This Week in Agri-Food — Brussels (#14, 2026)
EP adopts livestock sector report; Committees advance chemicals simplification, ECHA reform; MFF draft calls for CAP, rural budget top-ups; Key opinions on rural women, cohesion fund.
April 12, 2026 to April 18, 2026
EP adopts livestock sector report; Committees advance chemicals simplification, ECHA reform; MFF draft calls for CAP, rural budget top-ups; Key opinions on rural women, cohesion fund.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Parliament
Parliament adopts report on securing a sustainable future for the EU livestock sector
The European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development adopted a report on 13 April 2026 (A-10-2026-0088, rapporteur: Carlo Fidanza) addressing the sustainability and resilience of the EU livestock sector (procedure 2025/2053(INI)). The report reviews EU and national measures on food security, animal disease control, farmers' resilience, and environmental issues. It references Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, Regulation (EU) 2024/1468, and the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) 2016/429). The report calls for a coordinated policy response to sector challenges, considers the impact of international trade and market volatility, and notes the importance of generational renewal and regional policy. The report also covers animal welfare, antimicrobial resistance, biosecurity, and the role of livestock in circular and bioeconomy models. The plenary debate and vote are scheduled for 30 April 2026.
Report on women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions adopted
The Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality adopted a report on 13 April 2026 (A-10-2026-0058, rapporteur: Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska) focusing on women's entrepreneurship in rural, island, and outermost regions (procedure 2024/2124(INI)). The report addresses obstacles to entrepreneurship, such as access to finance, digital infrastructure, and social protection. It highlights the gender employment gap in rural areas, the need for targeted support, and calls for gender mainstreaming in rural policy. The opinion of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (rapporteur: Anna Strolenberg) is annexed. The plenary debate and vote are scheduled for 30 April 2026.
EU Council
Agriculture and Fisheries Council to address post-2027 CAP and wildfire management
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council will meet on 27 April 2026 to exchange views on the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy proposals, focusing on income support, the role of agriculture and forest management in wildfire prevention, and the current market situation.
EP Committee Work
ENVI and IMCO committees adopt joint position on Omnibus VI for chemicals, cosmetics, and fertilisers
On 15 April 2026, the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) and Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committees adopted their position on the 'Omnibus VI' legislative package to simplify provisions for the classification, packaging, and labelling of chemicals, cosmetics, and fertilising products. The report supports most Commission proposals but retains requirements for product labelling and supplier contact details. It seeks further simplification measures for fertilising products under Regulation (EU) 2019/1009. The committees also adopted a report by Christophe Clergeau (S&D) on the revision of the Regulation of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), aiming to adapt the agency’s structure and resources.
BUDG Committee adopts interim report on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, supporting increased CAP and cohesion allocations
On 15 April 2026, the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) adopted an interim report on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), calling for a 10% increase over the Commission’s 2025 proposal. The report, co-rapporteurs Siegfried Mureşan (EPP) and Carla Tavares (S&D), supports reinforced allocations for the Common Agricultural Policy, European Social Fund, and cohesion funds, as well as distinct funding lines for rural and fisheries policies, including for outermost regions. The committee stresses transparency, accountability, and the need for new own resources.
ENVI Committee finalises report on European Chemicals Agency regulation revision
On 16 April 2026, the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) finalised its report on the proposal for a regulation revising the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and amending Regulations (EC) No 1907/2006, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) No 649/2012, and (EU) 2019/1021. Rapporteur Christophe Clergeau (S&D) presented recommendations on agency resources and mandate.
ENVI Committee adopts report on amending Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 for biocidal products data protection
On 16 April 2026, the ENVI Committee adopted a report (A-10-2026-0094, rapporteur: Pierfrancesco Maran) on the proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 concerning the extension of certain data protection periods for biocidal products, following a simplified procedure. The position is set for plenary confirmation.
REGI Committee considers draft opinion on post-2027 CAP implementation support
At its 14 April 2026 meeting, the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) discussed a draft opinion, rapporteur André Rougé (PfE), on establishing the conditions for implementing Union support to the Common Agricultural Policy for 2028–2034 (COM(2025)0560; 2025/0241(COD)). Norbert Lins (PPE) is responsible in the AGRI Committee. The meeting also included an exchange with the Association of European Border Regions on cross-border cooperation in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
AGRI Committee issues draft opinion on Union budget expenditure tracking and performance framework
On 14 April 2026, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) published a draft opinion (rapporteur: Maria Noichl) on the proposal to establish a budget expenditure tracking and performance framework and other horizontal rules for Union programmes and activities, addressing implications for agricultural policy.
CONT Committee delivers draft opinion on European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural development
On 15 April 2026, the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) adopted its draft opinion (rapporteur: Eero Heinäluoma) on the regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028–2034. The opinion focuses on assurance and accountability for milestone-based payments and the protection of the Union’s financial interests.
TRAN Committee prepares draft opinion on cohesion, agriculture and rural development fund
On 14 April 2026, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) published a draft opinion (rapporteur: Rosa Serrano Sierra) on the proposal to establish the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028–2034, with emphasis on transport sector priorities.
What We're Reading This Week
- HARVEST: Never ending NGT saga: Ongoing debates over New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) highlight regulatory uncertainty and stalled progress in agricultural innovation.
- Global Sustainable Products Seeks Strategic Investment to Expand Biosecure Waste Upcycling Technology: Global Sustainable Products is pursuing new funding to scale its innovative technology that transforms waste into biosecure, valuable materials.
- Rural development measures: New policies aim to boost economic growth and infrastructure in underserved rural communities.
- Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS): EU's IACS streamlines agricultural subsidy management, enhancing oversight, efficiency, and compliance for farmers and authorities.
- EURAXESS ASEAN Webinar Series: Calls for Funding & Collaboration: Horizon Europe Pillar 2 - Cluster 6 Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment: Researchers in ASEAN are invited to explore Horizon Europe funding opportunities for collaborative projects in food, bioeconomy, and environmental sustainability.
