Latest news with #EMB
Agriland
3 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Call to sustain position of milk producers on World Milk Day
As World Milk Day takes place tomorrow (Sunday June 1), the European Milk Board (EMB) is reaffirming its call for sustainably strengthening the position of milk producers in the food chain. The board has said that fair and adequate remuneration for dairy farmers is the only way to secure the future of the European dairy sector in the long-term and to ensure the supply of high-quality milk products to the population. EMB president Kjartan Poulsen said: 'World Milk Day is an important occasion to recognise the hard work of our dairy farmers and, at the same time, to draw attention to the ongoing challenges in the sector. 'Without the right reforms, the existence of many farms remains under threat. It is high time that politicians create framework conditions that enable cost-covering prices and guarantee that producers are adequately remunerated for their valuable work.' Milk producers The EMB sees the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU as a key instrument for improving the producer position. Against the background of World Milk Day, the EMB has drawn up reform proposals for the CAP and the Common Market Organisation (CMO), which aim to increase market stability and give farmers a stronger negotiating position. The EMB's current reform proposals for the CAP/CMO include: Integration of crisis instruments that have a preventive effect and are triggered early in the event of market imbalances. The aim is to avoid extreme price fluctuations and losses with instruments like the Market Responsibility Programme; Strengthening the collective bargaining power of producers by promoting producer organisations with a pooling limit of 30% across the EU. This is intended to enable farmers to achieve fairer prices vis-a-vis the stronger processors and retailers; Introduction of mandatory criteria – such as the prohibition of prices below costs – for fair trading practices along the value chain. This is intended to prevent unfair competition and the exploitation of market power; Obligatory contracts with the appropriate clauses to promote fairness between producers and processors; Integrating processing cooperatives into this market framework – with all its rights and obligations. 'The current discussions about the future direction of the CAP offer a decisive opportunity to set the course for a more resilient and fairer milk market,' Poulsen continued. 'It is of paramount importance that policymakers set a clear focus on empowering producers and are not swayed by other interests. The future of the European dairy sector depends on it.' The EMB has appealed to policymakers at national and European level to implement these reform proposals in the interest of milk producers. The board said that this is the only way to achieve the goal of strengthening the producer position along the chain and to ensure the sustainable production of high-quality milk in Europe in the long-term. World Milk Day World Milk Day is celebrated each year on June 1 and is about supporting nutrition, health, and economic resilience around the globe. World Milk Day is described as a movement that highlights milk as a vital, accessible food source that nourishes billions. Tomorrow (Sunday, June 1) marks the 25th anniversary of World Milk Day, with this year celebrating the power of dairy as a nutrient-rich food and an important part of healthy, sustainable diets. Along with calcium and protein, milk is rich in iodine and vitamins B2 and B12, while also providing potassium and phosphorus. Chief executive at the Dairy Council NI, Ian Stevenson commented: 'Milk is a naturally nutrient-rich choice that supports active lifestyles and healthy diets. 'Today, we raise a glass in appreciation of our local dairy farmers and processors and their vital role in producing wholesome, nutritious food for communities here in Northern Ireland and across the world.'
