E

excreta: The waste material excreted from the body of an animal, e.g., faeces, urine, droppings, or sweat. Managing excreta helps farmers maintain hygiene and prevent disease spread.

ecosphere: The part of the Earth and its atmosphere where living organisms exist, including parts of the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and the atmosphere. Also called biosphere. Knowledge of the ecosphere helps farmers adopt practices that protect and sustain the environment.

export refunds: Refunds made by the EU to farmers to compensate for a lower export price for produce. Accessing export refunds helps farmers manage financial stability and market fluctuations.

Escherichia coli: A Gram-negative bacterium commonly found in faeces and associated with acute gastroenteritis if it enters the digestive systems of humans or animals. Understanding E. coli helps farmers ensure food safety and implement measures to prevent contamination.

ecoparasite: A parasite which is adapted to a specific host. Compare ectoparasite, endoparasite. Understanding ecoparasites helps farmers manage pest control and animal health.

earmarking: The process of identifying an animal by attaching a tag to its ear. Earmarking helps farmers keep track of livestock health, breeding, and management efficiently.

environmental pollution: The pollution of the environment by human activities. Preventing environmental pollution helps farmers maintain healthy ecosystems and comply with regulations.

exposed: 1. Referring to something or someone not covered or hidden. 2. Not protected from environmental effects. Left in an exposed position on the hillside. Managing exposure helps farmers protect crops and livestock from environmental stressors.

ephemeral: A plant or insect that has a short life cycle and may complete several life cycles within a year. Many weeds are ephemerals. Managing ephemeral species helps farmers maintain crop health and productivity.

entomological: Referring to insects. Understanding entomology helps farmers manage pests and protect crops.

eyespot: A disease of cereals (Cercosporella herpotrichoides), which causes lesions to form on the stem surface and gray mold inside the stem. Compare sharp eyespot. Managing eyespot disease helps farmers protect crop health and yield.

ecological efficiency: A measurement of how much energy is used at different stages in the food chain or at different trophic levels. Understanding ecological efficiency helps farmers optimize resource use and improve sustainability.

environmental quality standard: A limit for the concentration of an effluent or pollutant which is accepted in a specific environment, e.g., the concentration of trace elements in drinking water or of additives in food. Complying with environmental quality standards helps farmers protect ecosystems and ensure food safety.

emulsifier: A substance added to mixtures of food such as water and oil to hold them together. Stabilizer (NOTE: Emulsifiers are used in sauces and added to meat to increase the water content so that the meat is heavier. In the European Union, emulsifiers and stabilizers have E numbers E322 to E495.) Understanding emulsifiers helps farmers in food processing and product formulation.

environmental impact: The effect upon the environment of actions or events such as large construction programs or the draining of marshes. Understanding environmental impact helps farmers adopt practices that minimize harm to the natural world.

European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund: A fund set up to cover the costs of administering the CAP, financed by the European Union budget. Abbr EAGGF. Accessing EAGGF helps farmers receive financial support for agricultural improvements and sustainability projects.

ecoagriculture: The practice of productive agriculture using methods designed to maintain natural resources, biodiversity, and the landscape. Ecoagriculture benefits farmers by promoting sustainable practices that protect and enhance the environment.

enrich: 1. To make something richer or stronger, e.g., soil can be enriched by adding humus. 2. To improve the nutritional quality of food. Enrich with vitamins. 3. To improve the living conditions of farm animals, e.g., by providing them with larger living areas. Enrichment practices help farmers enhance soil health, food quality, and animal welfare.

emulsifying agent: Same as emulsifier. Emulsifying agents help farmers in food processing and product formulation to create stable and consistent products.

export: Produce or a crop which is sold to a foreign country. To send and sell crops or produce to foreign countries. Understanding export processes helps farmers access international markets and increase sales.

ecotourism: A form of tourism that increases people’s understanding of natural areas, without adversely affecting the environment, and gives local people financial benefits from conserving natural resources. Farmers can benefit from ecotourism by diversifying income sources and promoting conservation.