This Week in Agri-Food — Brussels (#26, 2026)
Commission unveils Livestock Strategy, Protein Action Plan; new CAP support for fertiliser costs cleared; stricter pesticide residue rules; plant pest measures adopted; EU-Mexico deal advanced.
July 05, 2026 to July 11, 2026
Commission unveils Livestock Strategy, Protein Action Plan; new CAP support for fertiliser costs cleared; stricter pesticide residue rules; plant pest measures adopted; EU-Mexico deal advanced.
📋 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 July 13, the EU Council's Agriculture and Fisheries Council configuration is scheduled to hold an ministerial meeting in Brussels.
- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI): On July 13, 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 July 13, the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034.
- Committee on International Trade (INTA): On July 13, the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Annual report on export controls of dual-use items- Presentation by Denis Redonnet, Chief Trade Enforcement Officer; Chair’s announcements; Chair’s announcements concerning coordinators’ decisions.
- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI): On July 14, 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 July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Regulations (EC) No 1272/2008, (EC) No 1223/2009 and (EU) 2019/1009 as regards simplification of certain requirements and procedures for chemical products; Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On July 14, 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.
- Committee on International Trade (INTA): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Annual report on export controls of dual-use items- Presentation by Denis Redonnet, Chief Trade Enforcement Officer; Chair’s announcements; Chair’s announcements concerning coordinators’ decisions.
- Committee on Fisheries (PECH): On July 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries (PECH) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting.
European Commission
Commission adopts Livestock Strategy and Protein Action Plan
On 6 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, Commissioner Christophe Hansen, and Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi presented the EU's first Livestock Strategy alongside the Protein Action Plan. The College of Commissioners approved the strategy, which outlines policy for competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability of the livestock sector. Hansen noted the integration with the Vision for Agriculture and Food and the focus on risk management, farmer profitability, and decreasing import dependency. Várhelyi described ongoing evaluation of the Animal Health Law and foreseen legislative proposals on animal welfare, including rules for laying hens and pigs, to be delivered at the end of 2026 and in 2027. The Protein Action Plan aims to raise EU-grown feed protein from 25% in 2025 to 35% by 2035 and encourage investment, diversified diets, and monitoring.
Commission refers Hungary to CJEU over food and drugstore price margin restrictions
The European Commission decided on 7 July 2026 to refer Hungary to the Court of Justice of the EU for maintaining price margin restrictions on food products and drugstore articles under Act CLXIV of 2005, alleging violations of the Services Directive (Directive 2006/123/EC) and Article 49 TFEU. National margin limits, adopted in Government Decrees 42/2025 and 93/2025, target mainly non-Hungarian retailers and were extended before their transfer to permanent legislation. The Commission’s infringement cases INFR(2025)2052 and INFR(2025)2102 concern disproportionate and discriminatory barriers to establishment and operation for EU undertakings. The case follows letters of formal notice in June 2025 and reasoned opinions sent in December 2025.
Commission Q&A clarifies Livestock Strategy implementation
On 6 July 2026, the Commission published detailed questions and answers on the Livestock Strategy and the Protein Action Plan. The document describes challenges—low profitability, high input costs, and labour shortages—as well as support measures being set up under the CAP for 2023–2027 (€4bn allocated to livestock interventions in the first year). CAP risk management, updated animal disease prevention guidance, and harmonised farm-level GHG measurement are addressed. The Commission notes regulatory changes underway, including animal welfare proposals, Nitrates Directive revisions, and the broadening of innovation support through an EU Livestock Platform.
Commission adopts measures on US trade dispute resolution
On 6 July 2026, the Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1549, extending the suspension of commercial policy measures on certain US products originally imposed by Regulation (EU) 2020/1646. The suspension follows the lack of re-imposed US retaliatory measures in the WTO dispute on large civil aircraft. The suspension enters into force on 11 July 2026, maintaining a status quo pending further developments in EU-US trade relations.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Stricter MRLs set for benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1546 of 8 July 2026 amends Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 to lower maximum residue levels for benzimidazole fungicides in certain foods. Due to revoked Codex MRLs, expired approvals, and EFSA risk opinions, permitted levels are set to limits of determination, notably for grapefruits, oranges, mangoes, papayas, and okra/lady’s fingers. The Regulation applies from 29 January 2027.
