This Week in Agri-Food — Brussels (#29, 2026)
CAP crisis response: new fertiliser aid rules; German wine crisis distillation; ASF emergency in Finland; animal disease law updates; new GIs for EU products.
August 03, 2026 to August 09, 2026
CAP crisis response: new fertiliser aid rules; German wine crisis distillation; ASF emergency in Finland; animal disease law updates; new GIs for EU products.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
European Commission
Commission proposes European Day in Remembrance of Victims of Accidents at Work
On 6 August 2026, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu issued a statement on the Commission's proposal to establish an annual European Day in Remembrance of the Victims of Accidents at Work. The date chosen, 8 August, coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Marcinelle mining disaster in Belgium. The initiative follows calls from the European Parliament and several Member States, and aims to reaffirm the EU's commitment to prevention and elimination of work-related accidents and deaths. The strategic framework for health and safety at work, cited in the statement, includes updating EU rules on hazardous chemicals and strengthening preparedness for health threats. The Commission intends the day to serve as an annual moment to renew attention to safe and healthy working conditions across all Member States.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
CAP: New intervention and advance payment rules introduced in response to fertiliser price surge
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1897 of 31 July 2026 amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2289, introducing a new intervention in the CAP Strategic Plans for farmers affected by high fertiliser prices due to the Middle East crisis. The measure, based on Regulation (EU) 2026/1768, details the information required in Member States' plans to access this support. The regulation entered into force on 4 August 2026.
CAP: Flexible rules for payment of advances linked to fertiliser crisis
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1906 amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/128, enabling Member States to pay advances on direct payments before 16 October 2026 for claim year 2026. These advances will be declared as November expenditure to facilitate reimbursement. The updated rules address financial management in light of the fertiliser price increases.
CAP: Rules on amendment and withdrawal of aid applications updated
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1905 of 31 July 2026 amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1173, adjusting deadlines for amending and withdrawing aid applications. The changes ensure beneficiaries retain sufficient time to amend applications despite earlier advance payment dates introduced in response to the fertiliser crisis.
Crisis distillation measure adopted for German wine sector
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1913, adopted 31 July 2026, authorises a temporary crisis distillation scheme for red and rosé PDO wines in Württemberg and Rheinhessen. Germany is allocated EUR 14.16 million in Union support to remove 0.24 million hectolitres from the market, with compensation capped at EUR 59/hl. Distilled alcohol is restricted to non-food uses. Support must be paid by 31 May 2027.
CAP: Advances for wine sector interventions increased
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1160 of 28 May 2026 amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/127, raising the advance payment ceiling for certain wine sector interventions from 80% to 90% of forecasted expenditure. The change aims to facilitate implementation of sectoral measures in light of market volatility.
Animal health: Multiple regulations updated on bluetongue and related diseases
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1215 amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620 concerning bluetongue virus infection and the approval or withdrawal of disease-free status for certain Member States and zones. The regulation reflects updated categorisation of bluetongue under Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and modifies disease status listings for Spain, Ireland, and Sweden. Changes take effect from 1 November 2026.
Animal health: Disease control measures and status rules revised for bluetongue
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/795 amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 concerning movement requirements for animals susceptible to bluetongue virus and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus. New derogations are introduced for registered equine movements. The amendments align with the re-categorisation of bluetongue as a D+E disease and apply from 1 November 2026.
Animal health: Certificates for intra-EU consignments updated
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1127 amends Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403, revising model animal health certificates for movements of animals and germinal products within the EU. The updates reflect regulatory changes on bluetongue and epizootic haemorrhagic disease, including amendments from Delegated Regulations (EU) 2026/794 and 2026/795.
Animal health: Germinal product movement and testing rules amended
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/794 amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/686, updating requirements for germinal products in relation to bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease, and contagious equine metritis. The changes align with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards and new EU categorisation, effective from 1 November 2026.
Animal health: Eradication programmes and disease-free status for bluetongue updated
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/797 amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689, deleting obsolete rules on optional eradication programmes and disease-free status for bluetongue following its re-categorisation. The changes take effect from 1 November 2026.
Animal health: Disease control measures for bluetongue adjusted
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/796 removes references to bluetongue from disease control provisions in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 that are no longer relevant after the re-categorisation of bluetongue as a D+E disease. The amendments apply from 1 November 2026.
Geographical Indications: Jabłka krajeńskie (PGI) registered
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1899 of 28 July 2026 registers 'Jabłka krajeńskie' (PGI) in the Union register of geographical indications under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143. The application was submitted by Poland and no opposition was received.
Geographical Indications: Pernil Cerretà (PGI) registered
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1901 of 28 July 2026 registers 'Pernil Cerretà' (PGI) in the Union register of geographical indications under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143. The application was submitted by Spain and no opposition was received.
Geographical Indications: Kiełbasa pradziada z Dukli (PGI) registered
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1927 of 31 July 2026 registers 'Kiełbasa pradziada z Dukli' (PGI) in the Union register of geographical indications under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143. The application was submitted by Poland and no opposition was received.
Geographical Indications: Romagna (PDO) product specification amendment approved
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1920 of 31 July 2026 approves an amendment to the product specification of the protected designation of origin 'Romagna' (PDO) under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143. The application was submitted by Italy prior to the new regulation's entry into force.
EU Council
EU-Switzerland: Council sets position on veterinary amendments
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1911 of 13 July 2026 sets the EU position for the Joint Veterinary Committee with Switzerland on amendments to animal health and official controls in Annex 11 of the bilateral agricultural trade agreement. The changes reflect updated EU animal health law and antimicrobial use rules.
Sustainable Fisheries: Council approves Cook Islands protocol
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1544 of 17 November 2025 approves the Protocol implementing the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Government of the Cook Islands for 2025–2032. The protocol allows EU vessels to fish in Cook Islands waters and sets out cooperation on sustainable fisheries management.
