(Dave Bedard photo)

European Parliament backs glyphosate, with conditions

Brussels | Reuters — European politicians advised on Wednesday that the herbicide glyphosate should only be approved for another seven years, rather than the 15 proposed by the EU executive, and should not be used by the general public. Environmental campaigners have demanded a ban on glyphosate, which is used in products such as Monsanto’s […] Read more

Motherland Monument, Kiev. (CIA.gov)

EU deal yet to bear fruit for Ukrainian exporters

Gorodok | Reuters — Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the European Union was meant to lure the bread basket of the former Soviet Union away from its longstanding ties with Russia by offering better access to the EU market. But debate about it was the spark that lit the Maidan street protests in 2013 and a […] Read more


Canadian wines certified as organic in Canada can now be exported to the EU without another layer of certification. (Southbrook.com)

Wine, foreign content now covered in organic pact with EU

The deal that clears Canadian-certified organic food for sale as organic in the European Union is now expanded to cover Canadian-processed products with some imported ingredients — and to include organic wine. Canada’s Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan on Thursday confirmed the expansion of scope for the EU-Canada Organic Equivalence […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

EU may defer decision on glyphosate safety

Brussels | Reuters — The European Union will defer a decision on whether to extend approval for glyphosate, used in herbicides including Monsanto’s Roundup, following a dispute between EU and U.N. agencies over whether it causes cancer, EU sources said Monday. Experts from all 28 member states attended a closed-door meeting on Monday in Brussels, […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Arla Foods)

Arla CEO says world dairy market in crisis

Copenhagen | Reuters –– Arla Foods, one of Europe’s biggest dairy companies, said on Wednesday the global milk market was in crisis due to oversupply, but it expected demand, particularly from China, to pick up at the end of the year. Headquartered in Denmark, Arla is Britain’s largest and the world’s seventh-largest dairy company. It […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

EU food safety watchdog hits back in glyphosate safety row

Brussels | Reuters –– The head of Europe’s food safety watchdog has written to a group of nearly 100 senior scientists strongly rejecting their criticisms in a row about the safety of glyphosate. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which advises European Union policymakers, issued an opinion in November that glyphosate is unlikely to cause […] Read more

(Europa.eu)

EU to resume beef exports to Canada

Brussels | Reuters –– The European Union is to resume exports of beef to Canada from 19 of its member countries for the first time since 1996, when they were halted in the wake of the BSE scandal. The European Commission said Tuesday that Canada’s action was part of a growing trend to recognize the […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

EU lawmakers reject bill allowing opt-out from GM crop imports

Brussels | Reuters –– European lawmakers rejected a proposal Tuesday that would have allowed countries to restrict or ban the use of imported GM crops that have secured EU approval. The environment committee of the European Parliament rejected the draft law by 47 votes to three, many arguing that the proposal was unworkable and would […] Read more