Tag Archives: Europe

EU to simplify rules of Producer Organisations

New European legislation governing fruit and vegetable Producer Organisations (POs) has come into force, promising ‘simpler rules, a reduced administrative burden and greater financial support in times of crisis.’

One of the aims of the new rules is to make POs more attractive to non-members, something which could worry current UK organisations which currently face an uncertain future after Brexit and which are worried about potential unfair levels of support compared to their European neighbours.

According to the latest available figures, there were around 1 500 POs covering 50% of the EU fruit and vegetables production. Since the Russian embargo in August 2014, the EU provided fruit and vegetable growers with €442 million in extra funding. The European Commission also provides additional funding for POs of about €700 million every year. Under the new rules, so-called withdrawal prices will increase from 30% to 40% of the average EU market price over the last five years for free distribution (so-called charity withdrawals) and from 20% to 30% for withdrawals destined for other purposes (such as compost, animal feed, distillation, etc.).

Another new rule sets the maximum percentage of produce that can be marketed outside the organisation directly by each grower at 25%, replacing the former system of a minimum threshold set at EU level and a variety of different maximum thresholds set at national level.

Photo Credit: Flickr

The post EU to simplify rules of Producer Organisations appeared first on Hort News.

HTA to hold study tour to Netherlands

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has arranged a study tour to the Netherlands from 8–10  February 2017.

As well as an exclusive tour of the Dutch design company Elho head office the tour will include visits to some creative garden centres, alongside the 6th edition of the Garden Retail Experience event in Boskoop, including the event’s gala dinner.

The study tour group will also attend The Auction in Aalsmeer, with a behind the scenes look at the workings of the famous clock from former buyer Paul Moors, Garden Centre Fresh and a guided tour from FloraHolland giving an overview of the whole process.

HTA Event co-ordinator Alexa Stillwell comments “The trip promises to be an exciting and educational experience and our retailers are really looking forward to being inspired and bringing home lots or ideas and concepts to try in their own stores.”

If you are interested in joining the tour or want to find out more, contact events@hta.org.uk.

Photo Caption: Attendees at Garden Retail Experience (TREx) 2016

Photo Credit: TREx

The post HTA to hold study tour to Netherlands appeared first on Hort News.

Farmer confidence at all time low says survey

The agricultural barometer survey by Copa & Cogeca reveals that a perfect storm of factors including a collapse in prices, soaring input costs and the Russian export ban means that confidence in Europe’s farmers reached an all-time low in the first quarter of 2016.

The survey is carried out twice a year in 11 countries and over 8,000 farmers were interviewed. In 9 of the 11 Member States, including the UK, farmers’ confidence about the current and future situation had fallen. Concerns about implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and red tape also caused many difficulties for farmers and growers. Only Denmark and Sweden were more optimistic about the current and future situation.

Copa & Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen said, “Our agricultural barometer confirms that European farmers are really feeling the pressure. They are being squeezed by low farm gate prices and high input costs. I consequently urge the EU Commission and EU Farm Ministers to take action when they meet at the end of June. Additional support is crucial and new markets for our quality produce must be found.”

Photo Caption: Pekka Pesonen

Photo Credit: Copa & Cogeca

The post Farmer confidence at all time low says survey appeared first on Hort News on 21 June 2017.

Russia to extend produce ban through 2017

According to reports carried by Reuters and other news agencies, Russia is preparing to extend its ban on the importation of fresh produce from the European Union and other countries throughout 2017.

Russia’s Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev told reporters that the country does not plan to expand the list of banned products, but Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev has already ordered ministers to draft proposals to extend the ban to the end of 2017.

“This is great news for the domestic agriculture producers. This (the extension) allows them to plan investments in the industry, to increase the quality and competitiveness of Russian food,” Tkachev added.

The ban, which includes produce from the US, Canada, Australia and Norway was first introduced in 2014 in retaliation against sanctions imposed against Russia over its involvement in Ukraine.

The post Russia to extend produce ban through 2017 appeared first on Hort News.

First European earthworm map

In 2015, as part of the International Year of Soils, scientists from eight different countries, including Spain, created the first large-scale European map of earthworm abundance and diversity in addition to distribution maps of widespread earthworm species such as Aporrectodea caliginosa and Lumbricus terrestris.

In recent years, “the classification of edaphic invertebrates and their distribution patterns have not received priority for funding, meaning that a lot of information from unpublished studies has not been digitised,” comments María Jesús Briones, a researcher at the University of Vigo and one of the authors of the study. In addition, these animals -affected by the use of soils- were not well documented in the records, but their presence and role in the ecosystem greatly enhance the quality of the soils where they live.

France, Ireland and Germany were the top countries to gather information regarding the biodiversity of these invertebrates -France collected data from 1,423 locations- thanks to access to substantial funding to study the entire territory. On the other hand, there is still a lot to be done in Spain. “The study is the first step to creating a database of European earthworms, which needs to be improved on,” point out the authors. Given its environmental importance -being a reflection of the quality of their habitat-, the study strives for a better understanding of these invertebrate communities in addition to improved monitoring.

Photo Caption: The new worm map

The post First European earthworm map appeared first on Hort News on 26 February 2016.

EAPR announces Post Harvest Meeting

The European Association for Potato Research (EAPR) has announced further details of its Post Harvest Section meeting which will be held at the end of June in Wageningen in The Netherlands.

EAPR is inviting contributions on a range of post-harvest topics, but some of the key issues it hopes to investigate include: the needs of the fresh and/or seed potato market for control of storage diseases or to address trade barriers; and how to reduce waste and losses. Another topic will consider fresh market requirements in terms of residues, quality parameters and factors affecting shelf‐life and what can be achieved by changing storage practices?

The meeting will be held on the 29-30 June. To register your interest in the meeting or for any other enquiries please email info@eapr-postharvest.eu.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

The post EAPR announces Post Harvest Meeting appeared first on Hort News on 23 Feb 2016.

Defra to fight for UK farmers in Europe

The UK is committed to scientific evidence in the face of potentially damaging European legislation. That was the message from Kathleen Kelliher of Defra when she addressed the UK Onion & Carrot Conference on Wednesday 4 October.

“Most of these decisions are made in Brussels and while Defra uses science-based decision making, sadly we cannot promise that decisions on future EU approvals will be based on sound science, because in some cases the current EU criteria are not scientific,” she said.

“The UK has arguably been the leading member state in pressing for science-based regulation of these chemicals. Our calls for an impact assessment have at last been heeded by the Commission.

“Defra supports regulation to protect people and the environment from adverse effects from pesticides; however it is right for all of use to be aware of the costs and benefits of regulation. We agree that the EU regime has features that carry very significant cost for limited benefits.

“We think [potential pesticides]should be assessed by a proper risk assessment,” she added.

The post Defra to fight for UK farmers in Europe appeared first on Hort News.

European plant raisers tour British growers

The British Growers Association recently hosted a visit by a group of European plant raisers to show them various horticulture businesses around the south coast of England.

As well as visits to growers, including Vitacress VHB, Tinwood Estate, Tangmere Airfield Nursery and Hill Brothers, the visitors also toured Sainsbury’s distribution depot at Basingstoke, and Syngenta’s International Research Centre at Jealotts Hill.

“A jam packed couple of days ensured that the guests left having had access to some of the largest and most modern horticulture businesses in the UK. The British Growers Association would like to thank everyone who kindly hosted the group for what was an extremely enjoyable trip,” said BGA’s Julia Hall-Jones.

The post European plant raisers tour British growers appeared first on Hort News.