Provisional pest ban on Copitarsia decolora and Lagria villosa
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1553 of 9 July 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2022/1941, adding Copitarsia decolora and Lagria villosa to pests temporarily prohibited from movement or introduction in the EU until 30 June 2031, based on risk assessments by Spain (2023) and the Netherlands (2025). The listing of three other pests is extended to 31 May 2030.
Meloidogyne graminicola: updated containment and movement rules
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1432, adopted 3 July 2026, details measures for the eradication, containment, and monitoring of Meloidogyne graminicola (rice root-knot nematode). Annual surveys, demarcated areas, and public information duties are established. The Regulation repeals earlier temporary controls (EU 2022/1372) and updates the host plant list.
Notification update for garlic prices in EU fruit and vegetable sector
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/912, published 6 July 2026, amends Regulation (EU) 2017/891 to require Member States to notify producer prices for garlic, supplementing monitoring requirements in relation to the entry into force of the EU-Mercosur agreements.
Approval of novel food: Rhizomucor pusillus mycelium
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1507 authorises Rhizomucor pusillus mycelium as a novel food ingredient under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, following EFSA opinion EFSA Journal 2025;23:e9707. Exclusive rights for The Protein Brewery B.V. apply for five years from 26 July 2026.
Protected designation amendments for Tokaj/Tokaji and Drăgăşani
Commission Implementing Regulations (EU) 2026/1556 and 2026/1702, adopted 2 and 7 July 2026, respectively, approve Union amendments to the product specifications of the protected designations of origin 'Tokaj / Tokaji' (Hungary) and 'Drăgăşani' (Romania) under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
Correction to feed additive authorisation transitional measures
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1471, of 3 July 2026, amends Regulation (EU) 2026/103 to include transitional measures for the feed additive Enterococcus lactis DSM 7134, formerly known as Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134, for sows. The correction ensures continued marketability of existing stocks.
EU Council
Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Irish presidency to present priorities and debate livestock and protein strategies
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council, meeting on 13 July 2026, will hear the Irish presidency's programme and discuss the Commission's Livestock Strategy and Protein Action Plan, trade topics, and the role of women in agriculture.
EP Committee Work
AGRI hearing on fertilisers: price and supply security
On 13 July 2026, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) will hold a public hearing entitled 'Strategy on fertilisers and rising prices of agricultural raw materials.' Two panels are foreseen: the first with Fertilizers Europe and Argus Media addressing fertiliser supply security and strategic autonomy; the second with farming associations and academic representatives discussing innovation, circularity, and reduced reliance on imported inputs. The hearing will include contributions from DG AGRI.
ENVI opinion on implementation rules for future CAP (2028-2034)
The ENVI Committee published on 6 July 2026 its opinion on the Commission proposal for a Regulation establishing implementation conditions for the Common Agricultural Policy for 2028–2034. Rapporteur: Seán Kelly. The opinion addresses the integration of climate and environment targets into CAP support.
ITRE opinion: new cohesion and rural development fund for 2028–2034
On 10 July 2026, ITRE Committee adopted its opinion on the draft regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028–2034. Rapporteur: Jana Nagyová. The Committee supports the alignment of new fund mechanisms with agricultural and rural objectives.
ENVI extraordinary meeting addresses climate, environment, and food safety challenges
The ENVI Committee (Environment, Climate and Food Safety) held an extraordinary meeting on 6 July 2026 in Strasbourg (agenda available), focusing on ongoing legislative files in the environmental and food safety areas.
What We're Reading This Week
- The EU’s paradigm shift on cows: EU introduces ambitious reforms targeting livestock emissions, signaling a major change in agricultural and climate policy.
