The most prominent version of a COVID-19 vaccine was developed through genetic engineering. The is a novelty in vaccine science, because it allows for easier processes in the way we fight diseases such as COVID-19. As Cornell’s Alliance for Science explains: “That’s what the “m” in mRNA stands for : messenger. Messenger RNA just carries […]
The European Union’s new plastic tax has come into effect on January 1. You’ll see this new tax often described as an EU-tax that you pay directly as a consumer into a treasury in Brussels. While that indirectly true, it’s important to understand how it works. The plastic tax charges a tax of 80 Euro […]
It’s the first ConsEUmer episode of 2021, still hosted by yours truly. This week on ConsEUmer: -> Hope for e-scooters in Ireland -> Lab-grown meat creates opportunities and challenges -> It’s Brexit time
Last 2020 ConsEUmer episode ! This time with CCC’s own David Clement on the CANZUK free trade agreement. Other topics in this podcast: -> New EU plastic tax tomorrow -> GMO derogation -> UK travel bans
This video was recorded by Lëtzebuerger Journal in December 2020, for the show “Elo mol éierlech” (Let’s be honest) that I am hosting on their digital platform. The video is available for free on the website of Journal. (original language: Luxembourgish // subtitles available in English) Here is a short clip: If you want to […]
Christmas Eve episode of ConsEUmer out now! This week with Adam Bartha, on the EU’s new rule of law conditionality for the budget. Other topics in this podcast: -> European Year of Rail 2021-> Dangerous gifts under your Christmas tree-> New EU rules for drones
A new ConsEUmer episode was released last week. This time with Brussels policy analyst Pieter Cleppe, on the latest Euro Summit in Brussels, and on the new EU budget. Other topics in this podcast: -> EU reforms airline slots -> RyanAir opposes bailouts -> Nutri-Score battle continues
Mycotoxin contamination is set to become a bigger problem as climate change evolves. In order to prevent food safety and food security, European farmers need adequate crop protection tools…. What do you do when you see a set of mould on the marmalade in your fridge? The unfortunate conventional household wisdom is to remove it, […]
The European Commission’s new Farm To Fork strategy aims at a significant increase in organic farming in Europe. The implication that organic is better seems to have become the predominant belief in agricultural politics. However, it doesn’t hold up to the… Organic farming benefits from special derogations in public discourse — it in fact does […]
A French scientist has won a Nobel Prize for a technology that has been made illegal for use in agriculture by the European Union… One wonders how exactly the news was received in the European Commission when two female scientists, one of which French, received the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, for the development of […]
Bill Wirtz 