Brexit will result in Britain exiting the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy. It will have to decide whether subsidies to farmers should be retained, or reformed. In the second part of this groundbreaking investigation a team of investigative journalists from across Europe - publishing with THE ECOLOGIST - assess how effective the environmental mechanisms of CAP really are.
Almost a trillion Euros in taxpayers' money is handed to EU farmers as part of the Common Agricultural Policy. The money is supposed to leverage environmental practices. But an international team of investigative journalists, today publishing with THE ECOLOGIST, has found the cash actually feeds significant pollution
The government’s consultation on future farming policy in England ended last week. Many see it as a unique opportunity to make some positive changes - not least in the provision of information about differences in quality and production systems, says PETER MELCHETT of the Soil Association
Villagers are living in fear of foreign investors exploiting their natural resources as Liberia declares itself 'open for business'. Companies are decimating trees and threatening the livelihoods and culture of these rural communities. GAURAV MADAN documents what life is like for the people of Sinoe County in Liberia.
Bee-killing insecticides will face a near total ban in Europe following a vote by member states in favour of proposals by the European Commission. The UK government supported the ban, which it says it will maintain after Brexit. CATHERINE EARLY reports
We are told there is a choice between forest and food. But in reality it is industrial processes that are destroying sustainable farming and the ecosystem. KIRTANA CHANDRASEKARAN discusses a new report from Friends of the Earth International which suggests agroecology is an alternative that can respect people and planet
Scientists from the University of Sheffield have identified factors which are driving the evolution of herbicide resistance in crops – something which could also have an impact on medicine as well as agriculture. BRENDAN MONTAGUE reports
Animals bred for meat now consume a third of all vegetable crops. This has increased dramatically since a ban on pigswill following the Foot and Mouth outbreak in the UK. But it is an appalling waste. Japan can show the way to feeding pigs our waste food which is safe, argues the Green MEP MOLLY SCOTT CATO
A total of 60 civil society organisations from Indonesia and Europe have signed a joint statement laying out serious concerns with the EU-Indonesia trade agreement. These behind-closed-doors trade negotiations - like CETA and TTIP - jeopardise an equitable and just future. KATIE HODGETTS explains why
Appalling conditions have been found at a farm supplying meat to a Spanish sausage brand stocked at Morrisons and high street butchers. JAVIER MORENO, the executive director of Animal Equality Spain, argues that this is not an isolated incident. He hopes the latest undercover investigation could be a turning point for animal welfare
Trends shaping consumerism, transport and farming could provide answers for some of the world’s sustainability problems, according to the think tank Forum for the Future. CATHERINE EARLY reports
'Climate smart agriculture' has become the buzz phrase at high level international policy discussions. But now there is a struggle over its definition. Is it the latest manifestation for corporate social responsibility or the title of a manifesto for real, grassroots led, change, ask PETER NEWELL, JENNIFER CLAPP and ZOE BRENT
Michael Gove, the environment secretary, will today announce plans to radically reform the payment of farm subsidies - in the wake of Brexit. If the promise is kept and the changes implemented well these changes could support a growing minority of farmers attempting to end soil depletion and economic destruction.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Agroecology for Food and Farming has warned poor international trade deals made following Brexit could have a significant impact on British farmers - and in turn the regional and global environment. BRENDAN MONTAGUE reports.
Britain is known as a nation of animal lovers. It is the birthplace of Watership Down, Peter Rabbit - and Animal Farm. But the meat, cosmetics and other animal dependent industries are also a large part of the British economy. Until now, EU regulations have improved animal welfare. As the country prepares for Brexit, HELEN BROWNING asks whether animal sentience will remain recognised by UK law.
