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Natasha Foote

@natashafoote.bsky.social
1.3K followers 154 following 57 posts

Freelance agrifood journalist & moderator 🌱🌿 @arc2020.bsky.social, formerly Euractiv Drop me a line at natashafoote.freelance@gmail.com

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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Would you believe that the #HandsOffNature omnibus has been stopped by… administrative burden While the police check every single paper, I’m on board along with @wwf.eu @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social & others hearing about the EU’s political U turns & why it’s driving policy in the wrong direction 🚌
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
All agri folks right now a day on from the announcement of the new CAP… without the publication of the actual proposal Raises serious questions of how journalists are supposed to scrutinise what is on the table when all we have for now is the Commission’s spin on things?
media.tenor.com
a man is yawning while talking on a cell phone with the word show written above him
ALT: a man is yawning while talking on a cell phone with the word show written above him
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Update: seems like the EU budget proposal and the new CAP proposal will come on the same day, on 16 July Hope no agri stakeholders have planned a holiday in July…
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Reposted by Natasha Foote
ARC2020 @arc2020.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
🌱 Has the EU's farming policy lost its green edge? ✂️ As the #CAP gets pruned, are environmental goals being trimmed too? @natashafoote.bsky.social digs into the details: What’s left of the #GreenDeal in the new CAP revisions? 🔗 www.arc2020.eu/pruning-the-... #CAPStrategicPlans #CAPreform
arc2020.eu
Pruning the EU’s Farming Policy: Have CAP's Green Shoots Survived the Shears? | Agricultural and Rural Convention
The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is once again being trimmed down to size, with the Commission reaching for the shears in an attempt to cut back what it sees as an overgrown subsidy programme...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
🚨 If you read one thing this weekend, make it this Huge scoop from @eleonoravasques.bsky.social unveiling Israel's plans - confirmed by govt sources to be one of the options currently on the table - to take over Gaza after defeating Hamas www.euronews.com/2025/05/16/e...
euronews.com
Exclusive: Israeli proposal details possible post-Hamas Gaza plan
A document reviewed by Euronews reveals one possible avenue Israel could explore to create a new entity in Gaza post-Hamas.
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Some dates for the diary: The new EU budget proposal (MFF) will come on 16 July, and will be followed closely by the new CAP post-2027 reform proposal. Not clear yet if it will be a 'two for the price of one' deal on the same day, but it will be in quick succession
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
And I’m not the only one thinking this
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Sorry, is @ec.europa.eu actually kicking off its Agri Vision conference with a manel? Visionary… #EUAgriVision
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Around 57 dangerous pesticides banned in the EU are still used in South Africa. Some are neurotoxic, others cause cancer or harm the environment Yet it is often EU companies that produce & export these pesticides My deep dive from the ground for @arc2020.bsky.social www.arc2020.eu/spilling-eur...
arc2020.eu
Spilling Europe’s Dirty Secrets: Uncorking the Toxic Trade in Banned Pesticides | Agricultural and Rural Convention
Pesticides deemed too toxic for Europe are still being produced here and sold abroad to be sprayed on fields where farm workers live, work, and raise their children – but these are also fields that he...
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Reposted by Natasha Foote
ARC2020 @arc2020.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
A simpler, streamlined EU farming subsidy programme can only be a good thing … right? @natashafoote.bsky.social digs in: www.arc2020.eu/why-simplifi... #CAP
arc2020.eu
Why Simplification of CAP May Get Complicated | Agricultural and Rural Convention
A simpler, streamlined EU farming subsidy programme can only be a good thing … right? Well, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Here, Natasha Foote digs into what we currently know about the next s...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
I’ve been in South Africa this week to learn about the impacts of the EU’s trade in banned pesticides on the ground This is Dina, who used to work on vineyards before her lungs were too damaged to continue working, and this is her message to EU policymakers
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
🚨 The EU has taken another step towards loosening its rules on genetic technologies with today’s Council vote setting the ball rolling towards deregulation 🧬 More to follow, but I already outlined what the next steps will be in my latest for @arc2020.bsky.social www.arc2020.eu/new-vote-cou...
arc2020.eu
New vote could take new GMOs one step closer to EU fields and plates
EU countries are teetering on the brink of an agreement which would take new GMOs one step closer to our plates and several steps back from current protections governing the technology. What’s happeni...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
So thoughtful of the Council to schedule this treat for my birthday
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
🚨EU countries are teetering on the brink of an agreement which would take new genomic techniques one step closer to our fields & plates Who are the key players to watch & what does this mean for next steps? All you need to know in my latest for @arc2020.bsky.social 🧬 www.arc2020.eu/new-vote-cou...
arc2020.eu
New vote could take new GMOs one step closer to EU fields and plates
EU countries are teetering on the brink of an agreement which would take new GMOs one step closer to our plates and several steps back from current protections governing the technology. What’s happeni...
