European Commission

Nov. 20, 2023

Languedoc Extra Virgin Olive Oil Receives PDO Certification

Made from the local Lucques and Olivière varieties, Languedoc becomes France’s ninth extra virgin olive oil to receive Protected Designation of Origin status.

Nov. 9, 2023

Europe Strengthens Rules to Protect PDO and PGI Products

A new European Union-wide set of rules governing PDO and PGI food products will focus on the online protection of the name and reputation of the products.

Nov. 6, 2023

Olive Oil Production in Europe Expected to Reach 1.5M Tons in 2023/24

Yields are expected to rebound after last year's historic lows. However, rising prices will hamper exports and consumption.

Sep. 25, 2023

E.U. Chief Promises Strategic Dialogue with Farmers

Despite the pledge, analysts point out that Ursula von der Leyen expressed no clear intention in her speech to boost the E.U.’s initiatives on sustainability and climate neutrality.

Sep. 6, 2023

Europe’s Evolving Fight Against Xylella Fastidiosa

Early detection across the European Union remains at the forefront of the struggle against the bacterium as officials are hopeful about new research, methods and tools.

Aug. 17, 2023

Europe Passes Controversial Measure to Restore Nature

The new law, approved with a razor-thin margin, requires member states to introduce measures to restore twenty percent of land and sea by 2030.

Feb. 16, 2023

Report: Climate, Environmental Degradation Threaten European Food Security

While there is no immediate food security threat in Europe, the report found that many different factors affect food production and could upset food availability.

Jan. 17, 2023

E.U. Allows House Crickets in Food Products

The defatted powder of the house cricket, in addition to the current dried and frozen preparations, will be allowed in a variety of food products in the E.U.

Jan. 17, 2023

Public Health Groups Urge E.U. to Expedite Introduction of Front-of-Pack Food Labels

An open letter to the E.U. Commission warned against further delays in the adoption of front-of-pack nutrition labels. The letter was signed by the European Heart Network, European Public Health Alliance, Consumers Organization and many others.

Jan. 11, 2023

Greece’s New CAP Plan Approved By European Commission

The E.U. will release more than €13 billion from 2023-2027 to back the Greek agricultural sector. However, new provisions in the policy are alarming some farmers.

Dec. 9, 2022

Europe Puts Off Decision on Food Labeling

An Italian European Parliament member said the decision has been removed from the 2023 legislative agenda and is unlikely to be taken up again before 2024.

Nov. 30, 2022

Europe Rolls Out New Rules Governing Olive Oil Quality

Brussels reviewed olive oil classifications, labeling and marketing. The simplified rules aim at a more homogeneous E.U. olive oil market.

Nov. 14, 2022

E.U. Announces Measures to Ensure Fertilizer Supply, Lower Costs

The Commission's plans include excluding fertilizer producers from natural gas rationing, financial aid for farmers and the liberalization of international fertilizer trade.

Feb. 9, 2022

Brussels Ramps up Pressure on Washington to Drop Black Olive Tariffs

Despite the November 2021 ruling from the World Trade Organization, the United States has yet to drop its anti-subsidy tariffs on Spanish ripe table olive imports.

Jan. 17, 2022

European Bank Provides New Funds for Olive Growing and Irrigation Projects in Tunisia

The combined €55 million in funding comes as officials in the Italian olive oil sector call on the European Commission to end its duty-free import quotas from Tunisia.

Dec. 22, 2021

E.U. Moves to Block Deforestation-Derived Imports, Including Some Palm Oil

A new European Commission proposal aims to significantly slash imports of commodities associated with deforestation, especially in Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Dec. 20, 2021

European Commission Announces Public Consultation on Food Labeling

Interested parties will have until March 7, 2022, to participate. About one-third of the comments already published have come from the four main olive oil-producing countries.

Dec. 16, 2021

European Commission Predicts an Upward Trend in Production After This Year's Setback

Production and exports are expected to surge in Spain and Portugal. Italy will see modest production gains and fewer imports. Production in Greece is projected to fall.

Dec. 6, 2021

European Parliament Approves CAP Reform Amid Strong Opposition

Supporters of the new Common Agricultural Policy said it will more fairly distribute funds to small farmers. Opponents said it does too little on climate change.

Nov. 20, 2021

WTO Rules in Favor of Spanish Producers in Table Olive Dispute

The WTO said anti-subsidy tariffs imposed by the United States on Spanish producers in 2018 were illegal. However, the organization rules anti-dumping tariffs could remain.

Nov. 8, 2021

European Parliament Approves Farm to Fork Strategy

Among the main tenants of the plan are animal welfare, emissions reduction and front-of-pack nutrition labeling. It will now be up to the European Commission to propose the formal legislation.

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