There are 100,000 fewer farms in France than in 2010.
Pxhere
The handing down of family farms is not only essential to ensure the long-term future of Europe’s agricultural sector, but also to steer it toward more sustainable practices.
Robert Melen/Alamy
Whether true or not, the UK’s political parties have failed to quash the perception that they prioritise cities.
Alexander Manzyuk/Shutterstock
Some people think the decision to impose higher tariffs is just an excuse used by the EU to keep protecting its own farmers.
Jolanda Aalbers / Shutterstock
Meat is cheaper than it should be – and alternatives are more expensive.
EPA-EFE/Valentin Flauraud
Green reforms are piling additional pressure on farmers struggling to make ends meet.
Farmers gather on Luxembourg Square in Brussels, close to the European Parliament.
Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP
The end of CAP quotas has forced European farmers to compete with each other. The result: lower incomes, greater uncertainty and less bargaining power with distributors.
European farmers took various demands to Brussels on February 1, 2024, clogging the streets with 1,300 tractors as EU leaders met for a summit.
Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP
At the farmers’ protests in Brussels in February, there were some who demanded for authorities to cut back red tape, while others rallied against market concentration. But such a polarisation isn’t insurmountable.
A mannequin in a coffin illustrates the distress of many farmers who have been demonstrating for several days on the A7. Photo taken on 24 January near Montélimar.
Sylvain Thomas/AFP
Why are French farmers blocking the roads? An academic who has been studying discontent within the farming world since 2019 provides some clues.
F Armstrong Photography / Shutterstock
Migrant workers, despite being an essential part of the European agricultural workforce, are systematically exploited.
Farmland birds like the corn bunting have seen their numbers plummet since 1980.
Aurélien Audevard
Insect-eating birds such as swifts and yellow wagtails are particularly vulnerable.
Methane leaks across oil and gas supply chains are speeding up climate change.
Hkhtt HJ/Shutterstock
Major sources, like oil and gas ‘super-emitters’, are almost entirely neglected by regulations.
The RSPB, National Trust and Wildlife Trust have a combined 8 million members.
Chedko/Shutterstock
Environmental groups have criticised the government’s approach to nature – but what is this approach and why is it concerning?
DFID - UK Department for International Development
Europe’s forests are growing, but tropical areas are losing tree cover at a massive scale due to EU demand for imported products. Here’s how to redress the imbalance.
Fleeced?
Sam Carter/Unsplash
The basic payments scheme that sustains 90% of farmers will be gone by 2028, but the reductions are biting already.
CW Images/Alamy Stock Photo
A new survey serves up a tall order for UK agricultural policy outside the EU.
Grazing cattle in wood pastures could be a win-win for food growers and the environment.
Graham Durham/Unsplash
Alternative farming models, like wood pasture grazing, would allow the UK government to maintain food production while regenerating ecosystems.
Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock
The €24 billion spent supporting farm incomes in richer regions could more than cover the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy.
Rick Barrett/Unsplash
Public money for public goods sounds great, but the reality could look very different.
Ruth Little
Sweeping changes are in store for British farming, but they’re not guaranteed to benefit struggling ecosystems.
Felipe Trueba/EPA
Green parties across Europe scored an all-time high in the European Parliament elections. Now, they’ll seek key reform on agriculture and trade – and could be kingmakers for Juncker’s replacement.