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By Sharon Kimathi, Energy and ESG Editor, Reuters Digital

Hello!

There’s been plenty of “green” love lost this Valentine’s Day as farmers protest against climate rules across European Union nations, while regulators in both Europe and the United States aim to relax environmental regulations in the agricultural sector, despite it being the most adversely affected by climate change.

Farmers protesting across Europe have taken aim at EU environmental rules over the past few weeks, which they say are adding to a pile of burdens on the sector, from low consumer prices to cheap food imports.

At the same time, agriculture is one of the sectors worst-affected by climate change. 

Europe’s farmers are already suffering under increasing heat, drought and flooding – the same impacts some green policies are attempting to prevent.

Also on my radar today:

• Death toll from Philippine landslide rises to 92, search continues
• Thailand warns of high pollution in capital, officials to work from home
• UK’s Costa Coffee to give workers 9% pay rise

A cow figure hangs from a vehicle, as French farmers stage a protest near the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Worsening extreme weather has added to farmers’ woes in recent years.

EU olive oil production plunged to a record low in the 12 months ending June 2023 as drought hit Europe’s major producers. Spain’s core crops, among them wheat, barley and rice, are having their lowest production levels in over a decade.

The European Union expects its overall cereal production to be 4.3% below the 5-year average in the current season, mostly because of bad weather.

Last year, heavy rains delayed the harvest and left wheat crops soaked in areas of France, Germany and Poland. Extreme weather cut apple and pear yields in Italy and Greece, and unusually wet conditions fuelled fungal diseases that damage fruit quality.

Already this year, climate change is affecting the sector . Last month – the world’s hottest January on record – farmers in Italy warned unusually warm winter weather and drought were destroying crops.

The planet has already warmed by 1.2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial times. Lack of water is already plaguing farmers in the drought-prone Mediterranean.

In response to the protests, the EU scrapped, at the last minute, a goal to drop farming emissions from its 2040 climate roadmap last week. For now, Brussels is on the defensive. EU countries’ agriculture ministers meet later this month to discuss more ways to cut red tape for the sector.

Green campaigners criticized the moves, warning that weakening green policies now will hurt farmers in the long run if ecosystems deteriorate further and climate change worsens.

But some farmers say policies are imposed top-down with little understanding of the impact on the ground. Paella rice farmers in Spain say their yields have been slashed by a fungus, after the EU banned the pesticide used to prevent it.

Over in the U.S., congress members from both political parties have been urging the Environmental Protection Agency not to propose a rule that would require farms to report on air emissions from animal waste, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

The EPA is soliciting public comment on whether it should revoke or amend a rule from former President Donald Trump’s administration that exempts animal manure from an environmental statute requiring industry to report chemical releases for the purpose of community information.

Environmental groups want EPA to revoke the rule, saying pollution from animal waste is making people sick in rural communities.

Animal manure can generate hazardous chemicals, such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which can cause irritation and burning to the eyes and respiratory tract.

A vendor reacts as she poses for a photo at Adderley Street Flower Market on Valentine’s Day, in Cape Town, South Africa. REUTERS/Esa Alexander

Morning Bid: A notable sector where inflation will not be slowing is chocolate, and just in time for Valentine’s Day. The price of cocoa jumped 16% last week to hit record highs for nine sessions running.

Prices are up 40% since the start of the year, due to poor harvests in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana that have been exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern. The worry is that global warming could make this a semi-permanent state of affairs. Click here to sign up to the Morning Bid newsletter.

Kendra Casas feeds Sampaguita, a cat rescued by the PAWS, during their “FURst date” on Valentine’s Day at Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

Happy belated Valentine’s Day Switchies! This story from the Philippines has stolen my heart and today’s spotlight this week as the nation’s animal welfare service implements an amazing date idea – taking your pet out on a fun meal.

Filipino pet lovers took some furry friends on a date this Valentine’s Day, showering them with cuddles and treats inside an animal shelter in the Philippine capital.

The Manila-based Philippine Animal Welfare (PAWS) organized a “fur date” where visitors could spend time with the group’s rescued dogs and cats, most of which were abused or neglected by their former owners.

Pet lovers mingled with the rescued pets to encourage adoption instead of buying fur babies.

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