This Week in Agri-Food — Brussels (#27, 2026)
Commission approves Greek aid for fertiliser costs; Nitrates Directive evaluation released; Animal disease emergency decisions for Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus; Biocidal product authorisations granted; Pelargonic acid approval renewed; CAP support for disaster-affected farms; Organic ...
July 12, 2026 to July 18, 2026
Commission approves Greek aid for fertiliser costs; Nitrates Directive evaluation released; Animal disease emergency decisions for Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus; Biocidal product authorisations granted; Pelargonic acid approval renewed; CAP support for disaster-affected farms; Organic product certification under debate in Parliament committees; Irish Presidency outlines priorities.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission approves €41 million Greek State aid for agricultural companies facing increased fertiliser prices
On 15 July 2026, the European Commission approved a €41 million State aid scheme for Greek agricultural companies affected by increased fertiliser prices, linked to the Middle East crisis. The scheme was authorised under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), adopted 29 April 2026, covering fuel and fertilisers price surges. The grants support companies from 15 March through 31 August 2026, capped at €50,000 per beneficiary, covering up to 15% of fertiliser costs. The Commission assessed the scheme under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU, finding it proportionate and does not distort competition contrary to the common interest. Details will appear under case SA.123889 in the State aid register.
EU law on nitrates pollution remains effective, with scope for smarter implementation
The Commission published its first evaluation of the Nitrates Directive (1991) on 14 July 2026. Over 30 years, EU rules have remained effective in reducing agricultural nitrate pollution in water. The assessment identified simplification opportunities and administrative burden reduction for farmers in implementing the Directive. New recommendations, especially for regions with high livestock concentrations, are included in recently published country reports for 2020–2023. Efforts to streamline reporting with the Water Framework Directive by 2027 are expected. Commissioner Jessika Roswall cited the balance between environmental goals and resilience of the farming sector.
EU and India strengthen strategic partnership with third Trade and Technology Council
On 14 July 2026, the EU and India held their third Trade and Technology Council meeting in Brussels, advancing coordination on agri-food value chain resilience, pharmaceuticals, and clean energy. New initiatives include the launch of the EU-India Innovation Hub in electric vehicle charging and startup partnerships for deep tech clean technologies. Formal negotiations on India’s association to Horizon Europe, and cooperation concerning regulatory alignment in agri-food and sanitary standards, were agreed. Progress in three strands—digital, green tech, and resilient value chains—continues, reflecting objectives from the 16th EU-India Summit (January 2026).
Commission approves €2 billion Hungarian capital injection into Magyar Fejlesztési Bank
On 12 July 2026, the Commission authorised Hungary’s €2 billion capital injection into Magyar Fejlesztési Bank, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The measure, under State aid rules (Article 107(3)(c) TFEU), targets sectors with market failures—agriculture, rural development, green and digital transition, housing, and co-financing with the European Investment Bank. Hungary committed to market gap limitations, avoiding crowding out private finance, and measures ensuring competitive neutrality. Case number SA.123592.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1734: Authorisation of captive bolt and nitrogen foam stunning methods
Published 17 July 2026 (CELEX: 32026R1734), this regulation amends Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009, authorising non-penetrative captive bolt stunning and nitrogen high expansion foam stunning for specific livestock categories. The update incorporates recent EFSA opinions on welfare standards for piglets, lambs, goat kids, pigs, and poultry, specifying conditions for use and animal welfare equivalence.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1696: Renewal of pelargonic acid approval
On 15 July 2026, this regulation renewed approval of pelargonic acid as an active substance in plant protection products under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. The renewal follows updated EFSA risk assessments and sets revised conditions for groundwater, aquatic organisms, and non-target species, with application from 1 October 2026.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1698: Emergency financial support for agricultural sectors affected by natural disasters
