Alan Matthews
@alanmatthews.bsky.social
Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland with interests in agricultural policy, trade, climate and Brexit.
Important study for the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament examines the debate around 'mirror clauses' applying sustainability standards to EU imports www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en...
'Mirroring': The scope and limitations of EU trade agreements and autonomous actions | Think Tank | European Parliament
'Mirroring': The scope and limitations of EU trade agreements and autonomous actions
www.europarl.europa.eu
November 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Important study for the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament examines the debate around 'mirror clauses' applying sustainability standards to EU imports www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en...
My paper with Alex Gohin on “The European Union-Mercosur Association Agreement: Implications for the EU Livestock Sector” has just been published online in the Journal of Agricultural Economics onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author..., with perfect timing as the Commission proceeds with ratification
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 29, 2025 at 11:51 AM
My paper with Alex Gohin on “The European Union-Mercosur Association Agreement: Implications for the EU Livestock Sector” has just been published online in the Journal of Agricultural Economics onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author..., with perfect timing as the Commission proceeds with ratification
Imre Ferto has written an illuminating blog post on the UK Agricultural Economics Society website on how Artificial Intelligence is transforming economics research lnkd.in/drki-MDR. It made me realise how much there is to learn, but also the potential to make significant advances in knowledge.
LinkedIn
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lnkd.in
September 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Imre Ferto has written an illuminating blog post on the UK Agricultural Economics Society website on how Artificial Intelligence is transforming economics research lnkd.in/drki-MDR. It made me realise how much there is to learn, but also the potential to make significant advances in knowledge.
This deep analysis of what the Commission's CAP proposals mean for environmental and climate action by farmers suggests there will be far less emphasis on these objectives in the next CAP ieep.eu/publications...
The post 2027 CAP and MFF proposals for the EU; first reflections on their environmental implications - IEEP AISBL
This briefing provides initial reflections on whether they provide the mechanisms and scale of funding needed to drive progress to meeting the EU’s sustainability objectives and targets for the coming...
ieep.eu
August 13, 2025 at 9:33 PM
This deep analysis of what the Commission's CAP proposals mean for environmental and climate action by farmers suggests there will be far less emphasis on these objectives in the next CAP ieep.eu/publications...
Many news media today have picked up this study linking weather extremes with food price spikes by examining individual products and not just aggregate food prices, open access iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
July 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Many news media today have picked up this study linking weather extremes with food price spikes by examining individual products and not just aggregate food prices, open access iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
This valuable analysis of the instability in the European Parliament by the Jacques Delors Institute one year after the last election and its impact on EU decision-making is well worth reading, very well informed and many useful if unsettling insights institutdelors.eu/en/publicati....
One year after the elections, a deeply unstable European Parliament - Institut Jacques Delors
institutdelors.eu
July 16, 2025 at 11:39 AM
This valuable analysis of the instability in the European Parliament by the Jacques Delors Institute one year after the last election and its impact on EU decision-making is well worth reading, very well informed and many useful if unsettling insights institutdelors.eu/en/publicati....
This paper 'Trade aspects of the Strategic Dialogue on the future of the EU agriculture and the impact of trade on the competitiveness and sustainability of European agriculture' for the European Parliament's International Trade Committee may be of interest www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en...
Trade aspects of the Strategic Dialogue on the future of the EU agriculture and the impact of trade on the competitiveness and sustainability of European agriculture | Think Tank | European Parliament
Trade aspects of the Strategic Dialogue on the future of the EU agriculture and the impact of trade on the competitiveness and sustainability of European agriculture
www.europarl.europa.eu
June 24, 2025 at 2:24 PM
This paper 'Trade aspects of the Strategic Dialogue on the future of the EU agriculture and the impact of trade on the competitiveness and sustainability of European agriculture' for the European Parliament's International Trade Committee may be of interest www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en...
EAFRD fi-compass has published a comprehensive analysis (190 pages) of insurance and risk management tools for EU agriculture, providing recommendations on how to improve access to finance and mitigate climate risks www.fi-compass.eu/library/mark...
Insurance and Risk Management Tools for Agriculture in the EU
Climate related risks are a significant source of uncertainty for agricultural production, farm resilience, and the broader bioeconomy value chain. There is growing evidence that climate change is inc...
www.fi-compass.eu
June 2, 2025 at 11:42 AM
EAFRD fi-compass has published a comprehensive analysis (190 pages) of insurance and risk management tools for EU agriculture, providing recommendations on how to improve access to finance and mitigate climate risks www.fi-compass.eu/library/mark...
EAFRD fi-compass publishes 190-page overview of insurance and risk management tools for EU agriculture, covering climate risks to 2050, EU agricultural insurance schemes and their performance www.fi-compass.eu/library/mark...
