Latest news with #ClientEarth
Euronews
2 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Can Europe make ecological farming competitive?
Simplifying some of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) rules could save €1.58 billion per year for farmers and €210 million each year for member states, according to the European Commission. To achieve this goal, the EU executive has proposed easier payments for small farmers, including increasing the annual lump sum to €2,500, and more flexible environmental controls, namely for the conservation of peatlands, wetlands and watercourses. Farmers will also benefit from an easier mechanism to be reimbursed in the event of natural disasters or animal diseases and will have a single digital system to reduce bureaucracy. 'The aim is to make life easier for farmers, ultimately contributing to their livelihoods and well-being,' said Gerardo Fortuna, Euronews' agricultural policy reporter. "It is also clearly a response to the large-scale farmers' protests that we saw last year in Brussels and in other EU countries," the reporter said, referring to the long and sometimes violent wave of farmers' protests ahead of the 2024 European elections. Farmers are happy, but environmentalists say the measures will be counterproductive. The latter argue that less environmental protection could lead to more climate change, which could harm agriculture. "What we need to understand is that agriculture depends on nature. So when the EU has been delaying or eliminating environmental rules for several years, it is also putting the future of agriculture and farmers' jobs at risk," said Sarah Martin of environmental organisation Client Earth. However, the European farmers' federation, Copa-Cogeca, insists that "environmental objectives remain in the CAP" but the Commission has intervened in areas "that have proven unworkable for our farmers". In the 2021-2027 EU budget, the CAP received €386 billion, about a third of the total budget. For the 2028-2034 budget, the Commission advocates merging the CAP with the Cohesion Fund, which is used for regional development. The new financial instrument, called National and Regional Investment Partnerships, could be announced when the Commission unveils its EU budget proposal in July, and farmers are resisting the idea. 'Europe needs to invest in agriculture, with a strong fiscal increase in the face of inflation. We call for maintaining a common policy capable of guaranteeing a single market, investing to achieve the transition that society wants and, in fact, supporting a strategic sector such as agriculture,' said Patrick Pagani. The Client Earth officer agreed that investment in agriculture is important for food security, but said that the CAP does not contribute to this. 'We don't have the resilience to deal with natural disasters caused by intensive farming practices; nor to address the causes that put farmers in these situations, which are climate change, environmental degradation, loss of pollinators and so on,' said Sarah Martin. The European Parliament also opposes this idea and, in a recent resolution, demanded that the CAP fund remain autonomous and receive even more funding in the next budget. Watch the video here! Journalist: Isabel Marques da Silva Content production: Pilar Montero López Video production: Zacharia Vigneron Graphism: Loredana Dumitru Editorial coordination: Ana Lázaro Bosch and Jeremy Fleming-Jones
Euronews
3 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
EU faces new legal action over bottom trawling in protected areas
EU leaders are facing a fresh legal complaint over widespread destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling in marine protected areas (MPAs). The lawyers behind it say that continuing to permit this activity goes against the bloc's core nature laws and puts the ocean and people in grave danger. Bottom trawling is a destructive fishing practice which involves dragging a net - some so large it could fit a Boeing 747 plane - across the seafloor to catch fish. It disturbs sediment, destroys marine habitats and far more than just the target species gets caught in these nets. The complaint is being brought to the European Commission by a coalition of non-profit organisations: ClientEarth, Oceana, Seas at Risk and Danmarks Naturfredningsforening. It points out persistent instances of unchallenged bottom trawling in three countries: Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain. The challenge claims that destructive fishing practices in MPAs in these member states flout the EU Habitats Directive and calls on EU officials to launch infringement action against the countries in question. The Habitats Directive requires Natura 2000 MPAs - the most important network of marine protected areas in Europe - to be protected from any activity likely to significantly affect the integrity of the site. 'Legally speaking, bottom trawling in protected areas is not legal, and if policymakers don't live up to their obligations, we will bring them before court,' says Tobias Troll, marine policy director from Seas at Risk. ClientEarth ocean lawyer John Condon adds that 'urgent action' is needed at the EU level to confirm that bottom trawling is against EU law, alongside an 'immediate response' from governments. This legal challenge is the latest in a string of litigation across the EU over bottom trawling in MPAs. Individual national cases have so far been launched in France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden and Germany. In April, another group of NGOs filed a similar legal complaint with the EU, alleging breaches of the EU Habitats Directive by Italy, France and Germany. 'This complaint, and others like it, reveal a systemic problem across Europe and one that member states have failed to address for years now, contrary to their legal obligations under EU law,' explains Nicolas Fournier, campaign director for marine protection at Oceana in Europe. The new legal challenge also comes hot off the heels of a crucial judgment from the EU's General Court in May, which confirmed that protected areas must be protected from potentially harmful practices like bottom trawling. The Commission concluded that countries have every right under EU law to ban damaging fishing methods like this in vulnerable marine areas. Some EU countries, like Greece and Sweden, have already announced plans for national legislation to ban bottom trawling in protected areas within their territories. The EU's 2023 Marie Action Plan calls on member states to phase out bottom trawling in all MPAs by 2030. But recent research from NGOs Oceana, Seas At Risk and ClientEarth revealed that no EU country currently has a comprehensive plan in place to phase out destructive fishing practices in these protected areas. And a study published in March this year by Pristine Seas found that around 60 per cent of these vulnerable marine areas in the EU are currently being trawled. With the UN set to host its Ocean Conference in Nice, France, on 9 June and the EU expected to release its strategy to promote a sustainable and competitive blue economy in the next few days, pressure is mounting for more comprehensive ocean protection. Campaigns calling for action on destructive fishing practices in the EU have been backed by fishermen and hundreds of thousands of Europeans. 'The world is waiting for leaders at UNOC to defend the ocean, and make sure protected genuinely means protected,' adds noted MPA defender and founder of the Mediterranean Conservation Society, Zafer Kızılkaya. 'Fishers depend on it - communities depend on it - the world depends on it.'
