Land

The latest batch of projects announced under the LIFE programme saw a 20% funding increase compared to last year, the European Commission has said.

Environmentalists have reiterated their call on the European Commission to start again on reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy, warning that its proposal is being undermined in talks between the European Parliament and member states.

Hundreds of scientists around the world have redoubled their campaign against using trees as a supposedly carbon neutral energy source, putting the biofuel lobby on the defensive as the European Commission plans reforms to the Renewable Energy Directive.

The EU system of farming subsidies has not given farmers enough incentives to make soil protection a priority, according to an EU-commissioned study that calls for new binding targets and more support to promote soil health.

With Common Agricultural Policy reform already causing rifts, a debate in the European Parliament on the EU ‘farm-to-fork’ sustainable food strategy has confirmed the divisive nature of the issue of farming in the EU’s broader ambitions on climate and biodiversity.