This Week in Agri-Food — Brussels (#21, 2026)
Commission approves Spanish agri aid under METSAF; GM soybean MON 94637 authorised; Avian influenza: new trade measures for Canada, US, UK; New EU rules on antimicrobial imports and synthetic polymers.
May 31, 2026 to June 06, 2026
Commission approves Spanish agri aid under METSAF; GM soybean MON 94637 authorised; Avian influenza: new trade measures for Canada, US, UK; New EU rules on antimicrobial imports and synthetic polymers.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on International Trade (INTA): On June 08, the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Monitoring and controlling drug precursors and repealing Regulations (EC) No 273/2004 and (EC) No 111/2005.
European Commission
Commission approves €54 million Spanish State aid for agricultural companies facing increased fuel prices
On 1 June 2026, the European Commission approved a Spanish State aid scheme totalling €54 million to support agricultural companies facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. The scheme was notified by Spain under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), adopted on 29 April 2026. Aid will take the form of direct grants, calculated at €0.20 per litre of diesel purchased from 22 March to 30 June 2026, covering up to 70% of additional fuel costs. The programme will run until 31 December 2026. The Commission assessed the scheme under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and concluded that it is necessary and proportionate, in line with METSAF conditions (case SA.122724).
Commission accelerates transition away from animal testing in chemical safety assessments
On 31 May 2026, the European Commission presented a roadmap to phase out animal testing in chemical safety assessments. The initiative sets out 22 actions across three pillars, including chemicals for industrial use, pesticides, biocides, pharmaceuticals, and food and feed additives. Implementation will begin immediately, with stakeholders and Member States involved. The roadmap supports the REACH framework and fulfills commitments under the Chemicals Action Plan and the 'Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics' citizens' initiative. A high-level stocktaking conference will be held in 2029 to review progress towards non-animal scientific assessments.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
EU authorises placing on market of genetically modified soybean MON 94637
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1185 of 2 June 2026 authorises products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 94637 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. The authorisation covers food, feed, and non-food uses except cultivation, following a favourable EFSA opinion. The decision applies for a period of 10 years and assigns the unique identifier MON-94637-8.
Antimicrobial medicinal product restrictions for animal imports: new consolidated rules
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1189 amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405 as regards restrictions on antimicrobial medicinal products and repeals Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598. The regulation updates lists of third countries permitted to export animals and products of animal origin, aligning import conditions with Article 118(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/6 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/905. The changes apply from 3 September 2026.
Additional trade measures for avian influenza: Canada, United States, United Kingdom
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1207 amends Annexes V and XIV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, modifying the lists of third countries authorised to export poultry, germinal products, and fresh meat of poultry and game birds to the EU. Updates follow new highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks reported by Canada and the US and reauthorise certain UK zones. The changes are effective immediately upon publication.
Synthetic polymer microparticles: updated REACH restrictions
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1168 amends Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) concerning restrictions on synthetic polymer microparticles. The amendments clarify derogations for clinical trials, pre-clinical safety testing, and product/process-oriented research and development (PPORD) and reinforce limits on short-duration end uses. Retroactive provisions apply from 17 October 2023.
Sheep pox and goat pox emergency measures in Greece and Romania amended
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1191 (Greece) and 2026/1217 (Romania) update restrictions and timeframes for emergency measures concerning sheep pox and goat pox outbreaks under Regulation (EU) 2016/429. The spatial scope and duration of protection, surveillance, and restricted zones are adjusted due to new outbreaks notified in both Member States.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
Representative prices and import duties for molasses in sugar sector from 1 June 2026
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1187 of 26 May 2026 fixes the representative prices, import duties, and additional import duties applicable to molasses in the sugar sector from 1 June 2026 under Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2834.
EP Committee Work
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development discusses amendments to Common Market Organisation and agri-food policy files
At its meeting on 1-2 June 2026, the AGRI Committee considered amendments to the proposed regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 (COM(2025)0553), addressing the EU school fruit, vegetables, and milk scheme, creation of a protein sector, market standards for cheese, protein crops, and meat, and supply rules for emergencies. Rapporteur Eric Sargiacomo (S&D) led discussions. The Committee also exchanged views with the Commission on biofuels, considered generational renewal (rapporteur Maria Walsh, PPE), agri-food promotion, and EU eradication programmes for bluetongue virus.
Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety holds public hearing on EU ETS and discusses environmental files
On 2 June 2026, the ENVI Committee hosted a public hearing on the current performance and future pathways of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), and presented reports on amendments to CO2 performance standards for new vehicles, deforestation-related regulations, and adaptation to climate change. The Committee engaged in exchanges with Commissioners on biodiversity and resilience, and reviewed ongoing negotiations on REACH and chemical files.
Committee on International Trade reviews EU-US trade agreements and tariff arrangements
On 2 June 2026, the INTA Committee reported on interinstitutional negotiations and held votes on two files: the adjustment of customs duties and opening of tariff quotas for certain US goods (rapporteur Bernd Lange, S&D) and non-application of customs duties on other imports. The session included presentations from rapporteurs and consideration of amendments relevant for agri-food trade.
Committee on Regional Development addresses budget and structural fund reforms for 2028–2034
During its meeting on 2 June 2026, the REGI Committee considered amendments to proposals establishing budget tracking frameworks and draft reports on the European Fund for Regional Development (COM(2025)0552), the Cohesion Fund, and the European Social Fund. Rapporteur Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle (Renew) presented opinions relevant to implementation of regional support and agri-food development.
What We're Reading This Week
- Commission to exempt green investments from EU spending rules: EU fiscal regulations set to ease for green investments, aiming to accelerate funding for climate and sustainability projects.
- Why are grocery prices still eye-watering, despite moderate inflation?: Persistent supply chain challenges and rising supplier costs are causing grocery prices to remain high despite easing overall inflation.
