Intensive farming becomes black sheep
Intensive farming is out, according to EU Environment and Agriculture Commissioners Ritt Bjerregaard and Franz Fischler, who joined forces at the European Parliament last month to present their new commitment to environmental farming. They underlined recent Commission initiatives to harness the use of nitrates and pesticides and to closely monitor new developments in research on genetically modified organisms. This new approach, they said, is a direct response to European citizens' growing concerns for the environment. Commissioner Bjerregaard also highlighted her commitment to environmental sustainability through proper consultation with local and regional authorities and those charged with implementing the policy.