MEPs to grill European Commission over tweaks to EU-Morocco pact

Beijing rebukes EU over Taiwan vice-president’s visit to Parliament

Taiwan vice president makes surprise address at European Parliament amid China tensions

Germany is debating sex work again. Politicians call the country the 'brothel of Europe' and push the Nordic model – penalise buyers, not sex workers. Researcher Julia Wege welcomes the step, as currently many (migrant) women face exploitation + violence. Buying sex has become a “lifestyle product.”

EU Summit live: Here’s what to expect

EU opens door to Swiss participation in flagship programmes amid backlash in Bern

MEPs urge Metsola to rebuke Commission over Morocco trade deal

INTA chair Bernd Lange called the Commission’s use of provisional application on the Morocco trade deal “outrageous,” saying it sidelined MEPs and violated the updated framework agreement between Parliament and Commission. “When you have an agreement, you should stick to it.” Latest updates:

Turkey withdraws bid for EU protection of döner kebab

🚨 Scoop: The EU Commission is rushing to save its annulled deal with Morocco covering Western Sahara. Leaked docs show Brussels plans to swap Sahrawi consent for “verifiable benefits,” let Moroccan customs certify goods, and apply the deal before MEPs vote - a move insiders call a “fait accompli.”

Tilting at windmills: Berlin offer to buy out shrimp fishers sparks backlash

Germany creates National Security Council in historic first

Germany’s Reichsbürger: A heterogenous mix of monarchists, antisemites, esotericists & fascists plotting coups about storming parliaments, and calling the state a “company.” Now spreading abroad - growing bolder, often violent. Read more to untangle the mycelial network hiding in digital thickets.

Germany, Canada secure critical minerals pact to cut reliance on China

Former German vice-chancellor quits politics for academic career

Flying still cheaper than trains on most EU routes, study finds

From tide to table: Mussels in a sea of nanoplastics

Hamas hostage videos intensifies EU calls for Gaza ceasefire

Ukraine uncovers major corruption scheme in drone procurement [Promoted content]

🚜 EU farm chief Christophe Hansen will revisit strict pasture rules that force arable land by cowsheds to be converted into grazing. The rule has pushed many 🇩🇪 & 🇦🇹 organic farmers out of certification. Organic associations demand “flexibility” to avoid closures. Who let the cows out? 🐂

The farmer subsidy cut is almost twice what the Commission says

In 1929, Magritte painted “This is not as pipe” to argue that a label does not constitute the object 🎨 In 2025, Brussels is caught in a dilemma over representations and the defense of what is “real” 🌱🍣 🤔 Whether in art or at the supermarket, is a name ever just a name?

EU expert panel says no to potassium phosphonate as a fungicide in organic wine production. Some winegrowers warn: “The future viability of organic viticulture is at stake.” With copper-based fungicides also under review, the sector could soon be left without viable alternatives. 🧪🍇 Full story:

Climate extremes drive food price surge as farmer scepticism persists

Paris restricts copper use in farming, fueling EU debate over alternative fungicides

💸 EU plans 'super fund', squeezing the CAP. Officials say it's fair -farmers disagree. With cuts of 25–30% expected in the next MFF, I spoke to COPA-COGECA’s Elli Tsiforou + CEJA’s @meedendorppeter.bsky.social at the today's protests. Tractors will roll back in September. 🚜

As the EU budget presentation keeps the Brussels bubble on edge, the bloc’s farmers’ associations are protesting against the Commission’s proposal to merge the Common Agricultural Policy into a superfund. Plans to cut funding are “unacceptable,” a source told me. www.tickaroo.com/e/G2Y8LsaiJM...

Who else is excited for B-Day? We are running a live blog as the EU unveils its plans for its new 7-year budget 🤓 www.euractiv.com/section/econ...

Are EU farm ministers feeling '90s nostalgia? Reviving a 1991 procedure, Czech minister Výborný told me it's "the most practical and immediate solution to support our farmers." 21 countries back the move - aiming for faster access to banned pesticides amid increasing crop failure across the bloc.

Germany’s 16 agriculture ministers of the Länder have given Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer more clout in upcoming negotiations on the future of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.

“The German government is completely ignoring European environmental standards and thus risks infringement proceedings that can result in massive fines every day,” MEP @martinhaeusling.bsky.social told me. He has formally called on the European Commission to take action against Berlin.

The EU Green Deal is under fire. As Brussels moves to roll back key green laws, conservative ministers from 9 German states (Länder) now want the Nature Restoration Law scrapped too. The Green Deal is increasingly turning into a red flag.

Struggling to follow the MFF debate? Here’s how the EU's current €1.2 trillion budget is spent, and how it may (radically) change for 2028-2034 www.euractiv.com/section/econ...

Farmers and politicians in ‘honeymoon phase’ in Berlin – but tensions loom in Brussels

Farmers get wins in Berlin budget, eyeing to the CAP pot in Brussels

Berlin is pushing to scrap the material flow balance - a basic fertiliser tracking rule meant to curb nitrogen pollution. 🎁 Seen as a political gift to farmers, it comes despite EU pressure: Germany narrowly avoided infringement in 2023. Now Brussels may be watching again.

Germany's new government is courting Brazil to secure sign off for the EU-Mercosur trade deal, all while France is still finding allies to block it. That tees up a showdown between Europe’s two agricultural heavyweights over the future of the free trade pact with South America.