European Commission
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.
Nov. 9, 2022
Official Suggests Nutri-Score Will Not Be Europe’s Single Nutrition Label
Instead, the European Commission may create its own label using elements of nominated front-of-pack labeling systems.
Oct. 31, 2022
Nutri-Score Criticism Defines European Parliament Hearing
Politicians, scientists and interest groups argued that the European-wide adoption of Nutri-Score would hurt trade, favor big business and harm health.
Oct. 17, 2022
Olive Oil Production to Fall 25%, European Commission Predicts
All of Europe’s main producing countries, with the exception of Greece, are expecting significant production drops. However, some believe the forecast is too pessimistic.
Sep. 30, 2022
Businesses and Consumers Need Uniform Food Labels, E.U. Commissioner Says
Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides told European agricultural ministers that a pan-European food label would be published soon.
Sep. 20, 2022 News Briefs
Aug. 10, 2022 Business
Brussels Approves Plan to Use Treated Wastewater for Irrigation
Jul. 25, 2022 Business
Europe Reconsiders Pesticide Ban as Global Food Crisis Looms
Jul. 25, 2022 News Briefs
European Commission Proposes Eliminating Tariffs on Fertilizer Ingredients
Jul. 11, 2022 Business
Trade Group Opposes Proposed Retail Sales of Bulk Olive Oil in Europe
Jun. 17, 2022
Brussels Wants at Least €53B for European Agriculture in 2023
The funding will be used to mitigate the impacts of the global food security crisis, invest in sustainable agriculture and prevent environmental degradation.
May. 9, 2022
European Commissioner to Hear Olive Oil Sector’s Concerns About Nutri-Score
European officials will work with the sector to promote extra virgin olive oil culture and health benefits ahead of the potential introduction of Nutr-Score.
Mar. 8, 2022
European Parliament Recommends Adoption of Europe-Wide Food Labels
The recommendation comes from a report outlining ways in which the European Union can increase its commitment to cancer prevention.
Mar. 7, 2022
New Award Scheme to Promote Organic Production in Europe
The European Organic Awards aim to acknowledge high quality in the organic value chain and promote organic food products within the E.U. member states.
Mar. 2, 2022
Spain and Portugal Request European Aid to Fight Ongoing Drought
The European agriculture commissioner responded that both countries must use national strategic plans to address climatic issues.
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.
Apr. 20, 2021
Second European Parliament Committee Votes to Exclude Olive Oil From Nutri-Score
Spanish MEP Jordi Cañas pushed for the amendment calling on the European Commission to consider exempting single-ingredient food items from any pan-European labeling system.
Apr. 5, 2021
Europe Limits Use of Trans Fats in Foods
The move is widely seen as a positive step toward eliminating all trans fats by 2023.
Mar. 26, 2021
Europe Plans to Triple Agricultural Land Dedicated to Organic Farming by 2030
Olive farmers will be among the benefactors of European programs targeted at stimulating the consumption of organic products and financing the transition to organic farms.
Feb. 16, 2021
Spain Urges Talks on U.S. Tariffs
The move comes as the U.S. Trade Representative announced that it would not revise any of the tariffs currently in place on European imports.
Feb. 1, 2021
Europe Seeks Public Input in Effort to Framework for Geographical Indications
The goal is to identify new tools to strengthen the certified food specialties indications system and fight food fraud.
Aug. 31, 2020
E.U. Trade Commissioner Steps Down After Breaking Covid Rules
In an uncommon occasion in European politics, Phil Hogan has left his post as agriculture commissioner over the Golfgate scandal.
Aug. 25, 2020
Europe Removes Tariffs on U.S. Lobsters in Bid to De-Escalate Trade Tensions
In return for removing $111 million tariffs on lobster imports, the United States will eliminate $160 million in tariffs on a range of goods. Observers see this as the first step in de-escalating trade tensions that led to the imposition of a 25 percent tariff on some Spanish olive oils.
Aug. 21, 2020
Increased Precision in Europe's New Xylella Fastidiosa Legislation
Along with shrinking the infection and buffer zones, the European Commission also admitted that the deadly plant pathogen could no longer be removed in some regions and called on E.U. member states to intensify their surveillance of the disease.