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Reposted by Natasha Foote
ARC2020 @arc2020.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
New report by Terre de Liens catalogues the absurdities of the globalised food system www.arc2020.eu/the-food-sov...
arc2020.eu
The Food Sovereignty Scandal Made in France | Agricultural and Rural Convention
France has more than enough land to feed its inhabitants. Yet almost half of French farmland serves the global export trade. Food sovereignty will remain a pipe dream as long as the absurd globalised ...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Did you know nearly half of France's agricultural land is used for exports? But that it grows enough to feed itself 130%? Learn more about how France "is mortgaging its food sovereignty" in the latest from @arc2020.bsky.social on the recent Terre de Liens report www.arc2020.eu/the-food-sov...
arc2020.eu
The Food Sovereignty Scandal Made in France | Agricultural and Rural Convention
France has more than enough land to feed its inhabitants. Yet almost half of French farmland serves the global export trade. Food sovereignty will remain a pipe dream as long as the absurd globalised ...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
🧬 Looks like EU countries are gearing up to vote on their position on new genomic techniques on 14 March, which is not the birthday present I asked for this year The blocking minority seems to be just about still holding for the moment, but it's thin
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Une agriculture compétitive, équitable et durable pour l’Europe (dans cet ordre là)
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
🚨On the EU's plans to loosen rules on new genomic techniques - EU countries are edging much closer to an agreement Sources say 🇧🇪 (who could help tip the ⚖️) is trying to support, but is still stuck on a few points on patents It won’t go to a Coreper vote before 12 March
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Well, the Commission promised an evolution, not a revolution – & that is exactly what we got. It’s unfortunate this is one of the times the Commission kept its promises I unpack the EU's new Vision for Agriculture & Food in my latest for @arc2020.bsky.social 👇 www.arc2020.eu/shortsighted...
arc2020.eu
Shortsighted Vision: Unpacking EU’s new agrifood policy plans
The EU has unveiled its new Vision for Agriculture and Food which, despite the name, is not exactly what you would call ‘visionary’. So what does the EU’s new agricultural game plan envisage – or not ...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Agri Commissioner: "Eco-schemes are the proof that incentives rather than imposition is working in the CAP" Meanwhile...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
.@gerardofortuna.bsky.social puts his finger on the pulse - or lackthereof, asking if the announcement of the EU's vision marks the official death of the Farm to Fork “The way of working has clearly changed towards those reductions that are needed," Commissioner @CHansenEU replies
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
"It is not acceptable that we prohibit the use of certain plant protection products inside the EU, but the food produced with that very same product is still coming in. Not only is that unfair competition, but if it is a threat to human health or bees here, it is also a threat outside the EU"
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Apparently the Commission just said it's an old leak, but it's dated 10 Feb. But with the long internal process, it means it's pretty much oven ready Unless they rip it up & start again, I can't see anything revolutionary coming out of this. If I were in the dialogue, I'd be a bit pissed
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
First thoughts is that it’s like reading a knock-off Farm to Fork with less ambition I don’t see anything truly innovative in there, besides some tougher language on trade and a few new strategies? Curious to hear your thoughts
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
🚨 Got my hands on a leak of the Commission’s Vision on Agriculture & Food - want to know what’s on the menu? Here I’ve laid it out for you on a plate, in my latest for @arc2020.bsky.social 👇 www.arc2020.eu/leak-a-sneak...
arc2020.eu
LEAK: A sneak peek at the EU's new blueprint for agrifood policy
Tough on trade, but more lax on CAP – that’s a quick summary of the EU's new blueprint for agriculture and food, according to a leaked draft that ARC2020 got its hands on. So what’s on the menu for ag...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
A 'closer coordination' you say, hmmmm From the leak of the EU's vision on agriculture and food - more hints of a budgetary merge between cohesion and CAP
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
I'm writing up the juiciest bits now as we speak - watch this space 👀 Soon on @arc2020.bsky.social
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
🚨 LEAK Commission's Vision for Agriculture & Food: -Capping & degressivity of CAP payments -Less conditions, more flexibility on CAP -Generational renewal strategy -'Level playing field' for trade (👇) -Review animal welfare legislation & public procurement -More emphasis on private investments
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
"Beware of jargon. If you are a [EU reporter] this is doubly important. You occasionally have to bandy words that no ordinary human ever uses, like [MFF, Coreper, DG & CAP] so you really don't want to be effulgent or felicitous as well" Wise words for us all from the late, great Tim Radford
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
There's a huge power behind the public plate - as I found out when I was putting together this @slowfoodeurope.bsky.social podcast episode on public procurement Want to learn more? Have a listen to the podcast below & add your voice to the public consultation below open.spotify.com/episode/5t0K...
open.spotify.com
Slow Food Goes Brussels: Who Gets to Decide What Food Ends up on our Public Plates?
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Quick 👀 of EU's new budget plans: - Follows the CAP's footsteps (eg national plans) - Merges money pots into one competitiveness fund - Power concentration at EU & national levels - Simplification & more flexibility Quite in line w/ my @arc2020.bsky.social analysis www.arc2020.eu/the-eu-is-mu...
arc2020.eu
The EU is Mulling a Seismic Budgetary Shift – What Would This Mean for Agri and Rural Areas?
