Natasha Foote
@natashafoote.bsky.social
1.3K followers 150 following 57 posts
Freelance agrifood journalist & moderator 🌱🌿 @arc2020.bsky.social, formerly Euractiv Drop me a line at [email protected]
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natashafoote.bsky.social
Curious about the new EU vision for agriculture and food? Luckily I have just the thing for you - here's what we know so far, including when it will be presented, what is likely to be inside, and next steps in my first piece for @cleanenergywire 👇
cleanenergywire.bsky.social
Q&A: What will be on the menu for the EU’s Vision for Agriculture & Food?

EU Commission set to present roadmap on future of #agriculture & #food policy, amid rising tensions within the sector

What it's about:
cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/q... #agrifood
natashafoote.bsky.social
Would you believe that the #HandsOffNature omnibus has been stopped by… administrative burden

While the police check every single paper, I’m on board along with @wwf.eu @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social & others hearing about the EU’s political U turns & why it’s driving policy in the wrong direction 🚌
natashafoote.bsky.social
All agri folks right now a day on from the announcement of the new CAP… without the publication of the actual proposal

Raises serious questions of how journalists are supposed to scrutinise what is on the table when all we have for now is the Commission’s spin on things?
a man is yawning while talking on a cell phone with the word show written above him
ALT: a man is yawning while talking on a cell phone with the word show written above him
media.tenor.com
natashafoote.bsky.social
Update: seems like the EU budget proposal and the new CAP proposal will come on the same day, on 16 July

Hope no agri stakeholders have planned a holiday in July…
natashafoote.bsky.social
Some dates for the diary:

The new EU budget proposal (MFF) will come on 16 July, and will be followed closely by the new CAP post-2027 reform proposal. Not clear yet if it will be a 'two for the price of one' deal on the same day, but it will be in quick succession
natashafoote.bsky.social
🚨 If you read one thing this weekend, make it this

Huge scoop from @eleonoravasques.bsky.social unveiling Israel's plans - confirmed by govt sources to be one of the options currently on the table - to take over Gaza after defeating Hamas

www.euronews.com/2025/05/16/e...
Exclusive: Israeli proposal details possible post-Hamas Gaza plan
A document reviewed by Euronews reveals one possible avenue Israel could explore to create a new entity in Gaza post-Hamas.
www.euronews.com
natashafoote.bsky.social
Some dates for the diary:

The new EU budget proposal (MFF) will come on 16 July, and will be followed closely by the new CAP post-2027 reform proposal. Not clear yet if it will be a 'two for the price of one' deal on the same day, but it will be in quick succession
natashafoote.bsky.social
And I’m not the only one thinking this
natashafoote.bsky.social
Sorry, is @ec.europa.eu actually kicking off its Agri Vision conference with a manel? Visionary…

#EUAgriVision
natashafoote.bsky.social
I’ve been in South Africa this week to learn about the impacts of the EU’s trade in banned pesticides on the ground

This is Dina, who used to work on vineyards before her lungs were too damaged to continue working, and this is her message to EU policymakers
natashafoote.bsky.social
🚨 The EU has taken another step towards loosening its rules on genetic technologies with today’s Council vote setting the ball rolling towards deregulation 🧬

More to follow, but I already outlined what the next steps will be in my latest for @arc2020.bsky.social www.arc2020.eu/new-vote-cou...
New vote could take new GMOs one step closer to EU fields and plates
EU countries are teetering on the brink of an agreement which would take new GMOs one step closer to our plates and several steps back from current protections governing the technology. What’s happeni...
www.arc2020.eu
natashafoote.bsky.social
So thoughtful of the Council to schedule this treat for my birthday
arc2020.bsky.social
⚠️The Council may be on the verge of a major decision that could bring new GMOs one step closer to EU field & plates, with a vote reportedly scheduled for 14 March.

➡️ @natashafoote.bsky.social has the latest on the state of play incl. the 3 countries to watch: www.arc2020.eu/new-vote-cou...
New vote could take new GMOs one step closer to EU fields and plates
EU countries are teetering on the brink of an agreement which would take new GMOs one step closer to our plates and several steps back from current protections governing the technology. What’s happeni...
www.arc2020.eu
natashafoote.bsky.social
🚨EU countries are teetering on the brink of an agreement which would take new genomic techniques one step closer to our fields & plates

Who are the key players to watch & what does this mean for next steps? All you need to know in my latest for @arc2020.bsky.social 🧬

www.arc2020.eu/new-vote-cou...
New vote could take new GMOs one step closer to EU fields and plates
EU countries are teetering on the brink of an agreement which would take new GMOs one step closer to our plates and several steps back from current protections governing the technology. What’s happeni...
www.arc2020.eu
natashafoote.bsky.social
🧬 Looks like EU countries are gearing up to vote on their position on new genomic techniques on 14 March, which is not the birthday present I asked for this year

The blocking minority seems to be just about still holding for the moment, but it's thin
natashafoote.bsky.social
Une agriculture compétitive, équitable et durable pour l’Europe (dans cet ordre là)
natashafoote.bsky.social
🚨On the EU's plans to loosen rules on new genomic techniques - EU countries are edging much closer to an agreement

Sources say 🇧🇪 (who could help tip the ⚖️) is trying to support, but is still stuck on a few points on patents

It won’t go to a Coreper vote before 12 March
natashafoote.bsky.social
Agri Commissioner: "Eco-schemes are the proof that incentives rather than imposition is working in the CAP"

Meanwhile...
natashafoote.bsky.social
[email protected] puts his finger on the pulse - or lackthereof, asking if the announcement of the EU's vision marks the official death of the Farm to Fork

“The way of working has clearly changed towards those reductions that are needed," Commissioner @CHansenEU replies
natashafoote.bsky.social
"It is not acceptable that we prohibit the use of certain plant protection products inside the EU, but the food produced with that very same product is still coming in. Not only is that unfair competition, but if it is a threat to human health or bees here, it is also a threat outside the EU"
natashafoote.bsky.social
Apparently the Commission just said it's an old leak, but it's dated 10 Feb. But with the long internal process, it means it's pretty much oven ready

Unless they rip it up & start again, I can't see anything revolutionary coming out of this. If I were in the dialogue, I'd be a bit pissed
natashafoote.bsky.social
First thoughts is that it’s like reading a knock-off Farm to Fork with less ambition

I don’t see anything truly innovative in there, besides some tougher language on trade and a few new strategies?

Curious to hear your thoughts