This Week in Agri-Food — Brussels (#16, 2026)
EU anti-dumping duties on Chinese pea protein; livestock sector strategy adopted; new Mercosur agri-food quotas; disease measures for livestock; Commission unveils crisis State aid for agri-food.
April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026
EU anti-dumping duties on Chinese pea protein; livestock sector strategy adopted; new Mercosur agri-food quotas; disease measures for livestock; Commission unveils crisis State aid for agri-food.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Informal meeting of agriculture ministers: On May 03, the EU Council's Informal meeting of agriculture ministers configuration is scheduled to hold an informal meeting ministerial meeting in Brussels.
- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI): On May 04, the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as regards certain production, labelling and certification rules and certain rules on trade with third countries; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On May 04, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; ------; Amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, (EU) 2019/944, (EU) 2024/1788 as regards acceleration of permit-granting procedures.
- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI): On May 05, the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as regards certain production, labelling and certification rules and certain rules on trade with third countries; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI): On May 05, the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; Amending Council Directive 98/58/EC and Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements, and repealing Council Directives 82/711/EEC and 85/572/EEC; Amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 1829/2003, (EC) No 1831/2003, (EC) No 852/2004, (EC) No 853/2004, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1099/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) 2017/625 as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On May 05, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; Amending Council Directive 98/58/EC and Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements, and repealing Council Directives 82/711/EEC and 85/572/EEC; Amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 1829/2003, (EC) No 1831/2003, (EC) No 852/2004, (EC) No 853/2004, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1099/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) 2017/625 as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On May 05, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Exchange of views with the Commission on the Implementation of the EU Taxonomy Regulation (Scrutiny session).
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On May 05, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; ------; Amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, (EU) 2019/944, (EU) 2024/1788 as regards acceleration of permit-granting procedures.
- Committee on International Trade (INTA): On May 06, the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Addressing the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity on the Union steel market; Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan relating to the modification of concessions on all the tariff rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union; A new era of EU mini-trade deals.
- Committee on Fisheries (PECH): On May 06, the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries (PECH) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Allocation of fishing opportunities by Member States: A vade mecum on the application of Articles 16 and 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy; Chair’s announcements.
European Commission
Commission adopts temporary State aid framework for agri-food amid Middle East crisis
On 28 April 2026, the European Commission adopted the Middle East crisis Temporary State aid Framework (METSAF), introducing targeted measures to support sectors most affected by the ongoing crisis. The framework, applicable until 31 December 2026, allows Member States to compensate agriculture, fishery, land transport, and intra-EU short sea shipping sectors for up to 70% of extra fuel and fertiliser costs. It also provides a simplified aid option of up to €50,000 per beneficiary and temporarily increases aid intensity for energy-intensive industries under the Clean Industrial Deal State aid Framework. The METSAF complements existing State aid rules and responds to the European Council’s call of 19 March 2026 for urgent action to address energy and input price volatility. Member States must notify the Commission of measures under the framework for approval.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Provisional anti-dumping duties imposed on Chinese pea protein
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/916 of 27 April 2026 introduced a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of high-protein pea protein from China. The regulation, published in OJ L 2026/916 on 28 April 2026, sets duties at 40.5% for Sanjia Group and cooperating companies, and 67.4% for Shuangta Group and all other imports. The decision follows an investigation under Regulation (EU) 2016/1036, which found significant injury to EU producers due to dumped imports. The duties apply to a range of CN codes covering pea protein for both food and feed use.
EU amends tariff quotas for Mercosur agri-food imports under new trade agreement
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/996 of 29 April 2026 amends Implementing Regulations (EU) 2020/761 and 2020/1988 to create and adapt tariff quotas for imports of several agricultural products from Mercosur countries. The changes follow the Interim Agreement on Trade between the EU and Mercosur, provisionally applied from 1 May 2026. The regulation details new and amended quotas for beef, sugar, maize, dairy, poultry, and ethanol, and introduces transitional arrangements for quota management in 2026. The implementing act references Council Decision (EU) 2026/183 and adapts documentary requirements for imports.
Commission sets new duties and prices for molasses imports in sugar sector
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1003 of 27 April 2026 establishes representative prices, import duties, and additional import duties for molasses in the sugar sector, effective from 1 May 2026. The regulation, published in OJ L 2026/1003, updates the applicable rates under Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 and repeals Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/120. It defines calculation methods in line with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2834 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2835.
European Parliament
Parliament adopts livestock sector strategy in response to food security and animal disease challenges
On 30 April 2026, the European Parliament debated and adopted the report by Carlo Fidanza (A10-0088/2026) on securing a sustainable future for the EU livestock sector. The report calls for a data-driven strategy, innovation, and measures to support productivity, resilience, and response to animal disease outbreaks. Parliament proposes a high-level group on livestock, stronger CAP support, targeted promotion, and enhanced coordination of vaccination and compensation mechanisms.
Parliament approves regulation on welfare and traceability of dogs and cats
On 28 April 2026, MEPs voted on the report by Veronika Vrecionová (A10-0104/2025) regarding the proposal for a regulation on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats (COM(2023)0769). The regulation aims to improve animal welfare standards and introduces requirements for registration and identification.
MEPs adopt position on European Chemicals Agency and regulatory simplification
On 29 April 2026, Parliament adopted the report by Christophe Clergeau (A10-0093/2026) on the regulation of the European Chemicals Agency, amending several key regulations including (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH), (EU) No 528/2012 (biocides), and others. The text supports targeted simplification while maintaining consumer and environmental protection.
EU Council
Agriculture and Fisheries Council debates post-2027 CAP and wildfire prevention
On 27 April 2026, agriculture ministers exchanged views on 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
FEMM Committee adopts report calling for action to empower women in rural areas
On 30 April 2026, the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) adopted a report urging comprehensive measures to improve gender equality and support women’s entrepreneurship in rural, island, and remote regions. The report highlights the need for better access to land, finance, and childcare, as well as targeted support in the post-2027 CAP and Horizon Europe.
AGRI Committee supports Parliament calls for livestock sector resilience
On 30 April 2026, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) issued a press release following Parliament’s adoption of proposals to reinforce productivity, efficiency, and disease management in the EU livestock sector. The committee notes the importance of innovation, CAP budget protection, and coordinated vaccination strategies.
What We're Reading This Week
- Consiglio “Agricoltura e pesca”, 27 aprile 2026: EU agriculture and fisheries ministers to meet on April 27, 2026, to discuss policy updates and sector challenges.
- Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 27 April 2026: EU ministers convene to address agricultural policy, fisheries management, and food supply challenges across member states.
- System of entry prices and export refunds in the fruit and vegetables sector: EU entry prices and export refunds are shaping trade dynamics and competitiveness in the fruit and vegetables market.
- Driving sustainable farming: new guidance for CAP 2028–2034: EU releases updated CAP guidelines to boost sustainable agriculture practices and support farmers for the 2028–2034 policy period.
- Fertiliser crisis caused by Iran war sparks global food security fears: Escalating conflict in Iran disrupts fertilizer supplies, raising concerns over potential worldwide food shortages and price spikes.