Agriland
6 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
ICMSA president calls for ‘solidarity' among European dairy farmers
A call for 'solidarity' among European dairy farmers has been issued by the president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Denis Drennan, who is also on the executive committee of the European Milk Board (EMB). According to Denis Drennan farmers across Europe are facing the same challenges from increasing production costs, to tightening environmental regulations, and volatile milk prices regardless of where they farm. Drennan said extreme weather conditions during 2025, such as Storm Eowyn, highlight how 'vulnerable farmers are to factors beyond their control'. 'Difficulties in Ireland are not isolated. Whether in France, Germany, Lithuania or Spain farmers are facing rising production costs, fluctuating farm-gate prices, and a policy environment that often demands more while offering little in terms of fair market structures. 'In many regions, it is becoming increasingly clear that the survival of family farms – the backbone of our European agricultural model – is under severe threat,' Drennan added. Dairy farmers According to the ICMSA president this underlines why dairy farmers in Europe should show 'solidarity' to each other and why co-ordinated action at European level is 'essential'. He has highlighted the work of the EMB on promoting a 'comprehensive approach to sustainability' which encompasses 'economic, social and environmental pillars' to secure the future of dairy farming in Europe. According to Drennan dairy farmers need 'fair prices that cover production costs and proper market regulation that actively deals with destructive volatility and corporate margin-grabbing'. 'We desperately require political recognition of the strategic importance of family farms that must be placed at the centre of European agricultural policy. 'Recent examples, such as the successful implementation of voluntary production reduction schemes and national legislation prohibiting the purchase of foodstuffs below production cost, show that positive change is possible when the right instruments are employed. He believes that it does not matter whether it is a dairy farmer in the likes of Ireland, Denmark, Portugal or Poland – the fact remains that they need the same supports and measures in place to strengthen the economic foundation of dairy farming. According to Drennan this is 'a fair income, market transparency, and a viable future for the next generations of dairy farmers'.
Ya Biladi
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Belgium's Muslim Executive urges Justice Minister to reject recognition of contested council
Muslim Executive of Belgium (EMB) has urged the Minister of Justice, Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), not to grant permanent recognition to the Muslim Council of Belgium (CMB), whose temporary two-year accreditation is set to expire in June. In a statement received by Yabiladi on Wednesday, the EMB responded to a request submitted by the CMB, recalling that «four private individuals — neither elected, legitimate, nor representative — were appointed arbitrarily by the former Minister of Justice without consulting the grassroots community». The EMB, which had its official recognition revoked by Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open Vld) through a royal decree on September 29, 2022, stressed that this government-imposed shift «caused confusion and rejection within the community», especially with the «remote-controlled creation of the non-profit organization CMB». The EMB strongly denounced the «submission of a new project by unelected individuals, without consultation with mosques and representing only a minority of them — individuals lacking both democratic legitimacy and community representation». «An organization that is not grounded in the community base, namely the mosques, cannot claim to represent the Muslim faith, let alone the Muslim community in our country», the EMB further criticized. It called on Annelies Verlinden to reject what it described as an «illegitimate» project and to «open a sincere dialogue» with representatives «emerging from the democratic process of 2014», the year in which the EMB was elected by 292 of the 300 mosques in Belgium. The EMB added that this representation was updated in January 2022 and «remains in effect», overseen by a commission that developed the electoral process and «currently represents a vast majority of the country's mosques». In 2023, the elected body was dismissed «without legitimate reason and in an illegal manner, by political decision», the EMB stated. In a letter, the president of the CMB, Esma Uçan, informed the current Minister of Justice that she will not run in the upcoming elections for the renewal of the Council's leadership. Her decision not to seek re-election follows the withdrawal of two key components — Diyanet and Milli Görüş — both of which represent dozens of mosques.
