New opportunities to arise for the European plant protein market, suggests a study published by the European Commission today. The study concludes that the increased consumer demand for organic and genetically modified (GM)-free supply chains, combined with a rise in the number of flexitarian, vegetarian and vegan diets will expand markets for pulses and processed plant proteins.
Two new market observatories, for fruit and vegetables and wine, will be launched by the European Commission later this year. These observatories will bring greater transparency and analysis to two key sectors for European agriculture. Together, these sectors represent around 30% of the EU agricultural output value, with 24.1% for the fruit and vegetable sector and 5.4% for wine.
The ceiling for national support to farmers will rise significantly, allowing greater flexibility and efficiency, notably in times of crisis and situations demanding a swift response by the public authorities.
As part of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) proposals for 2021-2027, a new tool is being developed to help farmers manage the use of nutrients on their farm. The Farm Sustainability Tool for Nutrients (FaST), proposed in the framework of the Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAECs), aims to facilitate a sustainable use of fertilisers for all farmers in the EU while boosting the digitisation of the agricultural sector.
Rural areas make up 44% to 80% of every EU country. These diverse territories play home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, wonderful wildlife and natural environments. They provide food and resources that contribute to jobs, growth and prosperity, and help to maintain cultural heritage. Rural areas are truly at the heart of Europe.
R&D company Octinion from Leuven (Belgium) presents its fully autonomous strawberry picking robot during trade fair Fruit Logistica in Berlin. After 5 years of development, it is the first company in the world to market this piece of innovation. The launch is crucial for the sector.
EU member states will have to deal with the generational renewal of the EU farming sector “whether they like it or not,” young farmers say. And to do so, they first need to support a strong budget for the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), they argue.
“As generational renewal is one of the CAP’s nine objectives, member states will be obliged to tackle this issue whether they like it or not,” Jannes Maes, president of the EU young farmers’ association (CEJA), told EURACTIV.com.
The total organic area in the European Union (EU) was 12.6 million hectares in 2017, corresponding to 7% of the total utilised agricultural area. This represents an increase of 25% between 2012 and 2017.
The future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will play a fundamental role in developing a fully sustainable agricultural sector that supports environmental care, climate change action and vibrant rural life while providing safe and high quality food for over 500 million consumers.
With a new common agricultural policy (CAP) in the making, the European Commission has been actively engaging all those interested in the future of food and farming to explain and further develop the proposals for a post-2020 CAP, put forward on 1 June 2018.