Insurance and Risk Management Tools for Agriculture in the EU
Climate related risks are a significant source of uncertainty for agricultural production, farm resilience, and the broader bioeconomy value chain. There is growing evidence that climate change is…
www.fi-compass.eu
June 2, 2025 at 7:35 AM
EAFRD fi-compass publishes 190-page overview of insurance and risk management tools for EU agriculture, covering climate risks to 2050, EU agricultural insurance schemes and their performance www.fi-compass.eu/library/mark...
Reposted by Alan Matthews
As the EU Budget Conference 2025 kicks off, Agora Agriculture outlines policy options for a simpler and more impactful agricultural spending under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
The Commission aspires towards a simpler, more focused budget better delivering on 🇪🇺 policy objectives. 🧵
The Commission aspires towards a simpler, more focused budget better delivering on 🇪🇺 policy objectives. 🧵
May 20, 2025 at 4:08 PM
As the EU Budget Conference 2025 kicks off, Agora Agriculture outlines policy options for a simpler and more impactful agricultural spending under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
The Commission aspires towards a simpler, more focused budget better delivering on 🇪🇺 policy objectives. 🧵
The Commission aspires towards a simpler, more focused budget better delivering on 🇪🇺 policy objectives. 🧵
I look forward to taking part in this Visionary webinar May 30 on the potential for economic instruments to drive sustainability in the dairy sector, details and registration here visionary-project.eu/events/visio...
VISIONARY Webinar: Economic Instruments for Innovative and Sustainable Dairy Systems – Insights for Policy and Business | VISIONARY
visionary-project.eu
May 15, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I look forward to taking part in this Visionary webinar May 30 on the potential for economic instruments to drive sustainability in the dairy sector, details and registration here visionary-project.eu/events/visio...
OECD working paper provides literature review of effectiveness of GHG emissions mitigation measures in AFOLU sector in G20 countries, while also noting negative social and economic effects www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
www.oecd.org
May 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
OECD working paper provides literature review of effectiveness of GHG emissions mitigation measures in AFOLU sector in G20 countries, while also noting negative social and economic effects www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
Reposted by Alan Matthews
This is no trade agreement, but only the potential concept of a possible plan for an eventual trade agreement. Both sides are playing each other. The key provision is this:
"Both the United States and the United Kingdom recognize that this document does not constitute a legally binding agreement."
"Both the United States and the United Kingdom recognize that this document does not constitute a legally binding agreement."
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
May 9, 2025 at 6:11 AM
This is no trade agreement, but only the potential concept of a possible plan for an eventual trade agreement. Both sides are playing each other. The key provision is this:
"Both the United States and the United Kingdom recognize that this document does not constitute a legally binding agreement."
"Both the United States and the United Kingdom recognize that this document does not constitute a legally binding agreement."
The Commission will make a statement on the democratic legitimacy of the GMO authorisation procedure at the May plenary of the European Parliament - explanation of background here www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etud...
Democratic legitimacy of the GMO authorisation procedure | Think Tank | European Parliament
Democratic legitimacy of the GMO authorisation procedure
www.europarl.europa.eu
May 1, 2025 at 9:08 AM
The Commission will make a statement on the democratic legitimacy of the GMO authorisation procedure at the May plenary of the European Parliament - explanation of background here www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etud...
The Budget Committee of the European Parliament has prepared its draft report for the EP's position on the next MFF to be voted at the May plenary session. Calls for 'adequate and predictable funding' for the CAP but not necessarily additional funding www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/docume...
www.europarl.europa.eu
May 1, 2025 at 8:44 AM
The Budget Committee of the European Parliament has prepared its draft report for the EP's position on the next MFF to be voted at the May plenary session. Calls for 'adequate and predictable funding' for the CAP but not necessarily additional funding www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/docume...
Reposted by Alan Matthews
Russian ammonia flowing freely through Finland to the European markets. Wagons at the Kouvola railway station this morning.
April 24, 2025 at 5:39 AM
Russian ammonia flowing freely through Finland to the European markets. Wagons at the Kouvola railway station this morning.
The political economy of the EU fertiliser market is complex, given the competing interests of farmers and fertiliser producers, and the need for an overall reduction in nitrogen use. I discuss some ideas for a successful transition in this blog post capreform.eu/navigating-e...
Navigating EU fertiliser policy through turbulent times
The governance of nitrogen fertiliser markets in the European Union has long been shaped by a fundamental and persistent tension between the competing interests of farmers and domestic fertiliser prod...
capreform.eu
April 27, 2025 at 1:37 PM
The political economy of the EU fertiliser market is complex, given the competing interests of farmers and fertiliser producers, and the need for an overall reduction in nitrogen use. I discuss some ideas for a successful transition in this blog post capreform.eu/navigating-e...