Effective 13 July 2026, Regulation 2026/1698 allocates €56.6 million in emergency support to Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia, targeting farmers impacted by adverse climatic events in 2025–2026. Eligible sectors include fruit, olives, arable crops, livestock and apiculture. Support is to be distributed by 28 February 2027, with Member States permitted to add up to 200% in national funds.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1700: Amendments to agri-product promotion contracts
Dated 15 July 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1700 amends rules for concluding contracts, advance payments, and notifications under Regulation (EU) No 1144/2014. Contract deadlines are extended, advance payments increased to 30%, and reporting obligations reduced to lower administrative burdens and facilitate programme implementation.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1565: Information system amendments for deforestation regulation
Regulation 2026/1565, published 14 July 2026, updates Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3084. It aligns procedures for due diligence statements and simplified filings for micro and small operators under Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 for deforestation-linked products. It introduces contingency arrangements for IT system unavailability and revisions to data management and grouping of declarations.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1727: Amendments to tariff quota management in agricultural imports
On 13 July 2026, amendments to Implementing Regulations (EU) 2020/761 and (EU) 2020/1988 adjust provisions introduced by Regulation (EU) 2026/996, correcting quota details for pigmeat from Paraguay, specifying minimum proof of trade, and addressing conversion coefficients for meat products under the Interim Agreement on Trade with Mercosur.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1692: Union authorisation for biocidal product family ECA Disinfect Product family 5
Regulation (EU) 2026/1692, issued 15 July 2026, grants Union authorisation for ECA Disinfect Product family 5 containing active chlorine released from hypochlorous acid for product-types 2, 4, 5 under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. Germany requested adjustments for use in drinking water, in accordance with national law (TrinkwV).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1737: Union authorisation for biocidal product family BPF THO TM Desana
On 17 July 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1737 grants Union authorisation for the biocidal product family ‘BPF THO TM Desana’ for product-type 4 under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. Authorisation is valid until 31 July 2036. The evaluation was led by Austria as competent authority.
EU Council
Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Irish presidency priorities and livestock strategy
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council met on 13 July 2026. The Irish presidency presented its work programme and main sectoral priorities. Ministers discussed the Commission’s livestock strategy, the protein plan, trade-related agricultural issues, and women’s role in agriculture.
EP Committee Work
AGRI Committee: Follow-up on Strategy on Fertilisers and Rising Prices of Agricultural Raw Materials
On 13 July 2026, the AGRI Committee held a public hearing examining the EU fertiliser market, supply security, and rising input prices. Speakers included Antoine Hoxha (Fertilizers Europe), Marina Simonova (Argus Media), Francie Gorman (Irish Farmers' Association/COPA-COGECA), Max Schulman (MTK Finland), and Prof. Erik Meers (Ghent University). The discussions considered strategic autonomy, nutrient recycling, innovation, and resilience, including Commission remarks on policy responses.
AGRI Committee: Generational renewal in agriculture – consideration of amendments
At its ordinary meeting on 13 July, the AGRI Committee debated amendments to the draft report on generational renewal in agriculture (rapporteur: Maria Walsh, PPE; 2026/2041(INI)). The session reviewed approaches for supporting new entrants, resilience, and succession planning in the agricultural sector.
AGRI Committee: Strengthening competitiveness, resilience and fairness in EU agriculture – draft report
On 14 July 2026, the AGRI Committee considered the draft report by rapporteur Marko Vešligaj (S&D; 2026/2011(INI)) focusing on competitiveness, sectoral resilience, and fairness. The debate included input from Commission officials and set a deadline for amendments on 16 July.
REGI Committee: Opinion on CAP implementation conditions for 2028–2034
On 16 July 2026, REGI Committee (rapporteur: André Rougé, PfE) published its opinion on the regulation establishing conditions for the implementation of Union support to the Common Agricultural Policy for 2028–2034. The opinion addresses rural development and cohesion issues relevant to the CAP reform.
What We're Reading This Week
- Why Europe's food inflation could rise again: Energy costs, supply chain disruptions, and extreme weather threaten to drive European food prices higher in the coming months.
- EU prosecutor asks for police probe into subsidies for Babiš-linked Agrofert: EU prosecutor seeks criminal investigation into possible misuse of subsidies by Czech ex-PM Babiš’s Agrofert conglomerate.
