Commission Regulation proposes to change state...

PARLIAMENT URGES COMMISSION TO DO MORE FOR YOUNG FARMERS.(rural development funding)(rural cultural heritage and the development )
February 24, 2006... The European Parliament on February 16 adopted a consultation report calling for a stronger focus on young farmers and the modernisation of agriculture in the EU's strategic guidelines for rural development. The report, drafted by Irish EPP-ED...

MEPS URGE MEASURES TO HELP FARMERS COPE WITH HIGH OIL PRICES.(impact of trade liberalisation)(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... During its February 13-16 plenary, the European Parliament adopted an own-initiative report by German Green Friedrich Graefe zu Baringdorf calling the Commission to help farmers cope with scarce oil supplies (see last issue). The report...

MEPS ENDORSE SHETLAND AND PLAICE BOX DECISIONS.
February 24, 2006... The European Parliament adopted on February 14 an own-initiative report by Catherine Stihler (PES, UK) welcoming the Commission's decision to maintain the Shetland Box for a further three years and to retain the Plaice Box and associated...

EU IMPOSES REGIONALISED IMPORT BAN ON ARGENTINE BEEF AFTER FMD OUTBREAK.(foot-and-mouth disease)(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... The EU on February 15 suspended imports of beef from 8 departments in the Argentinian province of Corientes following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the area. The ban will apply to all meat derived from cattle in the area slaughtered...

EU FOOD EXPORTS TO SWITZERLAND SAW 10% BOOST IN 2005.(European Commission)(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... The EU's food exports to Switzerland have increased by 10% in volume since a new bilateral deal kicked in a year ago, the European Commission said on February 15. The EU and Switzerland abolished mutual export refunds and import duties on most...

EU/ACP: SIX KEY MONTHS FOR DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAMMING.(African, Caribbean, & Pacific Countries)(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... The European Commissioner for Development, Louis Michel, sees this as a first test of the member states to coordinate their efforts. He is hoping for a coherent programme between the EDF and national aid programmes. One good sign is that this...

TRADE: EU KEEN TO AVOID TRADE WAR OVER MUSLIM CARICATURES.
February 24, 2006... The EU has denounced boycotts announced against European and generally Danish products which have multiplied over the past two weeks in Muslim countries. Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has denounced such action as inappropriate. Above...

NEW EU REPORT SAYS FARM PROSPECTS "RELATIVELY FAVOURABLE".
February 24, 2006... Prospects for the EU's agricultural markets for 2005-2012 are "relatively favourable", according to a new report published by the European Commission on February 9. The report forecasts a 12.8% growth in EU-25 farm income between 2004 and 2012...

COMMISSION SURPRISED BY NORWAY'S DECISION TO TAKE SALMON DISPUTE TO WTO.(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... The European Commission has expressed its "surprise" at Norway's decision to refer the dispute over salmon farming to the WTO. "We don't understand why Norway decided to follow this path", said a spokesman for the Commission on February 21,...

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES NEW EU/SOLOMON ISLANDS FISHERIES PACT.(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... The European Parliament's Fisheries Committee on January 31 adopted a consultation report by Carmen Fraga Estevez (EPP-ED, Spain) on the fisheries partnership agreement between the European Community and the Solomon Islands. The report approves...

CALENDAR OF EVENTS.(Calendar)
February 24, 2006... March 13-17 The 8th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP8) and the 3rd Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (MOP3): These meetings will be held successively from May 13 to 17...

COMMISSION AUTHORISES TAKEOVER OF FLO CATERING GROUP BY GIB.(Belgian Compagnie Nationale a Portefeuille )(Brief article)
February 24, 2006... The Commission granted clearance, on February 16, for the proposed takeover of the French financial company Flo and the catering group under its control by Belgian Compagnie Nationale a Portefeuille (CNP) and Ackermans & van Haaren (AvH) by...