The European Commission has been quietly weighing up options to radically overhaul its budget. This could see all of its 500+ biggest money pots merged into one mega money pot, divided out based on pl...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
The Commission really looked at the last CAP and said, wow, that worked so well, let's do this with the entire EU budget...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
So yesterday evening when I stumbled across this, I thought hmm that's odd, late in the day but I guess I missed it? Now I realised that it was a sneak publication at 21h with no press release or alert to journalists?
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
The EU’s upcoming Vision for Agriculture & Food has been listed under the policy objective “competitiveness & decarbonisation” & is still set for Q1, according to Commission’s freshly published 2025 work plan + CAP simplification package in Q2 as per its major focus on streamlining
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
⚠️ After months at an impasse, the EU plans to loosen rules on new genetic techniques may have just edged closer to a compromise thanks to a new 🇵🇱 proposal What does this all mean? Here I’ve put together an overview of what you need to know for @arc2020.bsky.social 🧬 www.arc2020.eu/poland-backt...
arc2020.eu
Poland backtracks on patents in efforts to push ahead with EU plans on new GMOs
A new proposal on the EU’s plans to loosen the rules on new genomic technologies has been tabled in efforts to break the impasse in negotiations between EU countries. But could this be enough to tip t...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
And Pandora said, what’s in that box…
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
You might’ve heard of a policy roadmap, but how about a compass? The Commission’s transport analogies might be wearing as thin as the compass’ content, but it’s still worth looking into the course this charts for next 5 years. My analysis for @arc2020.bsky.social www.arc2020.eu/eus-competit...
arc2020.eu
EU's Competitiveness Compass – North-Pointing or are Things Heading South for Agri Policy?
Competitiveness is the key word of this new Von der Leyen Commission 2.0 – and the EU’s new ‘Competitive Compass’ is supposed to steer it onto a path towards security and economic prosperity. But far ...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Thank you to everyone that’s got in touch with me for this! If anyone else has thoughts, do let me know :)
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Standing in solidarity with my 31 former colleagues who had the courage to speak out against the publication of this piece, which is at best, reckless and ignorant and at worst, racist bigotry www.amnesty.eu/news/mainstr...
amnesty.eu
Mainstreaming Islamophobia: When an editor goes rogue, the publisher cannot hide behind a disclaimer – European Institutions Office
In an open letter to the editor of Euractiv, Amnesty International responded to the ‘The Brief – Never again?‘ published on 27 January 2025. Dear sir, It is with shock but not surprise that we at Amne...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
👀
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
*Looking for input* I'm putting together some thoughts on the perception of farmers, looking at the most common narratives in the media & in general public opinion about farming E.g. farmers vs environment, the struggling farmer vs the rich landowner, 'angry' farmers Thoughts? Drop me a line 📨
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
Quick thoughts on new EBAF vs Strategic Dialogue: 3⃣ gone (Wageningen Uni, Euragri & @eib.org) losing the research voices 👋 New: 1x NGO (@epha-eu.bsky.social) & 2x industry ( @croplifeeu.bsky.social/ Feed lobby FEFAC) ⛰️ & 1 x rural focused Euromontana 🏦 @eib.org replaced with bank coops lobby, EACB
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
With this handy graphic to help visualise the year to come (to be updated as more info comes to light!)
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
In his visit to 🇮🇪, new EU agri Commissioner @CHansenEU said it's unfair to import food from third countries with residues of pesticides banned in the EU Curious about why this is happening? Check out my Slowfood podcast on the topic to learn more open.spotify.com/episode/3xjS...
open.spotify.com
Slow Food Goes Brussels: Profit over principle? The EU’s export of banned toxic pesticides
Slow Food, the podcast · Episode
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Wondering what fun the new year will bring for agrifood policy? Want some key dates for the diary? I’ve put together this EU policy look ahead for @arc2020.bsky.social - check it out here www.arc2020.eu/the-eu-agri-...
arc2020.eu
The EU Agri-Food Playbook 2025 - What to expect, why it matters
With both a newly elected European Parliament and a new European Commission, 2025 will be a definitive year in shaping the direction of agricultural policy. So what can we expect from 2025? And what d...
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
The thing I enjoy most about this whole thing is that Von der Leyen clearly has no concept of the agricultural calendar & has not learnt she should not make big farming announcements over the winter period unless she wants protests (inc the Vision scheduled for Feb) entrevue.fr/en/agriculte...
entrevue.fr
Angry farmers: Strasbourg at the heart of the battle against the Mercosur treaty - Interview
French farmers have no intention of giving up on the European Union, which they accuse of sacrificing their future in the name of free trade.
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
Curious about the new EU vision for agriculture and food? Luckily I have just the thing for you - here's what we know so far, including when it will be presented, what is likely to be inside, and next steps in my first piece for @cleanenergywire 👇
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
The thing is, a fund & a reserve seem quite different to me. A reserve only kicks in AFTER bad things have happened, while a fund can help smooth the transition Commission is hazy on details of this €€ for the moment, saying it will be part of discussions on the next EU budget
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Natasha Foote @natashafoote.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Whether a fund or a reserve is not yet clear, but there will be "some sort of insurance policy" for farmers & rural areas to help sweeten the Mercosur deal, the Commission says. But it "doesn't believe it will ever be required because of the protections built into the agreement"
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