This Week in Agri-Food — Brussels (#15, 2026)
Council discusses post-2027 CAP; Parliament motion on GM soybean MON 94637; Committee opinions on cohesion and rural fund 2028-2034.
April 19, 2026 to April 25, 2026
Council discusses post-2027 CAP; Parliament motion on GM soybean MON 94637; Committee opinions on cohesion and rural fund 2028-2034.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📝 EP Motions & Questions
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Agriculture and Fisheries Council: On April 27, the EU Council's Agriculture and Fisheries Council configuration is scheduled to hold an ministerial meeting in Brussels.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On April 27, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1252; Amending Regulations (EU) 2016/679, (EU) 2016/1036, (EU) 2016/1037, (EU) 2017/1129, (EU) 2023/1542 and (EU) 2024/573 as regards the extension of certain mitigating measures available for small and medium sized enterprises to small mid-cap enterprises and further simplification measures; Chair’s announcements.
EU Council
Ministers debate post-2027 CAP, wildfire prevention, and markets
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council met on 27 April 2026. Ministers exchanged views on the European Commission's proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) framework post-2027, with a particular focus on the structure of income support and the role of agriculture and forest management in wildfire prevention. The Council also addressed the current agri-food market situation across the EU. The meeting reflected ongoing negotiations between Member States regarding CAP priorities and funding distribution after 2027.
EP Motions & Questions
Parliament motion opposes GM soybean MON 94637 authorisation
On 21 April 2026, Martin Häusling, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Biljana Borzan, and Anja Hazekamp tabled a motion for a resolution objecting to the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 94637, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. The motion cites concerns over incomplete risk assessment, unresolved safety questions, and the absence of a qualified majority among Member States.
EP Committee Work
ENVI committee tables resolution on GM soybean MON 94637
The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI), rapporteur Sirpa Pietikäinen, adopted a motion for a resolution on 21 April 2026 regarding the draft Commission implementing decision authorising genetically modified soybean MON 94637 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. The committee document refers to the EFSA opinion of 1 July 2025 and the absence of a qualified majority in the Standing Committee and Appeal Committee. The draft opinion outlines concerns related to molecular characterisation, toxicological data, and compliance with the One Health approach.
SEDE committee issues draft opinion on 2028-2034 Cohesion, Agriculture, and Rural Fund
On 20 April 2026, the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE), rapporteur Ana Catarina Mendes, published its draft opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028-2034 (COM(2025)0565, 2025/0240(COD)). The opinion addresses strategic dependencies, defence and security objectives, and the structure of partnership plans for supporting Member States, including rural and agricultural components.
What We're Reading This Week
- Agriculture and Fisheries Council PRESS: EU agriculture and fisheries ministers convene to discuss policy updates, market conditions, and sustainable resource management strategies.
- European regional development fund (ERDF) opportunity for innovative SMEs and startups to test and validate future-proof arable farming solutions | Enterprise Europe Network: Innovative SMEs and startups can access ERDF funding to pilot and validate advanced technologies for sustainable arable farming.
- Opening statement by Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis at the meeting with the European Parliament AGRI Committee: Valdis Dombrovskis outlines priorities and policy directions for EU agricultural strategy in his address to the AGRI Committee.
- New genomic techniques: Council adopts new rules to boost sustainable and competitive EU food systems: EU Council approves new genomic regulations aiming to enhance sustainability and strengthen competitiveness in European agriculture and food sectors.
- New genomic techniques: Council adopts new rules to boost sustainable and competitive EU food systems: EU adopts new genomic regulations aiming to enhance sustainability, innovation, and competitiveness in its agricultural and food sectors.
