This study presents an overview of Blue Growth emerging industries and investigates the linkages with the traditional maritime activity of fisheries with emphasis on small-scale fisheries. Positive synergies are investigated as well as possible opportunities (and threats) that Blue Growth can or should offer to small-scale fisheries and coastal communities...

The digital single market offers many opportunities for agriculture and food value chains -up to the consumer- to become smarter, more efficient, more circular and more connected. This event will place Horizon 2020 investments in farm and food digitisation in their broader policy context and showcase successful and inspirational projects....

In its October 2016 advice, ICES advised that all anthropogenic impact on eels – including recreational and commercial fishing at all stages, hydropower, pumping stations, and pollution should be kept as close to zero as possible. At the end of August of this year, LIFE Members from the Baltic Sea area,...

The European Commission has proposed new fishing quotas for 2018 but new rules create a paradox whereby fishermen won’t actually be able to cast off and go out to sea. The Commission proposed new fishing quotas for 78 fish stocks in the Atlantic and North Sea on Tuesday (7 November). Fisheries...

Pescado artesanal is an online platform and a communication campaign to increase the consumption of artisanal seafood. The online platform pools products of four auctions, making local seafood more accessible to buyers.

LIFE members, staff and scientists explain current challenges and future opportunities to give the right to fish Bluefin Tuna back to small-scale fishing communities. Small-scale fishers play a vital role for coastal communities. For centuries they fished for Bluefin tuna, which provided a significant seasonal source of income for them. Since...

Future policies towards livestock farming and trade in the UK and EU should support a shift to healthy sustainable diets and develop more coherent approaches to environmental objectives such as climate change, protecting nature and high animal welfare.

Everybody needs food – and that means that everybody needs farmers. Farming was one of humanity's first professions, an organised way to meet the fundamental needs of each and every person on the planet. It's this fundamental need that means that farming is just as important today as it was...

For years, the local fishermen have been enduring the effects of the financial crisis. The region’s banking system is limited to a few operators with strict constraints for attributing loans. Fishermen cannot necessarily provide a typical guarantee, making it difficult for them to obtain loans. Because fishermen do not always...

The EU has 500 million consumers and they all need a reliable supply of healthy and nutritious food at an affordable price. The economic environment is set to remain uncertain and unpredictable. Moreover, there are many current and future challenges including global competition, economic and financial crises, climate change and...

Access to agricultural land has become a major issue throughout Europe - we are witnessing loss of land, land degradation, land concentration, land price increases and speculation. Yet the growing demand for local, fair and organic food cannot be met without the land and the committed farmers. Community Supported Agriculture has...

A dairy plant in Slovenia created a local mountain supply chain with high added value that resulted in having a positive impact on the local economy and promote the long tradition of the area in dairy production. By modernizing and improving its production technology, the dairy effectively transformed the plant...

Due to the mountainous topography of the Basque Country, livestock breeders often lose a lot of time by going to seek their herd in the mountains every day, which is especially stressful for part time farmers. Thus, the livestock breeders expressed a need for change in the livestock management. This...

A national association of cheese eaters and producers established to support the development of solidarity between urban and rural people, and to encourage the settlement of small farmers and artisans in rural Lithuania. Viva sol has started a farmers’ market in Vilnius, a box scheme, environmental training and activities to support...

The digitisation of agriculture could help Europe address food security and environmental issues at the same time. But realising this vision will require e-skills, proper broadband infrastructure and big data management, experts warn.

According to the United Nation's world food security report, 815 million people faced serious hunger in 2016 – that is more than one and a half times the entire population of the European Union. There are numerous reasons why so many millions are affected by this issue, from conflict to...

The European Commission Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development has recently published the Cork 2.0 Action Plan.  This Action Plan outlines planned and completed activities across the EU to implement each of the ten policy orientations of the Cork 2.0 Declaration concerning rural communities and possible policy responses. This Action Plan...

A new case study of our case study series on Access to land has just been released. It is entitled "Andalusia: a recent history of land issues and struggles. From unproductive latifundio to workers’ cooperatives on public land".

In a study of women and their roles in rural areas adopted by the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee and Women’s Committee (28 February), EU lawmakers called for an enhanced role for women in the EU farming sector. Faced with a number of severe challenges ranging from growing urbanisation to an ageing...

Blue growth is considered a miracle cure for stagnating economic growth. It will cure overexploited fish stocks, dwindling resources and feed a growing world population. In the absence of a Planet B it gives a glimmer of hope. Blue economy is a collective term for hopes of creating sustainable blue...