CEFS and EFFAT joint statement: the EU sugar industry matters
Presenting the conclusions of the High-Level Group on sugar at the working group meeting of the EU sugar sector social dialogue, representatives of the European Commission Directorate General for Agriculture & Rural Development once again offered no concrete, immediate actions to the most pressing question ever faced by the EU beet sugar sector: how to […]
CEFS' VISION FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS: 2019-2024
The EU sugar industry matters. Beet sugar production provides high-quality, remunerative jobs in some of the EU’s most vulnerable rural areas, reflecting a labour productivity that reached over 150,000 euros per employee in 2017, compared to 57,000 euros in the wider food and beverages industry. Although small in direct employment terms, EU sugar production generates […]
CONCESSIONS TO MERCOSUR TO PILE PRESSURE ON THE EU SUGAR SECTOR
MERCOSUR: EU offers its biggest ever concession on sugar in the context of a free trade agreement, as the sector remains mired in crisis. Sugar has again been the trade-off to conclude the deal; the latest in a series that have contributed to the closure of sugar factories across the EU. The overall sugar concession […]
CEFS ROUNDTABLE HIGHLIGHTS VITAL ROLE OF SUGAR PRODUCTION TO EU RURAL AREAS
The EU sugar sector is a vital and innovative sector, but obstacles remain to the development of new outlets for sugar beet. That was the key takeaway from the CEFS roundtable discussion that took place on 21 June in Berlin on the occasion of the annual CEFS congress. The discussion brought together CEFS President and […]
BIC and fifteen organisations set out joint Vision for Europe’s bioeconomy future – a circular bio-society
This Vision will establish a sustainable and competitive bio-based industry in the EU enabling a circular bio-society by 2050. In this circular bio-society, informed citizens choose a sustainable way of life, supporting an economy that couples economic growth with societal well-being and respect for the environment. The Vision focuses on four key drivers: Foster food […]
Open Letter to Member States on the EU Court Ruling on Mutagenesis
22 European organisations reiterate concern about the ECJ ruling on mutagenesis breeding & call upon Member States and the European Commission to initiate a legislative change that provides innovation-friendly rules. Download the .pdf here.
EU SUGAR MANUFACTURERS REACT TO THE EXTENSION OF THE BREXIT DEADLINE
EU sugar manufacturers welcome the agreement reached at yesterday’s European Council meeting to extend the UK’s membership of the European Union to 31 October 2019. For now, the risk of the UK falling out of the EU without a deal is diminished. But it is not eliminated. We hope strongly that cool heads will prevail […]
CEFS position on the bioeconomy
Sugar factories are bio-refineries that convert sugar beets into a range of processed agricultural and industrial products: sugar and other sweeteners produced using sugar, bioethanol, animal feed, biochemicals, and bioplastics, to name but a few. The EU sugar sector processes all available material, meaning almost no waste. In addition, energy consumption is kept as low […]