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
France, Germany and Italy failing to stop destructive fishing: NGOs
Destructive fishing continues in EU waters (Image: AFP) BRUSSELS: Five environmental organisations accused France, Germany and Italy on Tuesday of failing to stop destructive fishing , including bottom trawling, in protected areas in a legal complaint to the European Commission. In their complaint, the organisations including the Environmental Justice Foundation and ClientEarth accused the three countries of "seriously and systemically failing to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems in violation of EU law ". Deep-sea bottom trawling -- where a weighted net is dragged along the seabed, which critics say seriously damages ecosystems in the process -- risks wiping out ocean wildlife and hurting the future of fishing communities in Europe , the groups said. They found that bottom trawling currently took place in 77 per cent of France's protected marine Natura 2000 sites , in 85 per cent of Germany's and in 44 per cent of Italy's. "The joint complaint focuses on 15 marine Natura 2000 sites where extensive evidence shows bottom trawling continues unchecked on an industrial scale, damaging sensitive habitats such as reefs, seagrass beds, and sandbanks," the organisations said. There is ongoing national legal action against the activities in France and Germany, and ClientEarth has taken similar action in the Netherlands and Spain. Under EU law, the commission can assess the complaint and decide either to do nothing or open infringement proceedings against the member states concerned. Although unlikely to lead to strong EU action, the complaint raises the issue ahead of next month's United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, southeastern France. "The complaint at the European level is a lengthy procedure, but it is a strategic lever to show the scale of the problem," said Marie Colombier of the Environmental Justice Foundation. The EU has called on member states to phase out bottom fishing in all protected marine areas by 2030. Europeche, which represents the interests of the EU fishing industry, said it "regrets" the complaint. "The use of bottom trawls in marine protected areas (MPAs) must be assessed through site-specific impact studies," it said in a statement. "Imposing the same bans everywhere would be tantamount to denying the complexity and diversity of marine protected areas," it said, and "would also have major consequences for our self-sufficiency and food sovereignty in Europe and France".
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Residents demand justice after nightmare farm conditions make everyday life impossible: 'Even the idea of walking ... has become unfeasible'
Residents of Madrid, with the help of environmental groups, are suing the Spanish state and the Galician region over the mismanagement of pollution caused by pig farming. As Reuters reported, the case argues that the authorities' inaction in Europe's largest pork-producing country breached national and European law. This case was filed with the High Court of Justice of the Northwestern region, which is home to about a third of Spain's pig farms. ClientEarth, one of the plaintiffs supporting the case, said in a statement that this is the "first time a court in Europe will hear a case on the human rights impacts of intensive livestock operations on water sources." Due to pollution from the hundreds of irresponsible pig and poultry farms, people in Northwestern Galicia's A Limia area said life has become "unfeasible." Despite these farms endangering the health of their community, officials continue to approve the addition of new local farms. Not only is an unbearable stench in the air preventing residents from opening their windows, but the farms are also contaminating the water with dangerous chemicals. "Both the Spanish constitution and European law could not be clearer: Public authorities have a legal obligation to protect people from harm — and even from exposure to harmful pollution," ClientEarth lawyer Nieves Noval said, per Reuters. Over 20,000 people are living in an area with high levels of cancer-causing nitrates, as well as antibiotic-resistant bacteria and hepatotoxin, which is a highly toxic material that can cause severe liver damage. This not only puts those who have used the water in danger, but it also renders the water unusable. Pablo Alvarez Veloso, president of the local neighbourhood association, was quoted by Reuters as saying, "We are so concerned about the pollution that even the idea of walking near the reservoir has become unfeasible." This isn't the only place this problem exists, either. Massive farms run by companies like Perdue are polluting ecosystems, creating health risks, and lowering the quality of life for nearby residents across the globe. This lawsuit is meant to hold both the European and Spanish legislation accountable for the mistreatment of residents. Residents hope it will repair the harm done to the community and prevent further damage from these farming practices. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Galicia authorities said they are in talks with pig farmers and local governing bodies to find a happy medium and stated that the national government should also be held accountable. Environmental groups and residents are also taking action elsewhere in the world — in Oregon and Michigan, for example — to pass laws and hold farms to stricter standards of waste management. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Euronews
24-04-2025
- Business
- Euronews
