Europe: Our selection of original articlesOur selection

What are the stakes of the CRCF, the new European carbon certification tool?

Presented by some as a solution for farmers' transition to virtuous practices, the Carbon Absorption Certification Framework (CRCF) appears to others as an imperfect mechanism that rewards results instead of emphasizing good practices. Here are some keys to better understand its stakes.

In the face of soaring fertilizer prices, could the new European carbon certification mechanism be a solution?

As farmers call for a reduction in European fertilizer taxes, Farm Europe, a European think tank, is betting on a long-term solution that could allow them to rely less on fertilizers while becoming active participants rather than mere spectators in their carbon transition.

65 to 70% of Farmers Acknowledge the Need to Change Their Practices

FRANCE. To support the evolution of agricultural practices, the association movement For a Living Agriculture has launched COVALO, an unprecedented coalition bringing together farmers, sectors, industries, financiers, and public actors. Interview with its General Director, Anne Trombini.

Agricultural Challenges: Ending Fantasies, Returning to Realities

Michel J. F. Dubois, a leading expert in agricultural sciences at UniLaSalle University, expresses concern over the relentless decline in the relative weight of agriculture and calls for a genuine relationship between farmers and urban dwellers.

Lidea Launches Seed Coating to Reduce Nitrogen Inputs

European seed company Lidea has introduced Nitro Boost, a seed coating developed in collaboration with Agronutrition by DSG that combines biofertilization and biostimulation. Targeted primarily at corn and cereals, this solution integrates bacteria capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, a biostimulant, and a zinc and manganese complex. According to the seed company, it could reduce mineral fertilizer applications by 20 to 40 nitrogen units per hectare. Over 33 trial sites from 2022 to 2025, Lidea reports yield gains of up to 4.1 q/ha under water stress conditions.

Poland Leverages NGTs to Accelerate Wheat and Sugar Beet Breeding

Four plant breeding companies from Krajowa Grupa Spożywcza are partnering with the University of Silesia to test innovative genomic techniques. This three-year pilot project aims to assess the effectiveness of NGTs in developing new winter wheat and sugar beet varieties, while enhancing local expertise and reducing reliance on foreign technologies.

Research in Denmark: Towards Better Assessment of Biopesticides

A new research center, ENSAFE, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, will study the environmental risks of next-generation biopesticides, particularly those based on RNA and peptides. Researchers will seek to measure their effects on non-target organisms and their fate in the environment, aiming to develop assessment methods suited to these new technologies and to inform their regulation.

Erik Poelman Appointed Chair of Agricultural Systems Ecology at Wageningen University

Wageningen University has appointed Erik Poelman as the new chair of Agricultural Systems Ecology, effective September 1. The researcher will lead the chair dedicated to the ecology of agricultural systems, focusing on plant-insect interactions, mixed cropping systems, and sustainable pest management. He will also coordinate the CropMix program, which emphasizes sustainable agriculture through mixed cropping systems.

Wheat and Barley: INRAE Investigates Gene History for Climate Adaptation

Researchers from INRAE, Clermont Auvergne University, and CNRS have analyzed 1,420 modern varieties of wheat and barley, as well as ancient wheats dating back 5,000 years, to trace the history of genes related to adaptation. A hundred common variants have been identified, opening new avenues for variety selection in the face of climate change.

Update on Equipment to Reduce Spray Drift in Agriculture

The French Association for Adjuvants has updated its list of equipment designed to reduce the spray drift of phytosanitary products, specifying reduction levels ranging from 66% to 95%. This update specifically targets low crops, viticulture, and arboriculture, emphasizing the importance of using approved equipment to benefit from regulatory adaptations of Non-Treated Zones. Approved adjuvants also play a complementary role in optimizing spraying.

Soybeans, corn... the issue of banned pesticides in Europe for imports

The PLUVALUH Project: Towards Sustainable Agriculture with Human Urine

The PLUVALUH project, led by the Chamber of Agriculture of the Pays de la Loire, explores the use of human urine as a fertilizer in agriculture. Experiments in Angers and other regions aim to assess the technical and agronomic feasibility of this innovative approach, while analyzing its environmental impact and developing viable economic models. This initiative could transform human urine into a valuable resource for farmers, thus contributing to more sustainable and decarbonized agriculture.

In Denmark, the heat from a data center will be used to grow greenhouse vegetables year-round

Nordic data center specialist atNorth and Danish group Selected Group will utilize the excess heat from the DEN02 campus in Ølgod to power a large greenhouse complex. The goal is to develop local vegetable production year-round while reducing carbon emissions associated with greenhouse heating and winter imports.

Agrivoltaics: A Key Lever for Agriculture in the Face of Climate Change

FRANCE. Agricultural chambers advocate for increased support for agrivoltaics, which is essential for the sustainability of farming operations. As hundreds of projects develop under the APER law framework, recent guidelines from the Energy Regulatory Commission threaten their economic viability. Agricultural chambers are calling for a revision of policies to ensure a stable and profitable future for this innovative sector.