This Week in Agri-Food — Brussels (#30, 2026)
African swine fever emergency zone established in Finland; sheep pox and goat pox restrictions expanded in Greece; CAP payment rules amended; new wine crisis distillation measure in Germany; fertilizer action plan advances.
August 02, 2026 to August 08, 2026
African swine fever emergency zone established in Finland; sheep pox and goat pox restrictions expanded in Greece; CAP payment rules amended; new wine crisis distillation measure in Germany; fertilizer action plan advances.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
African swine fever: interim emergency measures for Finland
On 5 August 2026, Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1937 established an infected zone for African swine fever in Finland under Regulation (EU) 2016/429, following an outbreak in Virolahti, Kymenlaakso. Finland must apply special disease control measures as set out in Article 8(2)-(4) of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 and Articles 63-66 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 until 31 October 2026. The zone is to prevent spread and maintain trade stability, pending Standing Committee review.
Sheep pox and goat pox: expanded emergency measures in Greece
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1931, published 4 August 2026, amended Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2207, extending restricted zones in Greece due to twenty-eight new outbreaks in July 2026, including Aitoloakarnania, Arkadia, Kastoria, and Thasos. Emergency measures in these zones remain in force per Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687.
Peste des petits ruminants in Romania: new restricted zones
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1910 amended Decision (EU) 2025/638 on 30 July 2026, updating restricted zones in Romania after outbreaks in Brașov and Mureș counties reported on 17 July 2026. Protection and surveillance zones are adjusted in line with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 and Regulation (EU) 2016/429.
Temporary crisis distillation measure for German wine sector
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1913 of 31 July 2026 provides a targeted, temporary crisis distillation measure for PDO red and rosé wines in Württemberg and Rheinhessen regions, triggered by declining sales and prices. The support, capped at EUR 59 per hectolitre and totalling EUR 14,160,000, is financed via the agricultural reserve. Distilled alcohol must be used for industrial purposes only, with support payments to be made by 31 May 2027.
CAP Strategic Plans: new intervention for fertilizer price crisis
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1897 of 31 July 2026 amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2289 to enable a new intervention under rural development for farmers affected by fertilizer price increases due to the Middle East crisis. Member States may request strategic amendments to CAP Plans with all relevant information for assessment.
Aid application amendment and withdrawal rules updated
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1905, published 31 July 2026, modifies Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1173. Deadlines for amending or withdrawing aid applications are decoupled from advance payments, allowing beneficiaries more time to adjust applications in light of new fertilizer price support mechanisms.
Flexible CAP payment and expenditure declaration rules
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1906, published 31 July 2026, amends Regulation (EU) 2022/128 concerning expenditure declarations for payments made in advance. Advances paid before 16 October 2026 are deemed made in November, enabling reimbursement in 2027. These provisions apply from 22 July 2026.
Advance payment rates increased for wine sector interventions
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1160, published 6 August 2026, amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/127 by raising the maximum advance payment rate for wine sector interventions under Article 58 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 from 80% to 90%. The rule is enacted to facilitate access to financing in the wine sector.
EU Council
EU position for the Joint Veterinary Committee with Switzerland
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1911 of 13 July 2026 set the Union position on amendments to Appendices 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 10 of Annex 11 of the Agreement on trade in agricultural products between the EU and Switzerland. The amendments update animal health equivalence, facilitate disease-free status recognition, and integrate Switzerland into IMSOC, including revised antimicrobials controls until 1 July 2028.