Ya Biladi
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Belgium's Muslim Council seeks permanent recognition
The Muslim Council of Belgium (CMB) has formally requested permanent recognition from the federal Minister of Justice, Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), following a two-year temporary approval set to expire next June. The council was established in 2023 after former Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open Vld) ended the recognition of the Executive of Muslims of Belgium (EMB) via royal decree on September 29, 2022. According to the press agency Belga, a letter from CMB president Esma Uçan to the current minister mentions a «renewal process» initiated since 2023. The letter also states that a new general assembly of 45 members has been formed and confirms that, with Uçan not standing in the upcoming elections, a vote will be held on May 31 to appoint a new board of directors. Uçan's decision not to run appears to be just the surface of deeper internal tensions within the young CMB. Although intended to be representative, the council's composition has already sparked controversy, notably concerning the inclusion of the Diyanet and Milli Görüs networks. These two groups, which oversee dozens of mosques, will abstain from the upcoming elections, leaving their seats vacant. While Esma Uçan describes this as a «voluntary abstention», both networks—closely tied to Turkish religious circles—have faced criticism for alleged «foreign interference» and «conservative positions», according to Belga. In 2024, the French-speaking business court of Brussels ordered the immediate dissolution of the EMB College. The EMB subsequently filed appeals against the 2022 and 2023 royal decrees granting recognition to the CMB, but these appeals were dismissed by the Council of State.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ETF Strategies to Follow on Moody's Downgrade of U.S. Debt
Moody's has downgraded the U.S. sovereign credit rating by one notch, citing concerns over the country's ballooning $36 trillion debt burden. This move, following similar actions by Fitch in 2023 and S&P in 2011, raised alarm among investors about the nation's long-term fiscal sustainability. The downgrade has veered the market's focus toward Washington's fiscal policy debates. Carol Schleif of BMO Private Wealth noted that the bond market is closely watching developments in Congress, particularly as lawmakers debate a major tax bill backed by President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, as quoted on Yahoo Finance. Moody's expressed skepticism over current fiscal proposals, stating these proposals are unlikely to materially reduce deficits. Rising 10-year Treasury term premiums suggest that markets are pricing in greater long-term fiscal risk. Note that Term Premium on a 10 Year Zero Coupon Bond rose from negative 0.5593 in May 2020 to 0.5503 in May 2025. Meanwhile, the 30-year U.S. treasury yield jumped to 4.92% on May 19, 2025 from 4.89% recorded the day before. Despite internal Republican disputes, Trump's expansive tax-cut bill recently passed a key congressional committee. Still, market uncertainty looms over its final shape. After all, uncontrolled spending could deter investors from long-term Treasuries. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that the tax bill could raise national debt by up to $5.2 trillion by 2034 if temporary measures become permanent. Barclays analysts suggested that the tax plan might be less damaging than previously thought. They estimate the fiscal cost to rise by $2 trillion over the next decade — less than the prior projections of $3.8 trillion, as quoted on Yahoo Finance. However, like many analysts, we believe that the debt downgrade could eventually lead to higher borrowing costs for both public and private entities. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized efforts to keep 10-year yields under control. Meanwhile, the White House dismissed the Moody's downgrade as politically motivated. Given this volatile fiscal backdrop and market response, here are a few exchange-traded fund (ETF) strategies for investors: Short-Term Treasuries: Limit duration risk amid rising yields. Moreover, The ETF VGSH yields as high as 4.18% annually. Investment Grade Corporate Bonds: Potentially safer than Treasuries as yields rise. The ETF LQD yields 4.48% annually. Global Bond ETFs (e.g., BNDX, IGOV): Reduce U.S. exposure by incorporating non-dollar-denominated bonds. The ETF BNDX yields 4.29% annually. Emerging Market Bonds (e.g., EMB): Emerging market bonds are higher-yielding, but come with higher risk. The ETF EMB yields 5.26% annually. Inverse Bond ETFs: Profit from rising long-term yields by investing in ETFs like TBT due to fiscal concerns. Floating Rate Bond ETFs (e.g., FLOT, FLRN): Adjust coupon payments with interest rates, reducing duration risk. The ETF FLOT yields 5.43% annually while FLRN yields 5.42% (read: ETF Strategies to Play Amid Rising Treasury Yields). Dividend-Paying Equity ETFs: Stability and income during bond market volatility. Seek exposure to dividend-focused ETFs like VYM and SCHD (read: 5 Dividend ETFs Surviving the Tariff Turmoil Past Month). Low Volatility Equity ETFs: Cushion against equity market swings linked to fiscal instability. Try ETFs like SPLV and USMV. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury (TBT): ETF Research Reports iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD): ETF Research Reports iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB): ETF Research Reports iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV): ETF Research Reports Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM): ETF Research Reports Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV): ETF Research Reports Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH): ETF Research Reports iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (FLOT): ETF Research Reports SPDR Bloomberg Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (FLRN): ETF Research Reports Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX): ETF Research Reports Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD): ETF Research Reports This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
