Food & agriculture

How do agribusiness corporations impact decisions on our food system?

Is the seed industry about to win a decisive victory in the battle over food chain control?

19.11.2013

One of the last hot topics in the European Parliament before the 2014 elections is a new set of rules on seeds marketing. This text is extremely important for all players in the food chain: seed savers, farmers and the seed industry of course, but also environmentalists, consumers and the agro-industry at large. The European Parliament has appointed a rapporteur on the issue, Italian MEP Sergio Silvestris (EPP) who is now co-hosting a dinner event with the European Seed Association (ESA), the seed industry's lobby group in Brussels.

Unhappy meal. The European Food Safety Authority's independence problem

23.10.2013

New report shows over half of the 209 scientists sitting on the EU food safety agency's panels have direct or indirect ties with the industries they are meant to regulate.

Looking for real transparency – an open letter to the European Commission’s Chief Scientist

17.10.2013

In this open letter CEO warns against a corporate attack on the precautionary principle. It asks Mrs Anne Glover to stick to her transparency commitments and request the industry to publish in full some toxicologic studies which are of crucial importance for public health.

The minimum EFSA can do to restore public trust

01.10.2013

Complete transparency of the decision-making process and public access is the minimum EFSA can do to restore public trust

EFSA's Transparency Initiative, Position of : APSODA, Cancer Prevention and Education Society, ClientEarth, Corporate Europe Observatory, Earth Open Source, European Environmental Bureau, Firab, Friends of the Earth Europe, GMWatch, GIET, Inf'OGM, PAN Europe, TestBiotech

Heated lobbying over Parliament’s agrofuel vote

16.09.2013

Food crops used to fuel cars are pushing up food prices and displacing production to elsewhere, with serious social and environmental consequences; yet fierce lobbying by the agrofuels industry is diluting and undermining any action taken, as the European Parliament's disappointing recent vote on the topic demonstrated.

Food for fuels? Last chance lobbying for the agrofuels industry

19.06.2013

As the European Parliament this week plans to vote on the Commission's proposed amendments to its agrofuels policy, we look at the range of lobby strategies the industry is employing against the amendments, from front groups and trips abroad for MEPs to scientific disinformation.

Closing in on our seeds

05.06.2013

For the first time in their history, European institutions will reform the entire package of legislation related to seed marketing. Since seeds are the starting point for the whole human food chain, this is hugely significant. From the very start of the process this policy initiative has been an unique opportunity for large seed companies to reinforce their control over a commercial seed supply system that they already largely dominate.

An open door for GMOs? – take action on the EU-US Free Trade Agreement

22.05.2013

At the end of June, the European Union and the US will officially launch negotiations for a new free trade agreement known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The plan is to create the world's largest free trade area, 'protect' investment and harmonize regulation. While appealing to big business, the trade treaty poses a serious threat for citizens on both sides of the Atlantic, as it could weaken labour, social, environmental and consumer protection standards.

Open letter on the conflicts of interest with the seed industry of a national expert seconded to DG SANCO

25.04.2013

To: Commissioner T. Borg

Cc: Commissioners D. Ciolos, J. Potočnik, Secretary General of the Commission C. Day

Dear Commissioner,

Pesticides against pollinators

11.04.2013

Private letters reveal Syngenta and Bayer’s furious lobbying against EU measures to save bees. Will the pesticide lobby succeed in convincing Member States to vote no to a ban?

Stop land grab in Hungary!

11.04.2013

From 5 to 8 April, a number of organisations came together in Budapest for the Food Sovereignty Programme meeting organised by Friends of the Earth International. At the end of the meeting the participants approved a statement supporting the struggle against land grab in Hungary. The following statement was issued by:

Action in Brussels on GMO risk assessment meeting

25.02.2013

This morning, about 40 activists and concerned citizens handed out flyers to participants to a closed-doors meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH), gathering representatives of the European Commission and Member States in the Borschette conference centre, rue Froissard 36 in Brussels.

Food & agriculture

Is the seed industry about to win a decisive victory in the battle over food chain control?

Unhappy meal. The European Food Safety Authority's independence problem

Looking for real transparency – an open letter to the European Commission’s Chief Scientist

The minimum EFSA can do to restore public trust

Complete transparency of the decision-making process and public access is the minimum EFSA can do to restore public trust

Heated lobbying over Parliament’s agrofuel vote

Food for fuels? Last chance lobbying for the agrofuels industry

Closing in on our seeds

An open door for GMOs? – take action on the EU-US Free Trade Agreement

Open letter on the conflicts of interest with the seed industry of a national expert seconded to DG SANCO

Pesticides against pollinators

Stop land grab in Hungary!

Action in Brussels on GMO risk assessment meeting

Help us stay independent