This Week in Agri-Food — Brussels (#34, 2026)
Commission approves €30m Portuguese State aid under METSAF; African swine fever: interim emergency measures in Italy (EU Implementing Decision 2026/1973); Agri Council meeting upcoming.
August 30, 2026 to September 05, 2026
Commission approves €30m Portuguese State aid under METSAF; African swine fever: interim emergency measures in Italy (EU Implementing Decision 2026/1973); Agri Council meeting upcoming.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Informal meeting of agriculture ministers: On September 06, the EU Council's Informal meeting of agriculture ministers configuration is scheduled to hold an informal meeting ministerial meeting in Brussels.
European Commission
Commission approves €30 million State aid for Portuguese agri-food, fishery and aquaculture sectors under METSAF
The European Commission approved a €30 million State aid scheme for agricultural, fishery and aquaculture companies in Portugal, addressing increased costs stemming from fuel and fertiliser price rises due to the Middle East crisis. The scheme, notified by Portugal, will run until 31 December 2026 and consists of direct grants capped at €50,000 per company. Aid for agricultural fertilisers is based on a fixed amount according to hectares and livestock numbers, while fuel support covers €0.10 per litre of agricultural or marine diesel consumed between 1 April and 30 June 2026. The measure was assessed under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and Sections 1 and 2.1 of the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), adopted on 29 April 2026. The Commission found the aid was necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate economic activity in these sectors without distorting competition against the common interest.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1973: Interim emergency measures for African swine fever in Italy
On 1 September 2026, the Commission adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1973, establishing an infected zone following an outbreak of African swine fever in wild porcine animals in Riano, Lazio, Italy. The decision, notified under document C(2026) 6204 and effective until 30 November 2026, mandates the application of special disease control measures in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594. Movements of consignments of kept porcine animals and related products from the infected zone to other Member States or third countries are subject to prohibition, unless specified treatments have occurred. The measure will be reviewed at the next Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed.
EU Council
Upcoming Informal Meeting of Agriculture Ministers
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council will hold an informal meeting on 6 September 2026.
