Milk and cheese products are more than twice as expensive in the
rest of the 27 European countries than in Eastern Europe,
according to a Eurostat report.
The outcome of a decisive EU parliamentary vote yesterday on a
definition of vodka could eventually end the uncertainty in
the beverage sector about a controversial labelling
issue.
Plans to rip out 400,000 hectares of vines to drain the EU's
bulging 'wine lake' will be watered down to put greater emphasis on
marketing wines abroad, Commission officials have confirmed.
EU legislators yesterday voted in favour of proposals to introduce
a controversial five-stage hierarchy of priority for the bloc's
waste management policy.
In a bid to hold down greenhouse gas emissions under the bloc's
carbon dioxide trading scheme the European Commission yesterday
ordered Belgium and Holland to cap allowances below what their
governments had allocated to industry.
The current supply glut on the EU butter market will be solved by
more producers leaving the sector, says a Commission report, again
predicting a move away from commodities across the bloc.
Agrana, which claims to be the leading sugar and starch producer in
Central and Eastern Europe, plans to expand its activities towards
the Western Balkans.
The European Commission has raised export subsidies available for
butter for the second month running, bowing to pressure from member
states concerned at volatile markets.
The European Commission's cuts to export subsidies for dairy
ingredients have survived a series of rows between Member States,
as tension grows on how the bloc can meet its commitments to the
World Trade Organisation talks.
Common grade lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from grain, malting,
brewing and cereal processing could be a cheap and natural means of
reducing deadly mycotoxins in grains, according to scientists in
Ireland.
Designated food "clusters" in the EU will receive a boost in
funding to help the bloc's researchers develop innovative foods and
processing techniques.
If the EU keeps hiding its agriculture sector behind huge pay
cheques instead of devoting more time to food research funding, the
bloc's whimpering and wailing will only get worse.
The UK department for environment, food and rural affairs (Defra)
claims that there is strong support for EU sugar reform, though
opinion across Europe remains divided.
A new centre-right government in Poland is unlikely to curb the
country's strong opposition to EU sugar reforms as Commission
representatives look for common ground to break the 'no' camp.
The first wrangling over EU sugar reform proposals by agriculture
ministers saw protests and a passionate debate in Brussels
yesterday, but the opposition looks increasingly isolated,
reports Chris Mercer.
An EU Commission committee has promised extra money to help French
wine makers distil more than a million hectolitres of quality wine
into undrinkable industrial alcohol after the French government
promised to rip up vines and make...
Knocked by an economic slowdown and the strength of the Euro
against the US dollar, growth in turnover for the European food and
drink industry rose by a 1.9 per cent wisp from 2002 to 2003,
concludes a new report from the US government,...
Peter Mandelson, the newly-appointed EU trade commissioner, is
considering launching a review of the EU's stringent food hygiene
regulations in an attempt to tackle growing accusations that its
policies are protectionist and...
EU Advocate General Francis Jacobs has said that the ban on the use
of the name 'Tocai' for Italian wine should be upheld. The
announcement reignites arguments surrounding Geographical
Indications (GIs) and the right to...
The latest trade figures between China and the EU reveal that the
balance of food and drink exports is continuing to swing in favour
of the People's Republic.
Brussels will fight to appeal against a new decision by the World
Trade Organisation that rules the EU illegally subsidises exports
of sugar, ruling in favour of a legal challenge by Australia,
Thailand and Brazil, the world's...
Food makers alert to the levels of a potentially carcinogenic mould
commonly found on crops as scientists back an extension barrier
levels for ochratoxin A to grape juice, coffee and wine.
Six of the new EU member states are set to receive more than €20
million in EU funding so that they can improve and expand their
vineyards, helping them to make better quality wine and compete
more effectively in both their home markets...
Health conscious consumers that wish to avoid additives in their
diets are finding it difficult to recognise the ingredients and the
health risks associated with them because of a confusing labelling
system.
European companies and researchers should share the profits made on
products using exotic plants such as ginseng and green tea with the
countries of origin, urges a European Commission communication
issued on Friday.
Years of uncertainty on the definition of yoghurt could soon come
to an end, with EU legislators planning to define the exact nature
of the milk product. But the proposed definition has caused
commotion amongst Spanish dairy producers...
Despite the failure of Cancun, it still seems likely that Europe's
sugar regime will be overhauled. Europe's farm commissioner said
that the continuation of the EU's heavily subsidy sugar industry is
simply unviable.
Imminent reforms to the EU sugar regime could slice millions off
the sugar profits for Associated British Foods (ABF), the owner of
British Sugar, and Danisco.
The long running trade spat between Australia and the EC over the
labelling of wines exported into the EU has run into further
problems. This time Australia is threatening to involve the World
Trade Organisation over new labelling...
Poland has agreed to reduce the import duties levied on spirits
imported from the EU - but only up to a limit of 3,000 tons, a mere
fraction of the 20,000 tons exported there each year. The decision
is puzzling, to say the least,...