The EU's dependence on imports of nitrogenous fertilisers and the increased share of Russia in 2024 are a growing source of concern. My blog post discusses capreform.eu/import-depen...
Import dependence for nitrogen supply
Nitrogen is a critical input to agricultural production. In the EU, approximately half of this nutrient is supplied from organic livestock-derived sources while the other half comes from mineral nitro...
capreform.eu
April 22, 2025 at 9:17 PM
The EU's dependence on imports of nitrogenous fertilisers and the increased share of Russia in 2024 are a growing source of concern. My blog post discusses capreform.eu/import-depen...
I am reposting my blog post from Feb 27 on impact of Trump tariffs on EU agrifood exports to US. My analysis still stands, though it seems applying retaliatory tariffs on US spirits is not as simple as I thought capreform.eu/trump-ii-tar...
Trump II tariffs and the EU agri-food sector
That the US now intends to impose additional tariffs of 25% on EU exports (along with those of other countries) is now stated US policy following remarks President Trump made at his first cabinet meet...
capreform.eu
April 8, 2025 at 8:58 PM
I am reposting my blog post from Feb 27 on impact of Trump tariffs on EU agrifood exports to US. My analysis still stands, though it seems applying retaliatory tariffs on US spirits is not as simple as I thought capreform.eu/trump-ii-tar...
COPA-COGECA asks Commission to dismiss the various AgETS options presented in Ecologic Institute, IEEP and Trinomincs study published Nov 2023 based on polluter pays principle and instead focus on technological solutions and promotion of voluntary carbon markets
copa-cogeca.eu
April 7, 2025 at 7:07 PM
COPA-COGECA asks Commission to dismiss the various AgETS options presented in Ecologic Institute, IEEP and Trinomincs study published Nov 2023 based on polluter pays principle and instead focus on technological solutions and promotion of voluntary carbon markets
I weigh up pros and cons of merging the CAP with other funds in the MFF and conclude that largely maintaining the status quo is the preferred option capreform.eu/fitting-the-.... Its a long read, but summary is in the Conclusions.
Fitting the CAP into the next MFF long-term budget
The Commission Communication on The road to the next multiannual financial framework published in February 2025 put forward several proposals for the reform of the MFF structure prior to the formal le...
capreform.eu
April 6, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I weigh up pros and cons of merging the CAP with other funds in the MFF and conclude that largely maintaining the status quo is the preferred option capreform.eu/fitting-the-.... Its a long read, but summary is in the Conclusions.
JRC working paper projects EU population changes forward to 2040 by type of region - urban, intermediate and rural, with remote rural regions experiencing both ageing and population decline, chart shows trends by NUTS3 regions joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and...
April 5, 2025 at 12:18 PM
JRC working paper projects EU population changes forward to 2040 by type of region - urban, intermediate and rural, with remote rural regions experiencing both ageing and population decline, chart shows trends by NUTS3 regions joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and...
Shocking and depressing to read about this @Wageningen University Research how war in Ukraine is damaging its fertile soil with long-term impacts on its potential agricultural productivity www.wur.nl/en/news-wur/...
Bombs, mines and chemicals: how agricultural soils in Ukraine have been ravaged by war
After the war in Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of hectares will have to be surveyed and demined and countless craters will have to be refilled. A recent study by Wageningen University & Research…
www.wur.nl
March 30, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Shocking and depressing to read about this @Wageningen University Research how war in Ukraine is damaging its fertile soil with long-term impacts on its potential agricultural productivity www.wur.nl/en/news-wur/...
A University of Reading study lists recommendations for regulatory tools to achieve a healthy and sustainable diet in the UK, notes achieving healthy status requires focus on food environments while sustainability requires focus on changing producer behaviour
Regulatory tools for a healthy and sustainable diet - CentAUR
University Publications
centaur.reading.ac.uk
March 24, 2025 at 7:55 AM
A University of Reading study lists recommendations for regulatory tools to achieve a healthy and sustainable diet in the UK, notes achieving healthy status requires focus on food environments while sustainability requires focus on changing producer behaviour
Interesting when Carlsberg and Boston Consulting Group make a plea on behalf of the food and drink industry for swift action to accelerate the shift to regenerative agriculture to improve climate resilience and safeguard biodiversity
Call for EU Action on Regenerative Agriculture
Carlsberg Group has partnered with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and One Planet Business for Biodiversity (OP2B) to launch Sowing Change, a report outlining six actionable recommendations to…
www.carlsberggroup.com
March 18, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Interesting when Carlsberg and Boston Consulting Group make a plea on behalf of the food and drink industry for swift action to accelerate the shift to regenerative agriculture to improve climate resilience and safeguard biodiversity