European Union

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European Parliament votes in favour of strict new palm oil measures

By Louis Gore-Langton

Today the European Parliament voted to implement tough new palm oil resolutions, which if enforced would see its elimination from use in biofuels and enforce stricter regulations on production and certification throughout the continent. 

Parliament failed to reach the required majority, leaving the decision in the hands of the commission  ©iStock

MEPs oppose GM approvals but Commission will have the final say

By Louis Gore-Langton

EU member states yesterday voted against the introduction and renewal of GM grains in Europe but failed to reach a binding majority, leaving the president of the Commission Jean-Claude Juncker to make the final decision.

MEPs call on EU to create food quality agency

MEPs call on EU to create food quality agency

By Louis Gore-Langton

Food products sold under the same label continually show inconsistent standards of quality, particularly in Eastern Europe, prompting calls for a new regulatory body in the EU.

The industry is unsure what measures, if any, it will be able to take to keep the free range labels through the bird flu crisis ©iStock/caelmi

Pressure and confusion builds over free range egg labelling

By Louis Gore-Langton

Poultry in Europe is being kept indoors to prevent the spread of bird flu, after 12 weeks all hens will no longer be free range; what, if anything, can the industry do to keep the free range status through the crisis?

IPES: Existing EU food policies 'do not fit together, and are not delivering – individually or collectively.' ©iStock

Europe’s Plan B: The ‘Common Food Policy’

By Louis Gore-Langton

An independent think tank, IPES, has been set up to advise the EU and work towards creating a common food policy that would create a sustainable, healthy and profitable food system – a ‘plan B’ to the failures of the current framework.

EuroCommerce food advisor Marina Valverde appointed CAOBISCO secretary general Pic: ©iStock/CreativeNature_nl

CAOBISCO names next secretary general

By Oliver Nieburg

European confectionery association CAOBISCO has appointed a new secretary general to succeed Sabine Nafziger from February 2017.

The Parliament has spoken...but how long will it take the EC to define trans fat limits? © iStock

EC called on to fast-track impact assessment

MEPs vote to limit trans fats in EU

By Niamh Michail

MEPs have overwhelmingly voted to adopt a resolution pushing for a European limit on industrially produced trans fats, something industry has said it supports at 2%.

Boswellia: 'There needs to be a focus on the quality of the extracts...But I believe the industry can clean itself up.' ©iStock

'When the price is low you should be suspicious.'

Action needed to curb boswellia adulteration: QC analyst

By Shane Starling from Paris

Boswellia serrata adulteration remains a major problem in the EU and elsewhere and responsible players need to do more to identify fraudulent material and actors, an expert has said.

'All in all, the coming period will see plenty of uncertainty for stakeholders,' said Rabobank. ©iStock

EU sugar prices could rise as supply and demand tightens

By David Burrows

Global sugar prices have rocketed 30% since mid-April as the balance between supply and demand tightens. In Europe prices have remained steady but could soon increase, according to Rabobank’s latest sugar quarterly.