The meat-producing side of the sheep industry is in sharp decline in the EU. Its survival is often crucial to the continuing viability of the economic fabric in many difficult geographical areas.

The new school year in vocational agricultural colleges will feature a number of events highlighting the value of European cooperation activities in farm colleges and higher education establishments.

On 15 July, Michel Barnier, French Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, chaired the first Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In the morning, Mr Barnier presented the Presidency’s programme to members of the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

This seminar will bring together the competent authorities and representatives of the relevant sectors from the EU Member States to reflect upon ways to modernise health inspections in slaughterhouses.

At the informal environment meeting, the French Presidency is launching a working group to strengthen the assessment of GMOs at European level.

By 2050, the world's population will have reached 9 billion. To cope with demographic growth and the consequent increase in food demand, agriculture must double its production in the next 30 years

The European Parliament hosted an international conference in Brussels on 3 July 2008 devoted to the food challenge. Beyond the world discussions which began at the FAO summit in Rome in June, the participants agreed on the need to tailor answers to each situation, by encouraging the development of local agricultural markets for example.

On 1 and 2 July, INRA will be welcoming over thirty National Forest Research Institute managers to its Forest & Wood Centre in Nancy.