Family farming is the backbone of rural economies, according to Copa-Cogeca.

Europe’s cereal harvest for the year has fared marginally better than expected, though with huge variance between crops, leading agri-food groups have said.

THE formal introduction yesterday of the new European Union organic “Euro-leaf” symbol was welcomed by Minister of State Ciarán Cuffe.

THE European Commission was urged yesterday to exercise extreme caution in the way it manages the release of dairy products from intervention stocks onto the market.

NEW regulations adopted by the European Parliament on the use of plant protection products were given a guarded welcome yesterday by the Animal and Plant Health Association (APHA).

EUROPEAN Union farm leaders have warned that surging food prices represent a wake-up call for member-state Governments.

THE European Commission must support pig farmers while the market finds a new balance, COPA and COGECA, the European umbrella bodies for farmers and co-ops, have declared.