There are an estimated 500 million family farms in the world, representing more than 90 percent of all farms. They are essential to our way of life, producing the bulk of our food and serving as the foundation of agriculture and the rural economy. Family farmers hold the key to...

This study researched the drivers and mechanisms of both structural and non-structural horizontal and vertical integration in the seafood industry in all 22 Member States with a coastline. The objective of the study was to identify trends among the Member States. The observed trends generally fall into three broad, inter-linked...

With only about 2 percent of its total population severely undernourished (7 percent lower than the world average), the Europe and Central Asia region is better off than others with regards to food security. However, other forms of malnutrition are following in the wake: Millions still suffer from micronutrient deficiencies...

Upon request from the governments of Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine, FAO has been helping these countries maintain the genetic diversity and sustainable use of local brown cattle breeds suitable for both dairy and meat production. A two-day workshop starting today in Kyiv will provide an update on the process, present a...

The number of young people who want to work in agriculture is shrinking. Those who choose farming in Germany have to put up with high acquisition costs, complicated bureaucratic requirements and a modest income. 

Fish from inland rivers and lakes, whether wild or raised through freshwater aquaculture, have the potential to make significant contributions to healthy diets and sustainable food supplies in Europe. This is the main message of two important meetings of FAO’s European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC), being held...

Some EU ministers raised concerns about external market disturbances in the meat sector coming from Ukraine and Brexit during a meeting on Monday (18 March) but Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan pledged to fight fire with fire.

With our oceans and seas in a critical state of degradation from fleet overcapacity and overfishing, reintroducing subsidies that boost these activities must not be permitted, writes Ignacio Fesco Vanzini.

Despite remarkable developments in the field of food safety in recent decades, the global burden of foodborne diseases is still unacceptably high. An estimated 600 million – almost 1 in 10 people in the world – fall ill after eating contaminated food every year, and 420 000 of them die....

Small-scale family farms are the backbone of food production worldwide. Together, they are the main or sole providers of diverse and nutritious food for 70% of the world’s population. However, the livelihoods of these small-scale producers are increasingly being threatened by the development of our globalised industrial food system. The...

Despite improvements in the control of organic farming, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) said more work is needed to prevent food fraud and ensure that organic standards are met, as traceability is causing continued issues for foodstuffs bearing the bio label.

How can drones improve olive farms? Andalusian Operational Group (Spain) ‘I+D+i Precision Agriculture’ is trying to find an answer to this question. For the past year, the group has been studying how they can improve productivity and competitiveness in olive farming, while protecting natural areas.

Two years ago, Dutch dairy farmer Matté Eikelenboom started exploring crop diversification in his grazing land, to stimulate soil life and improve the health of his cows. His mixed pastures show promising results for the quality of his feed and the health of his animals. The variety of species also...

How to combat depopulation and make rural areas vibrant again? This was the question addressed during the ENRD Workshop on May 21, 2019. The event explored the role of Rural Development Programmes and other EU policies in maintaining a high quality of life in these regions, where demographic trends are...

Agriculture in the EU and worldwide has become increasingly dependent on the use of pesticides. Change is needed because the use of these chemicals can impact the environment and the health of animals and humans. Inspired by results in other member states, the Portuguese Operational Group HortInf is trying to...

The state of Europe’s water ecosystems puts a big question mark over the future availability of freshwater, for people and for all manner of industry, not least for food production and agriculture

In this monthly newsletter, CAP reform, more details are also given on the CAP strategic plans process, while there are two dedicated features on climate change and its relationship to farming, a document from Ireland and another visionary - Anders Borgen - with decades of practical knowledge on organic plant breeding,...

"Young Farmers' Call for Climate Action" is CEJA's position paper on climate change. The document was approved by CEJA's members, all young farmers from around the EU, in December 2019. It includes chapters on adaptation, emissions reduction and carbon sequestration.

Just how bad are the twin climate and biodiversity crises, and what is anyone doing about it? The first of a two-parter on the topic from ARC2020’s Oliver Moore.

In part 2 we introduce the social and solidarity economy, and the interesting lessons we can learn from separatist movements from the past and present, from Quebec to Ireland.