EU News Radio

Korea re-opens beef market to Ireland & France – EC

Irish beef producers will once again be able to export beef to the Republic of Korea following the removal of local restrictions on EU beef. In 2001, the Korean market was closed to beef imports from 15 EU Member States due to outbreaks of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy).

Korea re-opened its market to EU beef from Denmark and the Netherlands in 2019. And now that’s being extended to France and Ireland. The Republic of Korea is one of the biggest import markets for beef in the world.  Speaking today through an interpreter, European Commission spokesman Olof Gill announced news of the trade barriers being lifted.

Out words: eliminated

Dur: 00:17

Farmers “core’’ players in winning EU Natura 2000 project

Farmers played a “core” role in an Irish project that’s just won an EU Natura 2000 award.  That’s according to Derek McLoughlin, the Project Manager of the LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature project.

The Wild Atlantic Nature project is funded by the EU LIFE programme. It aims to develop capacity among farmers to deliver improved ecosystem services by directly linking farmers’ agri-environment payments, to the ecological condition of their land. The project was found to have delivered “an extremely convincing demonstration of how farmers can be paid fairly and effectively to protect Natura 2000 sites and habitats”. Here's Derek McLoughlin.

Out words: and so on

Dur: 00:22

Old farm buildings restoration scheme an EU winner

An Irish scheme to restore traditional farm buildings has won a 2024 European Heritage award. The Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme is co-funded by the Irish government and the European Union under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme. Its aim is to help farmers recognise the cultural value of traditional Irish farm buildings and to ensure they are conserved for agricultural use.

Anna Meenan, from the Heritage Council, is the scheme’s Programme Manager. She explains what kind of grants are given under the scheme.

Out words: all covered

Dur: 00:45

Traditional farm buildings scheme wins EU award

An Irish project to restore traditional farm buildings has won a 2024 European Heritage award. The Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme is co-funded by the Irish government and the European Union under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme. Its aim is to help farmers recognise the cultural value of traditional Irish farm buildings and to ensure they are conserved for agricultural use.

Anna Meenan, from the Heritage Council, is the scheme’s Programme Manager. She explains what kind of farm buildings are eligible for grants under the scheme.  

Out words: the farm

Dur: 00:50

EU to raise “grave concerns” with Israel - Martin

EU foreign ministers want to convene a meeting of the EU-Israeli Association Council to seek a response from Israel regarding provisional orders by the International Court of Justice. That’s according to Micheál Martin who was speaking in Brussels today.

Last week the ICJ ordered Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah in the Gaza Strip. And it reiterated calls on Israel to let humanitarian aid into Gaza. Last night Israel struck a refugee camp in Rafah that reportedly left dozens dead.  Mr Martin described the attack as “barbaric”.

Out words: safe zone

Dur: 00:20

“Very clear” EU Consensus on Israel heeding ICJ ruling – Martin

The Tánaiste says there’s “very clear” consensus at an EU level that Israel needs to adhere to recent orders by the International Court of Justice. Last week the ICJ ordered Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. And it reiterated calls on Israel to let humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Micheál Martin was speaking in Brussels following a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Out words: in Rafah

Dur: 00:28

Farming crisis in Brussels spotlight – McConalogue

The current crisis in the agriculture sector was in the spotlight in Brussels again today during an EU Agriculture and Fisheries ministerial meeting. Minister Charlie McConalogue said particular attention was given to the importance of how the EU can assist farmers in difficult times.  
 
Out words: within Ireland
Dur:  00:12

von der Leyen promises ‘strong Europe’

The incumbent president of the European Commission has promised a ‘strong Europe’ if she is given another five years in the job. Ursula von der Leyen took part in a televised debate up against four other candidates this afternoon. Since the start of the campaign she said she has been to nearly a dozen EU countries gathering opinions. She says can deliver what people want.

 

Out words: for our security

Dur: 0’21”

Socialists pitch “good jobs” for young people

The green transition must not come at the price of good jobs – that’s according to the European Socialists. In a debate between lead candidates for the European Commission presidency and the Euro elections, the centre-left focused their pitch on jobs. Nicolas Schmit for the Party of European Socialists said that young people want a greener future, but they also want good and secure jobs.

 

Out words: precarious jobs

Dur: 0’15”

Greens call for farm subsidy reform

The Greens candidate for European Commission president has called for an overhaul of EU farm subsides. The current Common Agricultural Policy has a budget of €387 billion until 2027 and yet many farmers are struggling. Speaking in a debate between the lead candidates in the European elections, the Greens’ Terry Reintke says it is clear the system needs to change for the sake of the environment and for farmers’ livelihoods.

 

Out words: this transformation

Dur: 0’20”