Abstract: Joint cross–border public procurement is a public procurement procedure in which a contract is awarded jointly by contracting authorities from two or more Member States. Such an approach con-tributes to the fulfilling potential offered by the EU Single Market. The aim of the paper is to con-tribute to the analytical results focused on the evaluation of joint cross–border procurement. The results are processed on the basis of data selected from TED. The results show that this approach in public procurement is not commonly used by contracting authorities. The use of this approach is dominated by the supply of services and the use of open procedure as a tendering procedure. PubDate: Fri, 18 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: Globalization and the pressure to increased industrial agriculture result in deterioration of the environment, climate change and a serious threat to human and animal health. Soil contamination affected by the environmental pollution is one of the most pressing issues in the political and expert debate on food safety within the related EU policies as Common Agricultural Policy, EU agri-environmental, EU food policy and EU health policy. PubDate: Fri, 18 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: Environmental law concepts are expressed in conventions, international binding laws, state practice and soft law commitments. They may be applicable to all foreign community members. These are widely recognized and even approved in the practice of the state.A special feature of international environmental law is that many environmental issues are governed by non–binding soft–law instruments that allow faster responses to international environmental issues. Governments tend to resist legally binding treaty regulation for different reasons but are much more likely to adopt a written action plan or resolution, at least voicing a political will to address an issue. The numerous constitutional standards of several countries must be followed when negotiating international agreements: for example, the way the national parliament must approve and enforce a treaty. The paper investigates the regulation system of international environmental law. PubDate: Fri, 18 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: In the waste sector, EU Member States implement EU legislation. They rely on EU Directives and their waste legislation and policies. During the evaluated period (2015–2021), the Slovak Republic amended the Waste Act 79/2015 Coll. and issued strategy papers following EU legislation. France adopted its National program for prevention of waste and Finland its National waste management plan. In our research, we use a method of comparison and analysis of selected legislative documents to examine the achievement of the Green Deal’s objectives in the Slovak Republic and selected EU countries. We have shown the legislative process results through research, which indicate the achievement of set waste management goals. In our future research we will focus on building waste management infrastructure in the EU since it is necessary to apply the idea promoting the support of such waste treatment facilities that will be sustainable throughout their existence. PubDate: Fri, 18 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: This article addresses issues related to the movement of livestock biological material that is used for reproduction. Its movement may be accompanied by the spread of pathogens. To avoid this, specific instruments have been adopted at EU and national level. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the legal standards adopted in this field, which shape the circulation of biological material in the aspect of livestock health safety. In conclusion, it was stated that the normative solutions established at the EU level lead to the unification and harmonization of conditions concerning trade in biological material of livestock, and thus meet the objectives set out in it. Nevertheless, national regulations should be modified in this respect and supported by executive acts allowing for full implementation of the EU solutions. PubDate: Fri, 18 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: Agricultural land is currently protected by many subjects and institutions. The characteristics of the soil in terms of its functions and importance for individuals or society from perspectives of several scientific disciplines is dealt with by several authors. The aim of the paper is to point out the current state and importance of the agricultural land protection in Slovakia in connection with the threats that affect its quantity and overall quality. The indicators as the area of agricultural land and the structure of the land fund, the evolution of agricultural land withdrawals for non-agricultural purposes and the current state or structure of legislation and institutions in the field of agricultural land protection in Slovakia were evaluated. The paper pointed out the important role of agricultural land in the country, as its area, especially with the majority of arable land and permanent grasslands, represents the majority of the total area of Slovakia. For several years, however, the volume of agricultural land has been steadily declining. This phenomenon is partly caused by the agricultural land withdrawals, which have now managed to stabilize at an average of 1000ha of withdrawn land per year. In Slovakia, there is currently a large number of legislative acts regulating the protection and agricultural land withdrawals, as well as a wide range of state and non-state institutions that operate in the field of agricultural land protection. The effectiveness of the implementation of legislation and the effectiveness of mutual cooperation of institutions seems questionable focusing on the current state of the land fund, which leads to the need to expand research on these aspects. PubDate: Thu, 05 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: Food norms are embodied within all the essential components of food security; availability, access, utilization, and stability. However, the adverse economic influences of these norms are largely under–researched in developing countries. Unique in its scoop, this study thus investigates the impacts of food taboos and preferences (FTP) on food security in Ethiopia, one of the world’s food–insecure nations combined with a culture of strict food norms. On the basis of a qualitative research design with semi–structured in–depth interviews, primary data was collected from eleven key informants of pertinent multidisciplinary backgrounds, experts and decision–makers. The empirical evidence revealed that religious and secular– based FTP have put significant restrictions on the efficient utilization of the existing edible resources in the country. For example, during Orthodox Christian (OC) and Muslim fasting days, the overall food supply chain undergoes economic turbulence. Particularly, the economic challenge of OC fasting is expressed by (1) a decrease in consumption and supply of non–vegan foods, (2) the temporary closure of butcher and dairy shops, (3) an increase in the demand and price of vegan foods, and (4) an overall reduction in consumption and economic transactions. Moreover, the tradition of animal consecration at home has made many Ethiopians to rarely depend on supermarkets, groceries, and other licensed meat shops. In turn, this impedes the country’s endeavor of attracting local and foreign private investors in the general food sector. It also alienates people from access to food labels, meat quality controls, price, size, and choice advantages, all of which are essential for better, adaptive, and stable food utilization. The results discovered in this thesis enrich our understanding on the role of food norms in the economic systems. Particularly, the study sheds light on the indispensable need to consider the subject of FTP in policies and programs aiming to end food insecurity. PubDate: Thu, 05 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: The article presents 9 water alerts illustrating the state and problems of water management in Poland three years after the entry of the new Water Act into force on January 1, 2018. The alerts were developed by a group of experts critically assessing some of the introduced legislative changes. The alerts analyzed the main problems related to drought and flood protection as well as the specificity of water management in cities and rural areas. Postulates to improve the legal regulations in the field of water management and financing, its integration with spatial planning and educational needs in this regard were also presented. The content of 8 alerts is briefly discussed, and the problem of water–agriculture interaction is presented in more detail. The article indicates that legal regulations of water management are particularly difficult as they apply to the entire society, almost all economic sectors and the natural environment, and its preparation must be carried out with extreme care after many analyzes and debates. PubDate: Thu, 05 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: Soil quality issues, together with issues related to healthy food, are becoming key areas of interest at the European level. Both spheres play an important role in the formulation of EU policies such as the EU Common Agricultural Policy, EU Agri–environmental Policy, EU Food Policy but also EU Health Policy. For this reason, deepening knowledge and exchanging experiences in these areas seem to be necessary preconditions for finding ways to respond to current challenges and problems. The project “Quality Soil as a Pathway to Healthy Food in the EU”, acronym FOODIE, also reacts on the mentioned issues. The main aim of the project is to foster an expertise dialogue between the crucial experts (academics, public authorities, professionals from practice) in the field of food/feed management in the EU affecting the achieving the objectives of correlated EU policies and recently adopted European Green Deal.The presented paper is of a disseminating nature and aims to acquaint the reader with the mentioned project. PubDate: Thu, 05 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMT