This Week in Agri-Food — Brussels (#19, 2026)
Commission announces Fertiliser Action Plan; CAP flexibilities for farmers; Emergency disease measures in livestock; EU-US agri-food trade deal; African swine fever controls updated.
May 17, 2026 to May 23, 2026
Commission announces Fertiliser Action Plan; CAP flexibilities for farmers; Emergency disease measures in livestock; EU-US agri-food trade deal; African swine fever controls updated.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Agriculture and Fisheries Council: On May 26, the EU Council's Agriculture and Fisheries Council configuration is scheduled to hold an ministerial meeting in Brussels.
European Commission
Commission adopts Fertiliser Action Plan: measures for farm input costs and supply security
On 18 May, the European Commission adopted the Fertiliser Action Plan to address rising fertiliser costs and shortages impacting the agricultural sector. President Ursula von der Leyen characterised the initiative as an investment in Europe's fertiliser industry and food sovereignty, with Commissioner Christophe Hansen emphasising competitiveness and strategic autonomy in the sector. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto and Commissioner Hansen outlined a dual-track approach: providing immediate support for farmers and driving the transition towards bio-based and circular fertilisers. The plan foresees a financial support package, forthcoming before the summer, and legislative proposals to increase flexibility in national Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plans, aiming for simplified liquidity and payment schemes for farmers. Medium-term measures include fostering domestic production, scaling organic fertiliser alternatives, and launching an EU fertiliser value chain partnership for better industry dialogue and resilience. The Commission also cited efforts to clarify regulatory frameworks around alternative fertiliser products and nutrient management.
ec.europa.eu | ec.europa.eu | ec.europa.eu
Commission publishes guidance clarifying application of EU water laws for strategic sectors
On 21 May, the Commission published new guidance to harmonise the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, supported by the Groundwater Directive and Environmental Quality Standards Directive. The document seeks to reduce compliance uncertainties for Member States and industry, explicitly referencing critical raw materials and sectors such as agriculture and mining. It sets out how flexibilities and exemptions, introduced through recent legislative amendments, apply to short-term deterioration projects and relocation of pollution. The guidance intends to accelerate permitting processes for critical projects and is part of the broader RESourceEU Action Plan and Water Resilience Strategy. The Commission reiterated that while the guidance streamlines procedures, it does not replace or alter legal obligations.
Commission proposes €144 million from EU Solidarity Fund for climate disaster recovery
On 17 May, the European Commission proposed mobilising €144 million from the EU Solidarity Fund to aid Spain, Romania, and Cyprus following climate-related disasters in 2025. Funds are earmarked for wildfire and flood recovery, including restoring agricultural and rural infrastructure. The aid, targeting damaged areas and services, must be approved by the European Parliament and Council before disbursement. This mobilisation follows record wildfires and severe flooding, with the Commission also referencing its integrated wildfire risk management approach presented in March 2026.
Commission registers two new European Citizens’ Initiatives for biodiversity and ecosystem protection
The Commission registered two European Citizens’ Initiatives (ECIs) on 18 May: 'Rights for Nature: Empower Citizens to Represent and Protect Ecosystems' and 'Reconnecting nature through the creation of European biodiversity corridors'. Both initiatives passed formal admissibility checks under the ECI Regulation. Organisers now have six months to begin collecting signatures; if they achieve one million supporters from at least seven Member States, the Commission will decide on follow-up actions.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Special disease control measures for African swine fever amended in multiple Member States
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1136 of 20 May 2026 amends Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, updating restricted zones in Germany, Italy, Poland, and Slovakia due to new outbreaks of African swine fever in wild and domestic pigs. The regulation refines boundaries for restricted zones of varying levels and corrects previous errors in the German entries. The measures take immediate effect following publication.
Commission authorises exceptional support for Slovakia’s milk and pigmeat sectors after foot and mouth disease
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1100 of 21 May 2026 provides for 60% EU part-financing, up to EUR 2,092,445, to address losses in Slovakia’s milk and pigmeat sectors from the March-April 2025 foot and mouth disease outbreak. Eligible support concerns production losses due to movement restrictions, with strict eligibility and payment periods set through 31 October 2026.
