This Week in Agri-Food — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission approves €170m Bulgarian state aid for farmers; Emergency animal disease measures in France, Italy, Bulgaria; New rules on poultry imports; African swine fever zones revised.
September 28, 2026 to October 04, 2026
Commission approves €170m Bulgarian state aid for farmers; Emergency animal disease measures in France, Italy, Bulgaria; New rules on poultry imports; African swine fever zones revised.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI): On October 05, the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On October 05, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3012 of the European Parliament and of the Council by establishing the certification methodologies for carbon farming activities; Commission Regulation amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards certain botanical species containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives.
European Commission
Commission approves €170 million Bulgarian State aid for farmers facing increased fuel and fertiliser prices
On 1 October 2026, the European Commission approved a €170 million Bulgarian State aid scheme for farmers impacted by increased fuel and fertiliser prices due to the Middle East crisis. The scheme, which runs until 31 December 2026, is part of the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted on 29 April 2026. Aid will be provided in the form of direct grants, up to €50,000 per company, aimed at mitigating cost increases for primary agricultural producers. The Commission found the scheme compatible with EU State aid rules, specifically Article 107(3)(c) TFEU, and determined it to be necessary, appropriate, and proportionate. The non-confidential version of the decision is available under case number SA.124701 in the State aid register.
Commission decides to refer Greece and Cyprus to the Court of Justice for failing to ensure adequate treatment of waste
On 30 September 2026, the European Commission referred Greece (INFR(2021)2166) and Cyprus (INFR(2021)2217) to the Court of Justice of the European Union for incomplete implementation of the Landfill Directive (Directive 1999/31/EC) and Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC). The Commission found that 66 out of 81 Greek landfills and 21% of Cyprus's municipal waste are non-compliant, lacking sufficient treatment capacity and integrated waste management networks. Letters of formal notice were sent in 2021, with reasoned opinions following in December 2024. Efforts by both Member States were deemed insufficient to address these shortcomings.
Commission decides to refer Finland to the Court of Justice for non-compliance with Seveso III Directive
On 30 September 2026, the Commission referred Finland (INFR(2020)2218) to the Court of Justice for failing to align national rules with the Seveso III Directive (Directive 2012/18/EU) on the prevention of major industrial accidents involving dangerous substances. The Commission identified deficiencies in national provisions on inspections, access to information, and access to justice, particularly concerning the disclosure of non-confidential data and coordination of inspections. Finland had received a letter of formal notice in July 2020 and a reasoned opinion in December 2025.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2158 authorises clove essential oil as feed additives for all animal species
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2158 of 28 September 2026 authorises clove bud essential oil, clove leaf essential oil, and beta-caryophyllene-rich fraction of clove leaf essential oil from Syzygium aromaticum as sensory feed additives for all animal species. The regulation sets maximum content levels for methyleugenol and stipulates that use in water for drinking is not permitted. Transitional measures for existing stocks are provided, with full application from 19 October 2026. (CELEX: 32026R2158)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2212 fixes prices and import duties for molasses in the sugar sector
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2212 of 25 September 2026 sets representative prices, import duties, and additional duties for molasses (CN codes 1703 10 00 and 1703 90 00) in the sugar sector effective from 1 October 2026. The regulation is based on Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 and recent import data. (CELEX: 32026R2212)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2227 amends poultry import authorisations for Canada and the United States
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2227 of 1 October 2026 updates Annexes V and XIV to Regulation (EU) 2021/404, modifying the lists of zones in Canada and the United States authorised for entry of poultry and related products following recent highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks. The changes suspend imports from affected areas and re-authorise zones where disease control has been completed. (CELEX: 32026R2227)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2188 updates animal health import lists for Egypt, the UK, and Uruguay
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2188 of 1 October 2026 amends Annexes II and IV to Regulation (EU) 2021/404, updating authorisations for imports of certain ungulates and equine animals from Egypt, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. Adjustments include new zones and specific conditions for disease surveillance. (CELEX: 32026R2188)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2220 updates African swine fever control zones in Hungary and Poland
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2220 of 1 October 2026 revises Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/594, updating restricted zones in Hungary and Poland due to new outbreaks of African swine fever. The regulation reflects recent epidemiological developments and adjusts boundaries and classifications of the affected areas. (CELEX: 32026R2220)
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2187 adapts avian influenza emergency zones in Bulgaria
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2187 of 24 September 2026 amends the Annex to Decision (EU) 2023/2447, updating protection and surveillance zones in Bulgaria following a new highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Plovdiv region. The decision validates Bulgarian control measures and sets out the duration and boundaries for the new zones. (CELEX: 32026D2187)
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2215 updates emergency lumpy skin disease measures in France
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2215 of 28 September 2026 modifies Annex II to Decision (EU) 2025/1708, reclassifying vaccination zones for lumpy skin disease in the French regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Vaccination continues under France’s official plan, with reduced restrictions in affected areas. (CELEX: 32026D2215)
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2207 adjusts emergency sheep pox and goat pox measures in Bulgaria
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2207 of 28 September 2026 updates the zones and durations of emergency disease control measures for sheep pox and goat pox in Bulgaria, in response to fifteen new outbreaks in September 2026. The decision adapts the restricted, protection, and surveillance zones accordingly. (CELEX: 32026D2207)
EU Council
Upcoming Environment Council to discuss emissions trading and COP31 positions
The Environment Council will meet on 12 October 2026 in Luxembourg. Ministers plan to discuss the proposed review of the EU’s emissions trading system and approve conclusions on the Union’s negotiating positions ahead of COP31 and COP17.
