Big global biotech corporations like Bayer and Corteva, which together already control 40% of the global seed market, are dangerously trying to reinforce their monopoly and threatening food security. A new report reveals how these companies seek to increase their control over the future of food and farming by patenting new GM techniques.

Out of the publication yesterday afternoon of its ‘Work Programme 2023’ it became clear that the European Commission is breaking a political promise made two years ago to address the export of pesticides that are deemed too dangerous for human health in the EU and are therefore banned, but nevertheless exported on a massive scale to third countries like Brazil.

Rumours abound that a key piece of legislation aimed at protecting citizens and the environment from toxic chemicals is about to be kicked into the long grass.

Ten civil society groups have published a report urging the EU to reject an upcoming proposal by the European Commission (EC) on the certification of carbon removals. The report concludes that this proposal is just another way for the oil and gas industry to keep fossil fuels flowing, risking catastrophic consequences.

The very financial sector that funds pollution through massive investments has been allowed to take care of the problem themselves. It is deeply worrying that groups like the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) have captured the agenda of climate finance at the COP; and urgent to remove them from this privileged role.

Civil society groups urge the EU to reject an upcoming proposal by the European Commission on the certification of carbon removals. The new report demonstrates how the oil and gas industry uses it as part of their flawed ‘net zero’ plans to keep fossil fuels flowing, risking catastrophic climate impacts.

Welcome to a new autumn episode of EU Watchdog Radio. In this episode we will discuss the re-launch of one of CEO's flagship initiatives to create more transparency in EU decision making: LobbyFacts.eu. This tool was created by CEO and German sister organisation LobbyControl in 2015 and has now been improved and re-launched.

A significant number of European scientists active in biotechnology research, are actively lobbying for deregulating new gene editing techniques; While at the same time they have direct or indirect vested and undisclosed interests in the marketing of plants derived from those techniques via patents, patent applications or via links with the seed industry. That is revealed today by a new report commissioned by the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament: ‘ Behind the smokescreen. Vested interests of EU scientists lobbying for GMO deregulation’.

The EU’s green ambitions are in great jeopardy. The agribusiness industry is using the cost-of-living crisis as an excuse to push stronger EU environmental legislation off the table and weaken already existing legislation. For instance, they are pushing against tighter pesticides rules and in favour of relaxing GMO rules. But the lobby is increasingly driven by GM researchers and institutes with links to industry or with vested interests. The Commission seems to be listening to these pro-deregulation voices and a proposal to change EU GMO rules is in the works.

NGOs are urgently demanding that proposed EU chemicals regulatory reform stays on track.