Europe: AI-assisted international press reviewPress review

Europe: Towards an Evolution of the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Drones in Crop Protection

As the demand for sustainable agriculture rises, drones are emerging as essential tools for European farmers. However, current regulations hinder their adoption. An initiative from 15 member states calls for a modernization of guidelines to integrate these innovative technologies.

Synthetic Fuels: SAF+IG Invests €700 Million in Port-la-Nouvelle for 75,000 Tonnes/Year Facility

Canadian company SAF+IG announces the construction of a synthetic fuel production unit in Port-la-Nouvelle, aiming for commissioning in 2031. This €700 million project targets an annual production of 75,000 tonnes of synthetic fuels and the creation of 100 skilled direct jobs in the region.

Europe Grants First Emergency Approval for RNA Insecticide Against Potato Beetle in Belgium

This marks a first in Europe. Belgian authorities have granted an emergency use authorization for Calantha®, an innovative RNA-based insecticide aimed at combating the potato beetle during the 2026 growing season. Calantha® has been developed to meet environmental standards, with no detectable residues on crops. It is designed to be safe for bees and other non-target organisms, addressing growing environmental expectations.

In the Face of Asian Dominance, Dualsun Bets on a European Solar Sector

UV-C in Agriculture: Kubota Invests in UV Boosting to Cut Fungicide Use

Kubota strengthens its commitment to agricultural sustainability by investing in UV Boosting, a French startup that uses UV-C flashes to enhance crops' natural defenses. This technology promises to reduce fungicide use by 25% to 75% and improve plant resistance to abiotic stress while increasing yields. It is being applied to various crops (grapes, peaches, and other fruits and vegetables) across several European countries.

Brussels Revises Pesticide Residue Thresholds: Trade, Competitiveness, and Agricultural Innovation Challenges

Ongoing discussions in Brussels regarding maximum residue levels (MRLs), market access standards ensuring consumer exposure to pesticide residues remains within safe limits, could have significant implications for food safety, supply chains, and innovation. CropLife Europe calls for a rigorous impact assessment to ensure any legislative changes are evidence-based and consider overall economic and trade effects.

Blight-resistant potatoes: Switzerland tests new selection techniques without foreign DNA

Agroscope (Swiss competence center in agronomic and agri-food research) is conducting a trial on cisgenic blight-resistant potatoes, authorized by the Federal Office for the Environment. This project aims to develop varieties without foreign DNA, thereby reducing the need for plant protection products and improving resistance to extreme climatic conditions.

Methanization: A Finnish Startup Turns Digestate into Strategic Fertilizer

NPHarvest, a Finnish cleantech company, has inaugurated a pilot facility at Biogas Westerbakum GmbH in Lower Saxony, aiming to recover nutrients from liquid digestate. This membrane technology, capable of recovering up to 90% of nitrogen and phosphorus, meets increasingly stringent fertilizer application regulations in Germany.

Innovation Awards 2026: 9 Selected Candidates, AI and System Integration at the Heart of Horticultural Challenges

GreenTech Amsterdam has revealed the 9 nominees for its Innovation Awards 2026, selected from 37 applications. The categories include Concept, Innovation, and Impact, the latter highlighting products that have proven their effectiveness in the market. The winners will be announced during the event taking place from June 9 to 11, 2026, at RAI Amsterdam.

Nitrogen Under Pressure in the UK: Microbial Biostimulants as a Strategic Drought Relay