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As environmental challenges, including climate change and biodiversity loss, increasingly shape global policy discussions, the integration of environmental concerns into regional trade agreements (RTAs) has gained significant importance. A novel database on environment-related provisions for agriculture, fisheries, and forestry (Ag-ERPs) in RTAs allows us to analyse their effects on trade and environmental outcomes. Putting the spotlight on sustainable agricultural practices, these provisions aim to ensure that trade liberalization does not come at the cost of environmental degradation. Agriculture-related environmental provisions can most directly contribute to positive environmental outcomes by altering the trade flows of partner countries within the respective RTAs. The purpose of this study is therefore to explore how Ag-ERPs influence agricultural trade flows between partner countries, with specific emphasis on the composition of trade and the environmental outcomes these provisions might foster. The study analyses the impact of Ag-ERPs on agricultural trade flows using bilateral trade data, which allows for a detailed examination of product-level trade patterns. It looks at both economic and environmental effects.

As environmental challenges, including climate change and biodiversity loss, increasingly shape global policy discussions, the integration of environmental concerns into regional trade agreements (RTAs) has gained significant importance. A novel database on environment-related provisions for agriculture, fisheries, and forestry (Ag-ERPs) in RTAs allows us to analyse their effects on trade and environmental outcomes. Putting the spotlight on sustainable agricultural practices, these provisions aim to ensure that trade liberalization does not come at the cost of environmental degradation. Agriculture-related environmental provisions can most directly contribute to positive environmental outcomes by altering the trade flows of partner countries within the respective RTAs. The purpose of this study is therefore to explore how Ag-ERPs influence agricultural trade flows between partner countries, with specific emphasis on the composition of trade and the environmental outcomes these provisions might foster. The study analyses the impact of Ag-ERPs on agricultural trade flows using bilateral trade data, which allows for a detailed examination of product-level trade patterns. It looks at both economic and environmental effects.

Le marché parallèle des devises en Algérie affiche une stabilité remarquable ces derniers jours, notamment au niveau du Square Port-Saïd à Alger, principal baromètre informel […]

L’article Taux de change en Algérie : ce que révèlent les derniers chiffres de l’euro et du dollar est apparu en premier sur .

Face à l’explosion de la demande estivale, Air Algérie muscle son programme. La compagnie nationale déploie des centaines de vols supplémentaires vers l’international et renforce […]

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Der neuesten Steuerschätzung zufolge dürfte der Gesamtstaat bis 2030 jedes Jahr fast 18 Milliarden Euro weniger als noch im Oktober erwartet zur Verfügung haben. Auf Bundesebene fehlen im Vergleich zum vergangene Woche präsentierten Finanzplan des Bundesfinanzministers im kommenden Jahr voraussichtlich vier Milliarden Euro und 2028 und 2029 jeweils zwei Milliarden Euro. Dazu eine Einschätzung von Teresa Schildmann, Wissenschaftlerin in der Abteilung Makroökonomie im Deutschen Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW Berlin) und Mitglied des Arbeitskreises Steuerschätzung:

Die aktuelle Steuerschätzung ist ein Warnsignal für die Finanzpolitik der Bundesregierung. Der finanzielle Spielraum des Bundes wird wieder enger – nicht nur aufgrund der wirtschaftlichen Folgen des Iran-Kriegs, sondern auch wegen zusätzlicher steuerlicher Entlastungsmaßnahmen der vergangenen Monate. Das dürfte die Haushaltsaufstellung für die kommenden Jahre weiter erschweren.  

Zwar profitiert der Staat kurzfristig teilweise von höheren Preisen vor allem bei Energie, da diese die Einnahmen etwa bei der Umsatzsteuer erhöhen. Gleichzeitig überwiegen jedoch die negativen Effekte: Die hohe Unsicherheit belastet Konsum und Investitionen, die wirtschaftliche Dynamik schwächt sich ab und insbesondere bei gewinnabhängigen Steuern fallen die Einnahmen geringer aus. Hinzu kommen neue steuerpolitische Maßnahmen wie die dauerhafte Umsatzsteuersenkung in der Gastronomie, die dauerhafte Senkung der Stromsteuer für das produzierende Gewerbe oder der Tankrabatt, also die temporäre Absenkung der Energiesteuer auf Kraftstoffe, die die öffentlichen Haushalte zusätzlich belasten.  

Die Bundesregierung steht damit zunehmend vor einem Zielkonflikt: Einerseits besteht weiterhin der politische Wunsch nach Entlastungen für Bürger*innen sowie Unternehmen. Andererseits werden die Spielräume für zusätzliche Ausgaben kleiner. Zusätzliche Einnahmen durch höhere Verbrauchsteuern etwa auf Tabakprodukte und zuckerhaltige Getränke können dabei nur begrenzt helfen.  

