Germany had to submit its national sustainability proposal to the European Commission three times before it was approved because its environmental measures were not considered strong enough. When the plan was finally approved, it had a couple of programs that saw almost no applications from farmers.  |  Getty Images

European farmers have not embraced green policies

International trade observer points out complex relationship between the EU and its national governments and producers

REGINA — The push for more sustainable agriculture policies in Europe is accentuating the complex relationship between member states and the European Commission, said a trade expert based in Brussels. Christina Kaul from Trade-Up, a network of international trade experts, said North Americans might view the EU as one big block but there is tremendous […] Read more

The farm protests that have pushed Europe to the brink this winter show how challenging it will be to devise programs that are both environmentally and financially sustainable.  |  Reuters/ Vincent West photo

Europe must find consensus on environmental policy

Many farmers in Europe are fed up and angry and showing it by getting in their tractors to form convoys clogging highways, blocking city centres and ports and demanding changes from their governments and the European Commission. Farmer protests in Europe are not uncommon. In France in particular, there is always an issue that prompts […] Read more