Commission amends emergency disease control zones: lumpy skin disease in Italy and sheep pox in Romania
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1145 updates protected and surveillance zones for lumpy skin disease in Sardinia, Italy, following four new outbreaks in May. Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1108 replaces and consolidates emergency control zones for sheep pox and goat pox in Mureș county, Romania, after newly notified cases. Both decisions adjust spatial and temporal scope of control zones and repeal prior measures.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
Commission tightens controls on avian influenza in EU and updates third-country import authorisations
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1091 of 12 May 2026 amends emergency zones in Czechia, Estonia, France, Austria, and Poland following more than 30 avian influenza outbreaks. Simultaneously, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1140 adjusts the authorisation list for poultry imports from the United States and Canada after recent avian influenza outbreaks, suspending and restoring zones as animal health situations evolve.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
Commission cancels protected designations and rejects new applications: agricultural foodstuffs
Two applications for geographical indications from Türkiye—‘Geyve Ayvası’ (PDO) and ‘Denizli Leblebisi’ (PGI)—were rejected due to insufficient documentation and non-conformity under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143. The Commission also cancelled the protected designation of origin ‘Ambt Delden’ (PDO) for the Netherlands, following a national request and absence of opposition.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
EU and China conclude WTO agreement to modify agri-food tariff rate quotas post-Brexit
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1076 of 5 May 2026 approves the EU-China agreement on the apportionment of agricultural and food tariff rate quotas under WTO rules, reflecting the removal of UK volumes. The agreement sets new quota levels for various products, including garlic, rice, and processed meat. The formal text was published in OJ L 2026/1077.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
EU Council
Agriculture ministers to address EU fertiliser supply and trade issues at Council meeting
On 26 May, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council is scheduled to discuss the availability and affordability of fertilisers in the EU, as well as current trade-related agricultural matters.
EP Committee Work
CONT Committee MEPs to assess agricultural spending and fraud risks in Greece
A delegation of the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT), led by Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, CZ), will meet Greek officials and stakeholders to examine agricultural payments, subsidy fraud investigations, and steps for increasing transparency in EU funds. The visit includes talks with the minister for rural development, payment agencies, and a press conference on 28 May in Athens.
PETI Committee examines environmental and economic impacts in French Caribbean islands
Ten MEPs from the Committee on Petitions (PETI), chaired by Bogdan Rzońca (ECR, Poland), will conduct a fact-finding mission in Guadeloupe to review the management of sargassum seaweed influxes and the functioning of the 'octroi de mer' dock dues regime. The programme includes visits to affected coastal sites, local stakeholder discussions, and a press conference on 28 May.
AGRI Committee notes Parliament vote to enhance EU single market for forest reproductive material
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) announced Parliament's adoption of new rules to improve quality and traceability of forest reproductive material. Rapporteur Herbert Dorfmann (EPP, IT) supervised the agreement, which introduces cooperation mechanisms and a five-year application phase-in for Member States.
INTA Committee to discuss political agreement on EU-US trade, including agriculture and seafood
The International Trade Committee (INTA) will hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss the new EU-US trade regulations relating to industrial and agri-food imports, adopted with a sunset clause through to 2029 and measures for tariff suspensions and safeguards. Parliament rapporteur Bernd Lange (S&D, DE) and the Commission have underscored the strengthened review and safeguard mechanisms for sensitive sectors.
What We're Reading This Week
- EU fertiliser subsidies plan is blow to Morocco as Brussels shifts to home-made and green products: Morocco faces export setbacks as the EU prioritizes domestic, environmentally friendly fertiliser production through new subsidy policies.
- EU fertiliser plan exposes link between energy and food bills: Brussels' fertiliser strategy highlights how fluctuating energy costs directly influence food prices across the European Union.