Es spricht daher vieles dafür, dass die Politik künftig stärker auf die Ausgabenseite schauen muss. Dazu gehören eine konsequentere Prüfung und gegebenenfalls der Abbau von Subventionen, eine effizientere Verwaltung und langfristig auch Reformen bei den Sozialversicherungssystemen. Entscheidend wird sein, die öffentlichen Finanzen nachhaltig zu stabilisieren, ohne die wirtschaftliche Erholung zusätzlich zu belasten.

Le Forum d’affaires algéro-turc, tenu ce jeudi à Ankara, marque un tournant décisif dans les relations économiques entre les deux nations. Sous la coprésidence des […]

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On trouve du sel dans presque toutes les cuisines. Mais comment cet ingrédient en apparence si simple est-il devenu l'exhausteur de goût préféré au monde ?

As claims of xenophobia in South Africa mount, Ghana calls on the African Union to send a fact-finding mission.

Next AFET committee meeting will be held on:

Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 June 2026, room ANTALL 2Q2, Brussels

Meetings are webstreamed with the exception of agenda items held "in camera".

AFET - DROI calendar of meetings 2026
Meeting documents
Webstreaming
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

La compagnie aérienne low cost suspend ses vols vers la deuxième ville de Grèce en raison d'un différend concernant les redevances aéroportuaires

The post Ryanair va cesser ses activités à Thessalonique appeared first on Euractiv FR.

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The post Le G7 dénonce la « coercition économique » dans une pique adressée à la Chine appeared first on Euractiv FR.

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L’article Après sa visite à Alger, Laurent Nuñez affirme avoir obtenu plus de 140 laissez-passer est apparu en premier sur .

Malawian Farmers harvest sweet potatoes in fields where no chemicals have been used. Credit: Albert Khumalo

By Benson Kunchezera and Tanka Dhakal
LILONGWE & VIENTIANE, May 7 2026 (IPS)

For decades, pesticides have been a quiet pillar of Malawi’s agriculture, guarding crops against pests, improving yields, and sustaining millions of livelihoods. But beneath this success story lay a troubling reality: weak regulation, unsafe handling practices, and growing threats to human health and the environment.

Between 2015 and 2023, USD 2.55 million by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) set out to confront these challenges head-on. Today, it is leaving behind a legacy that is transforming how Malawi manages pesticides from importation to disposal and reshaping the way farmers think about crop protection.

At the centre of this shift is a stronger institutional framework. The project supported a comprehensive review of national pesticide regulations, bringing them closer to international standards. It also invested in training regulatory staff in pesticide registration, monitoring, enforcement, and lifecycle management, areas that had long remained underdeveloped.

“We invested heavily in strengthening systems, not just solving immediate problems,” said Precious Chizonda, Registrar of the Pesticides Control Board of Malawi and former National Coordinator for the GEF project. “This has positioned Malawi to better manage pesticides across their entire lifecycle, from importation to disposal.”

A major milestone was the development of a strategic plan for the Pesticides Control Board (PCB), aimed at improving efficiency and aligning operations with global best practices. Collaboration played a crucial role. The Malawi Bureau of Standards provided laboratory services for pesticide quality testing, while the Ministry of Agriculture ensured policy coordination. Together, these institutions helped elevate the PCB’s effectiveness and national visibility.

Some examples of pesticide-free farming include bananas grown using manure and tomatoes grown using neem water to deter pests and a woman farmer is shown mixing ash with her pigeon peas for storage to protect them from weevils. Credit: Albert Khumalo

Obsolete Pesticides

The project also delivered concrete environmental results. Approximately 208 tonnes of obsolete pesticides — including highly hazardous persistent organic pollutants — were safely destroyed through high-temperature incineration. Another 40 tonnes of contaminated waste were secured in an engineered landfill. These efforts eliminated long-standing sources of soil and water pollution, protecting ecosystems and communities.

Equally significant was the introduction of a pilot system for managing empty pesticide containers. Initially constrained by regulatory challenges, the initiative has since gained traction and continues beyond the project’s lifespan. Supported by industry stakeholders such as CropLife, it now collects used containers from farms across the country, demonstrating a viable model for environmentally sound waste management.

A field of irish potatoes grown without using chemicals. Credit: Albert Khumalo

Farm Level Changes

But perhaps the most profound change is happening at the farm level.

In Lichenza, under Chiladzulu’s Thumbwe Extension Planning Area, 39-year-old farmer Emily Zuwedi recalls how deeply rooted pesticide use once was. “We used to believe in pesticides when growing our crops, but that is now a thing of the past,” she said.

