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The article reports on the call of the National Farmers Union (NFU) to approach with caution the European Commission (EC) plan for a fundamental transformation of agriculture to secure natural resources in the European Union (EU) Efficient Roadmap published on September 20, 2011. The plan recommends soil erosion targets. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform proposals are expected to be influenced by the roadmap. Of concern to the NFU are the unintended consequences of the plan.

The article discusses statements of the agriculture committee of Members of the European Parliament (MEP) on the need to protect farmers and consumers from unfair practices. Topics include failure of voluntary codes of practice to tackle the imbalance of power; need to boost farmers' bargaining power; views of Irish MEP Mairead McGuinness on fairness in the supply chain; and views of Spanish farm minister Isabel Garcia Tejerina on the lack of Europe-wide regulations for food sector.

The article focuses on a warning issued by the Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G) group regarding proposals to change the European Union rules on organic farming. Topics discussed include OF&G's claim that the proposed change may force producers to quit, and their fears regarding a new requirement for all organic retailers to become certified. Also mentioned are concerns raised by Austria's agriculture minister, Andre Rupprechter, over the proposals.

The article discusses a 2014 report on European Union (EU) bio-energy use and standards, published by Vienna University scientists and commissioned by international network Friends of the Earth. Topics explored include the significant need for land to address plans of increasing crop and wood use for fuel in the EU region, the land footprint calculation for EU bio-energy, and possible environmental consequences of land use changes such as nutrient pollution and land degradation.

The author offers information on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which is the main land-use programme of the European Union (EU). The CAP reform includes a scheme of direct payments linked to compliance with standards on food safety, animal welfare and environmental concerns. Also discussed are the Pillars 1 and Pillars, reform of the current round of funding for the CAP and the controversy over the greening of the CAP.

The article discusses the status of mandatory country of origin labeling for agricultural products by European Union (EU) members as of April 2011. It states that the issue will be voted on in July, but that as of April 19, Members of the European Parliament (MEP) failed to reach a consensus during the second reading of the Food Information to Consumers legislation. It reports that such labeling would be good for the British agricultural industry, and urges members to vote for its passing.