This Week in Agri-Food — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission backs Italian farmers after disease outbreaks; new Farm Sustainability Data Network rules; poultry import bans for HPAI in North America; EU-Armenia trade relief; Morocco PRIMA agreement extended.
October 05, 2026 to October 11, 2026
Commission backs Italian farmers after disease outbreaks; new Farm Sustainability Data Network rules; poultry import bans for HPAI in North America; EU-Armenia trade relief; Morocco PRIMA agreement extended.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On October 12, 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; Joint ENVI - ENVE meeting on "Building a sustainable future: funding environmental and climate policies in the Next Multiannual Financial Framework".
- Committee on Fisheries (PECH): On October 12, the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries (PECH) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting.
European Commission
Von der Leyen marks IFOAM Organics Europe 25th anniversary
On 5 October 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a video message celebrating the 25th anniversary of IFOAM Organics Europe. Von der Leyen noted the growth of organic farming across the EU, with nearly 400,000 organic farmers, and referenced the sector's role in the Common Agricultural Policy. She mentioned the ongoing review of the Organic Action Plan, which aims to further develop organic markets and enhance resilience in EU agriculture. The President highlighted the contributions of organic practices to soil protection, animal welfare, and rural vitality, and noted the observed resilience of organic farms during recent heatwaves. She described organic farming as integral to the future of European agriculture.
Commission clarifies new Standardisation Regulation
On 5 October 2026, the European Commission published a Q&A explaining the forthcoming Standardisation Regulation. The document clarifies that harmonised standards, once referenced in EU legislation and cited in the Official Journal, will be freely available and provide a presumption of conformity for products and services. The new rules are expected to reduce standard development times by one third, boost SME participation, and introduce binding deadlines and digital tools for monitoring. The reform will also enhance EU coordination in international standardisation bodies, particularly in strategic sectors such as AI and cybersecurity.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Compensation for Italian eggs and poultrymeat sectors after HPAI
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2205 of 5 October 2026 provides exceptional market support for Italian producers in the eggs and poultrymeat sectors affected by 103 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5). The regulation, adopted under Article 220(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, allows for 50% Union co-financing of €60.7 million in eligible losses. The measure applies to affected operators in regulated zones and covers losses from September 2022 to March 2025, provided payments are made by 31 May 2027.
Relief for Italian pigmeat sector after ASF outbreaks
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2208 of 5 October 2026 grants exceptional market support to the Italian pigmeat sector in response to 420 outbreaks of African swine fever confirmed between November 2024 and April 2025. The regulation sets a €12.6 million Union financing ceiling, covering losses from movement restrictions, reduced production, and delayed slaughter. Payments must be made before 31 May 2027 and are limited to holdings in regulated zones.
Farm Sustainability Data Network reporting amended
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2241 of 8 October 2026 updates Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2746 on the Farm Sustainability Data Network. The amendments revise Annexes VIII, IX, and X to account for new justified data exemptions requested by several Member States for reporting year 2027. Adjustments are also made to the amounts payable to Member States based on the updated exemptions.
Temporary trade-liberalisation for Armenian agricultural products
Regulation (EU) 2026/2269 of 7 October 2026 introduces temporary trade-liberalisation measures for certain products originating in the Republic of Armenia, in response to Russian trade restrictions. The measures, effective for two years from entry into force, suspend ad valorem duties on selected goods, including certain agricultural products, subject to tariff quotas and compliance with rules of origin and administrative cooperation.
EU bans select poultry imports from Canada, UK, and US after HPAI outbreaks
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2268 of 7 October 2026 amends Annexes V and XIV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, suspending entry of consignments of poultry, germinal products, and fresh meat of poultry and game birds from outbreak-affected areas of Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, following recent notifications of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The regulation takes immediate effect to protect the Union's animal health status.
Import restrictions for Namibian meat due to FMD outbreak
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2238 of 2 October 2026 amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, suspending the entry of fresh meat and processed meat products of certain ungulates from the 'NA-1' zone in Namibia, following confirmation of a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. The measure updates Annexes XIII and XV and takes effect immediately.
Amendments to French wine PGI specifications
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2224 of 29 September 2026 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2226 of 29 September 2026 approve Union amendments to the product specifications for the protected geographical indications 'Coteaux de l’Auxois' and 'Collines Rhodaniennes', respectively, under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143. No oppositions were received.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
EU Council
Upcoming Environment Council to address emissions trading review
The Environment Council will meet on 12 October 2026 in Luxembourg to discuss the proposed review of the EU’s emissions trading system and to finalise positions for COP31 and COP17 summits.
What We're Reading This Week
- Agrochemical lobbyists are defending a toxic model of agriculture that is heading for collapse: Agrochemical industry efforts to protect current farming practices risk worsening environmental damage and undermining long-term food security.
- EU will see food shortages without fertiliser solution, Hansen says: EU faces potential food shortages unless urgent action is taken to address fertiliser supply challenges, warns industry expert Hansen.