Zuwedi joined a farmer training group in 2017, where she learned about integrated pest management (IPM) and alternative methods that reduce reliance on chemicals. Today, she grows onions and beans using these techniques, cutting costs while protecting her health and the environment.

“I am spending less money now, and my crops are still doing well,” she said.

Her experience reflects a broader shift among smallholder farmers. Albert Khumalo, an Extension Development Officer in Chiladzulu, said the transition was not immediate. “At first it was difficult for farmers to accept, but after the trials they get along,” he explained.

Since 2024, Khumalo and his team have trained at least 100 farmers in pesticide-free farming methods. The results are encouraging – farmers are reducing production costs, improving soil health, and becoming more environmentally conscious.

“This program is helping farmers conserve the environment while also saving money,” Khumalo said. “And those who learn are now able to share knowledge with others.”

The project has also strengthened Malawi’s compliance with international chemical conventions by building expertise in risk assessment and regulatory procedures, an area where the country previously faced challenges.

While gaps remain, particularly in scaling up initiatives to reach more smallholder farmers, the progress is undeniable. Malawi is demonstrating that agricultural productivity and environmental protection do not have to be at odds.

Across the country’s fields, a quiet transformation is underway – one in which safer practices, stronger systems, and informed farmers are cultivating not just crops but also a more sustainable future.

In Lao PDR, the UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry lead a $4.2 million GEF-funded FARM project. Credit: Lao farmer network

Laos Sustainable Farming

However, GEF funding is being used in several parts of the world, including Asia.

In Lao PDR, GEF funding is helping farmers adopt and apply practices that promote sustainable agriculture.

Laos farmers are being trained and given extension support to “reduce dependence on hazardous pesticides while integrating environmentally friendly pest management approaches”, Saithong Phengboupha, project manager at the Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said.

“This aligns their practices with good agricultural standards, translating upstream policy gains into tangible on-farm change.”

According to the Ministry, GEF funding has been helpful to create the foundation by strengthening the legislative and regulatory environment governing pesticide and agricultural input management.

“Key milestones include the promulgation of the Law on Crop Production and the development of decrees on fertiliser regulation and good agricultural practices (GAP), currently in the final stages. The instruments establish the legal basis for sustained enforcement and compliance beyond the project lifecycle,” Phengboupha said, explaining how FARM funding is being used to improve the agricultural future of the country.

The $4.2 million initiative through the FARM project is led by the UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

The FARM project is establishing a pilot on agrochemical container and plastic waste management in Viengphoukha District, Luang Namtha Province.

Smallholder farmers have responded to the pesticide management training and promotion of alternatives to chemical pesticides. Credit: Marco J Haenssgen/Unsplash

Integrated Pest Management

According to the ministry, the pilot is designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of a structured approach for the collection, interim storage, and environmentally sound management of empty pesticide containers.

“It also aims to strengthen institutional coordination among relevant government agencies, local authorities, and private sector stakeholders, while enhancing farmer awareness and compliance with recommended practices, including triple rinsing, segregation, and safe return mechanisms,” he said.

The project has supported awareness-raising and capacity building among local authorities, extension workers, and farmers on the risks associated with obsolete and banned pesticides, as well as on safe handling, repackaging, and temporary storage practices. In selected locations, pilot measures have been introduced to improve containment, labelling, and secure storage to minimise environmental and health risks.

Phengboupha says smallholder farmers in Lao PDR have generally responded positively to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training and the promotion of alternatives to chemical pesticides supported by the FARM project. He added “training interventions have contributed to improved understanding of pest ecology, safer pesticide use practices, and the benefits of adopting non-chemical and low-toxicity control methods, including biological control, cultural practices, and mechanical measures.”

However, adoption rates vary depending on access to extension services, market pressures, availability of alternative inputs, and perceived short-term effectiveness of chemical pesticides.

“Constraints remain, including limited access to certified biopesticides, weak input supply chains for IPM alternatives, and continued reliance on agrochemical vendors for technical advice in some areas,” he added.

Note: The Eighth Global Environment Facility Assembly will be held from May 30 to June 6, 2026, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

This feature is published with the support of the GEF. IPS is solely responsible for the editorial content, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of the GEF.

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

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African and European parliamentarians will meet in Eswatini from 12 to 14 May to discuss possible ways to cooperate on security, youth policy and critical raw materials.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

African and European parliamentarians will meet in Eswatini from 12 to 14 May to discuss possible ways to cooperate on security, youth policy and critical raw materials.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

African and European parliamentarians will meet in Eswatini from 12 to 14 May to discuss possible ways to cooperate on security, youth policy and critical raw materials.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

African and European parliamentarians will meet in Eswatini from 12 to 14 May to discuss possible ways to cooperate on security, youth policy and critical raw materials.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP