Agriculture and Food

Iran reportedly moves to shut Strait of Hormuz after US attacks
The Iranian parliament backed a measure to close the critical shipping route in response to U.S. airstrikes on nuclear sites in Iran, state media reported

Brussels resists pressure from EU capitals to shield exports in US trade fight

Top Bulgarian official says he’ll intervene to stop food price spikes before eurozone entry

Prosecutor implicates two Greek ministers in huge EU farm fraud

Hands off our money, farmers say as EU plans budget shake-up

Britain’s got an EU deal — but the Brexit red tape keeps coming

India eyes retaliation against EU, UK carbon border taxes
Turkey draws line of marine influence right down the Aegean Sea
Greek officials complained Turkey’s plan split the Aegean Sea in half, claiming maritime zones of numerous Greek islands.
EU and Australia to negotiate security and defense partnership
Brussels and Canberra also committed to advancing free-trade negotiations.
EU fines Greece €400M over farm aid debacle
Brussels imposes massive fine after finding systemic failings in Greece’s management of farm subsidies from 2016 to 2023.
The world just got closer to an ocean-saving treaty
France claims victory as enough nations promise to ratify the high seas treaty despite opposition from Trump’s America.
Banned snacks pulled from Eurostar departures area at Brussels Midi station
POLITICO reported this week that a duty free shop was still selling EU pork products that could land travelers with a £5,000 fine.
UK Eurostar passengers risk £5K fines over banned snacks
Travelers heading to London are being encouraged to load up on pork products at Brussels duty free despite U.K. foot-and-mouth rules.
Brussels cooks up side deal to melt French Mercosur resistance
A last-minute push is on to add an ‘annex’ to the trade pact with South America to reassure France — and its farmers.
5 things to know about the global ocean summit in Nice
The world’s oceans are sick. Global leaders are in the French Riviera this week to attempt to agree on the cure.
EU conjures up surprise law to govern use of ocean resources
The unexpected Ocean Act will cover everything from fishing to tourism to defense — but details are scant.
Lula calls on Macron to ‘open your heart’ on Mercosur
There’s bromance in the air, but tensions at the heart of the relationship between the two leaders.
Brussels asks EU countries to use less water
Countries would set their own water efficiency targets under the proposal, which would not be legally binding.
EU slaps mega fine on Delivery Hero in first no-poach labor cartel probe
Food delivery firms’ boxing-out strategy lands them in hot water with Brussels enforcers.
UK puts new Brexit checks on hold while it negotiates agri-food deal
Problematic checks on fresh produce effectively delayed indefinitely.
US court strikes down Trump’s tariffs on countries around the world
The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled unanimously that the president overstepped his powers in imposing the tariffs on dozens of trading partners, most of which he’s since paused.
EU officially retires its ‘no cherry-picking’ Brexit line
A top EU diplomat described the pithy analogy as “no longer helpful.”
Death by dung: How Brussels failed to save Europe’s waters from a farm waste deluge
Nitrate pollution is destroying Europe’s aquatic ecosystems. Three decades after the EU started regulating it, there has been almost no improvement.
Greece shuts down agency at center of probe into massive EU farm fraud
European prosecutors are investigating a multi-million euro scam in which EU funds were allegedly channeled to non-farmers.
Brazil farm lobby to EU: French retailers are illegally disparaging our meat
Brussels finalized a trade deal with the South American Mercosur trade pact in December.
Europe is flushing its water down the drain
As climate change brings heatwaves, droughts and sudden bursts of torrential rain, much of Europe’s leaky water infrastructure is dangerously underprepared for the coming storm.
The EU’s water crisis by the numbers
Brussels says it wants to save Europe’s waters. Here’s what it’s up against.
EU farm ministers vow to fight Brussels’ budget shakeup
“The single fund would be the end,” Portugal warns, as EU agriculture ministers resist a Commission push to overhaul farm and regional funding.
European prosecutor slams ‘attacks’ and ‘intimidation’ against Greek farm fraud probe
Staff at the Greek agency responsible for doling out agricultural funds obstructed EU prosecutors in a corruption probe.
Tractors parked outside French National Assembly as protests return to Paris
Farmers are taking to the streets to support a proposal to slash some agricultural red tape.
Trump delays EU tariff hike until July 9
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Sunday he’s granting an extension to the EU on the timeline to strike a deal to avoid his sweeping 50 percent tariffs …