European Food Safety Authority
Stephen Robb on 27 Jun 2021
Industry backs new gene-editing technology for potato breeding
Four key European industry bodies have backed the use of new genomic plant breeding techniques to develop new potato varieties
Andy Doyle on 23 Jun 2021
EU glyphosate assessment dismisses many negative claims
An internal EU draft report by four member state competent authorities on the safety of glyphosate has dismissed most of the negative claims made against the active.
Siobhán Walsh on 13 Apr 2021
Pesticide residue levels safe in EU - EFSA
The EFSA has suggested that the number of samples taken on different commodities be revisited.
Stephen Robb on 14 Feb 2021
European Commission considering the use of caffeine as an insecticide
The European Food Safety Authority is reviewing an application to allow caffeine to be used as an insecticide and molluscicide.
Hannah Quinn-Mulligan on 24 Jun 2020
Breaking: Rosderra exports to China suspended
One of the major pig plants has been de-listed from exporting to China.
Stephen Robb on 22 Apr 2020
Crop Protection: Diquat withdrawal requires haulm desiccation rethink
Stephen Robb looks at the options facing potato growers for managing and desiccating haulms in the absence of diquat.
Stephen Robb on 19 Apr 2020
4.5% of foods tested in EU in 2018 contain pesticide levels exceeding MRLs
The annual report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found 4.5% of EU food samples contain pesticide levels exceeding legal limits.
Barry Cassidy on 22 Mar 2020
European Food Safety Authority issues warning over fake letter
The German and European food safety authorities have said that a fake letter was sent to supermarkets about the coronavirus.
Amy Forde on 11 Mar 2020
No evidence that food can transmit coronavirus
The EFSA is closely monitoring the coronavirus situation.
Amy Forde on 11 Mar 2020
‘Positive findings’ on antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals
Marta Hugas, EFSA’s chief scientist, said the positive findings in food-producing animals are encouraging because they are a sign of improvement.
Stephen Robb on 23 Jan 2020
Long read: a look back on the story of neonicotinoids in Europe
As another neonicotinoid active loses registration in the EU this week, we look back at the developments of this controversial group of pesticides over the past decade.
Stephen Robb on 14 Jan 2020
Listen: EU re-approval process for glyphosate kicks off - here’s the timeline
Stephen Robb talks to Bayer’s Mark Buckingham at the 2020 Ulster Arable Conference about the approval process for glyphosate in the EU. Approval for the active currently runs out in 2022.
Andy Doyle on 02 Oct 2019
US authority says glyphosate ‘not likely’ to cause cancer
The United States Environmental Protection Agency says that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic.
Stephen Robb on 10 Jul 2019
Austria the first EU country to ban glyphosate
Glyphosate is set to be banned in Austria and the dates have been confirmed for final chlorothalonil sale and use. Stephen Robb and Andy Doyle write
Stephen Robb on 14 Jan 2019
MEPs to vote on blueprint to boost trust in the EU pesticides approval procedure
Plans to boost trust in the EU approval procedure for pesticides, by making it more transparent and accountable, will be put to a vote on Wednesday.
Barry Cassidy on 11 Jan 2019
Science not populism must be to the fore of pesticide debate – McGuinness
Ahead of a vote in the EU Parliament on Wednesday next, Mairead McGuinness MEP has said there is a danger EU pesticide policy could be over politicised.
Thomas Hubert on 02 Jan 2019
EU progress on food-borne diseases 'stalls'
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published new figures on disease outbreaks caused by bacteria and viruses in food and drink, with home kitchens and private wells high-risk areas.
Stephen Robb on 27 Dec 2018
UK metaldehyde ban – first signs of regulatory divergence from the EU?
Last week, the UK government moved to ban the use of products containing metaldehyde by 2020. With the active still approved for use in the EU, is this the first signs of UK regulatory divergence?
Stephen Robb on 11 Dec 2018
Potato industry to learn of CIPC decision this week
The fate of chlorpropham (CIPC) is set to be discussed at this week's SCoPAFF meeting in Brussels.
Letters to the Editor on 22 Aug 2018
Letter: 'putting faith in the scientific verdict on glyphosate'
"The golden age of glyphosate is coming to an end" – Gerry Coughlan, Kilnamanagh, Dublin.