EU News Radio

Rearming Europe “No 1” Priority – Danish PM

The Prime Minister of Denmark says rearming Europe is a top priority because “the world is changing rapidly” and Europe faces threats “and a very uncertain situation”.   

Mette FREDERIKSEN was speaking in Copenhagen ahead of Denmark’s take-over of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on the first of July. She said Europe is “running out of time because of Russia’s behaviour”.

Dur:00:13

EU vows to make Europe a startup/scaleup powerhouse

The EU is vowing to make Europe “a great place to start and grow global technology-driven companies”. The European Commission today launched its “Startup and Scaleup Strategy”. It aims to help start-up businesses that can struggle to take their ideas from the lab to market or to grow at scale within the EU.

The Commission is taking action in five main areas. These range from simplifying rules and reducing the cost of failure to attracting and retaining top talent. Speaking today at the launch of the strategy, EU Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva explained why it’s critical to support innovative startups.  

Dur: 00:24

Recycle, Repurpose, EU Bloom garden 2025

Reduce your waste and repurpose more resources are the themes of this year’s EU garden at Bloom which starts tomorrow (Thursday 29^th). The Circular Economy is the story behind the European Commission’s “Renewed Blooms” garden, which is designed by David Negus.

The garden shows how waste can be transformed into functional and striking designs. A discarded railway track and old PVC windows are given a new lease of life in the garden. The head of the European Commission’s Representation in Dublin, Peter Power explains more about the garden’s designer David Negus, and the thinking behind his creations. 

Dur: 00:34

Cork “a Maritime haven” – EU McGrath

Ireland’s EU Commissioner, Michael McGrath, says the hosting of one of the biggest EU Maritime events in Cork this year is a “fantastic opportunity” for the city and county. European Maritime Day 2025 will run from today (Wednesday) until Friday.

EMD (European Maritime Day) is an annual event that seeks to raise awareness of the importance of the seas and oceans in everyday life. And it promotes sustainable maritime events across Europe. Commissioner McGrath says Cork is well placed to host this year’s EMD.

Dur: 00:17

Cork European Maritime Day “fantastic opportunity” – McGrath

One of the biggest annual EU Maritime events takes place in Cork this week. European Maritime Day 2025 kicked off today in the city and will run until Friday. EMD (European Maritime Day) seeks to raise awareness of the importance of the seas and oceans in everyday life and to promote sustainable maritime events across Europe.

Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath explains the significance of the event taking place in Cork.

Dur: 00:29

EU-UK Summit a “turning point” in relationship – McGrath

Ireland’s EU Commissioner has welcomed the outcome of Monday’s EU-UK Summit in London. Michael McGrath says it’s “crucial” that the EU and UK have a “cordial and close” working relationship especially given the “volatility and turbulence” in the world.

Dur: 00:18

Cuts to red tape and increased support for farmers – EU

The European Commission is proposing to cut red tape and simplify CAP requirements for farmers.  Today the Commission presented a package of measures to help reduce time-consuming and costly administrative burdens on farmers. The Commission says farmers will  benefit from the removal of overlapping obligations, reduction of on-farm field visits by national authorities, and simplified application procedures.

The European Commissioner for Food and Agriculture, Christoph Hansen, outlined their plans to simplify the Common Agricultural Policy.  

Dur: 01:28

Digital tools to help farmers with EU compliance – Hansen

Digital tools could help farmers to reduce the bulk of reporting they have to comply with when it comes to the Common Agricultural Policy. That’s according to the European Commissioner for Food and Agriculture, Christoph Hansen. He was speaking today in Brussels where the Commission presented a package of measures to help reduce time-consuming and costly administrative burdens on farmers. Commissioner Hansen said the CAP “needs to become more modern”.

Dur: 00:33

EU simplifies CAP rules for farmers

The European Commission today presented a package of measures to help reduce time-consuming and costly administrative burdens and controls on farmers. They’ll (farmers)  benefit from the removal of overlapping obligations, reduction of on-farm field visits by national authorities, and simplified application procedures. The proposals include recognition of diverse farming practices such as organic farming. And streamlined supports for small and medium-sized farms through simplified payments, are also in the package.

EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis today outlined the proposed measures.    

Dur: 00:32

Farmers should concentrate on farming not forms says EU

Farmers should be able to concentrate on farming and not filling out forms. That’s the recommendation from the European Commission which today outlined a series of measures to help reduce time-consuming and costly administrative burdens and controls on farmers. The measures include simplified payment schemes for small farmers and simplified environmental requirements and controls. The Commission says farmers will benefit from the removal of overlapping obligations, reduction of on-farm field visits by national authorities, and simplified application procedures.

Speaking today in Brussels, the European Commissioner for Food and Agriculture, Christoph Hansen, explained more about their plans to simply the Common Agricultural Policy.  

Dur: 00:40