‘Fishing in the dark': Spain accused of turning a blind eye to illegal fishing in West Africa
ADVERTISEMENT Two environmental NGOs, ClientEarth and Oceana, have filed a lawsuit against the Spanish government, alleging failures to investigate and sanction Spanish-flagged vessels suspected of illegal fishing in West African waters. The lawsuit, filed in Madrid, accuses Spanish authorities of neglecting their obligations under EU law by ignoring vessels that have repeatedly switched off their tracking systems while operating off the coasts of Senegal and Guinea Bissau. 'Fishing in the dark' At the heart of the legal challenge is the use of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). This tracking technology is mandatory for all boats over 15 metres in length and supports safety and transparency in the fishing industry. An analysis by the nonprofit Global Fishing Watch revealed that several Spanish-flagged vessels appeared to go dark for extended periods between 2020 and 2023. One boat allegedly switched off its AIS for more than a year during that period. 'What puzzles us is why these boats switch off their public identification signals, going 'dark' for such long periods,' Nils Courcy, a lawyer at ClientEarth, said in a statement. Related World Wildlife Day: Conservationists say green corridors can help animals thrive in Kenya India doubles tiger population in a decade: Can other countries learn from its conservation efforts? The NGOs argue that such activity could mask illicit practices that not only threaten marine biodiversity but also undermine economies and food security in one of the world's most heavily fished regions. 'This lack of transparency could be linked to fraud,' Courcy added. In 2023, the NGOs formally requested the Spanish authorities to investigate the AIS anomalies. They claim that Spain has refused to do so, prompting the legal action. Legal loopholes and global consequences When it comes to legal duties in the globalised fishing industry, the waters are murky. Spanish authorities claim they lack jurisdiction to act against citizens or companies operating outside EU waters, unless the vessels are blacklisted internationally. The NGOs argue that this position is at odds with EU law . 'EU law explicitly prohibits its citizens and companies from engaging or supporting illegal fishing anywhere in the world,' said Ignacio Fresco Vanzini, senior policy advisor at Oceana. 'If they do, Member States must identify and sanction them, regardless of whether these vessels are part of official blacklists.' Many Spanish companies establish joint ventures with local firms or reflag vessels to countries like Senegal or Guinea Bissau, allowing them to benefit economically from rich West African fishing zones while circumventing EU regulations. Although technically operating under local laws, such vessels are still owned by Spanish entities. Enforcement is an even more complex issue. International law places the responsibility for enforcement on coastal and flag states. But the NGOs believe that when those authorities fail to act, Spain must step in. Illegal fishing: a broader European problem The lawsuit comes amid increasing scrutiny of global fishing practices. ADVERTISEMENT In February 2025, several NGOs sued the French government over its failure to end bottom trawling in marine reserves, arguing that authorities had ignored damaging practices in protected areas. Senegal, meanwhile, was issued a 'yellow card' warning by the EU in 2024 due to its inability to control illegal fishing activities. Related 'Blood sport' or 'humane and quick'? Controversial whale slaughter begins in Faroe Islands Polar bear tracking tech breakthrough could boost conservation as climate heats up But some countries are upping their efforts to protect their natural habitats. Finland and Sweden joined forces in 2024 to crack down on illegal salmon fishing, while Portugal expanded its marine protected areas, giving it the largest such network in Europe. ADVERTISEMENT West Africa's coveted fish stocks The West African coast is one of the most productive fishing zones in the world, attracting fleets from China, Russia, Korea and the EU. Remarkably, Spanish vessels account for 73 per cent of the total of foreign industrial fleets that fish here. Through sustainable fisheries partnership agreements (SFPAs), EU vessels can legally fish for surplus stocks in exclusive economic zones in exchange for financial compensation. But these arrangements are now under strain. The EU's agreement with Senegal, which had allowed EU vessels to target tuna and hake, was not renewed after the country was issued a yellow card. Guinea Bissau's agreement remains intact, permitting EU vessels to fish for tuna , shrimp and cephalopods such as squid and octopus. But how sustainable it is remains unclear. Related 'A momentous day for nature': EU approves first-of-its-kind law that could bring back biodiversity Vietnam's ancient fish sauce making tradition is being threatened by warming seas and overfishing According to the International Organisation for Migration, income for small-scale West African fishers has decreased by an estimated 40 per cent in recent years. In Senegal, where fishing is indirectly responsible for more than half a million jobs, the fish catch has dwindled by 75 per cent in the last decade. ADVERTISEMENT With fish stocks disappearing, local communities are facing risks that range from food insecurity to job loss and forced migration. If ClientEarth and Oceana win their case, Spanish authorities could be compelled to investigate the large grey areas in fishing – and perhaps begin to address these issues.
