This Week in Environment — Brussels (#14, 2026)
ECHA reform report adopted in ENVI; market stability reserve for ETS2 amended; new rules on biocides data protection; livestock sector strategy debated; CAP post-2027 and cohesion fund opinions tabled.
April 12, 2026 to April 18, 2026
ECHA reform report adopted in ENVI; market stability reserve for ETS2 amended; new rules on biocides data protection; livestock sector strategy debated; CAP post-2027 and cohesion fund opinions tabled.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission presents first Action Plan under the Pact for the Mediterranean
On 16 April 2026, the European Commission presented the first Action Plan under the Pact for the Mediterranean, outlining 21 initiatives for implementation in 2026. The plan covers three pillars: people and youth engagement, sustainable and integrated economies, and regional security and migration management. Key environmental initiatives include the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean-Tech Cooperation Initiative (T-MED), aiming to mobilise public and private investment in renewable energy, electricity grids, and clean-tech projects across the region. The Action Plan also features disaster preparedness measures, such as the European Firefighting Hub based in Cyprus, which will support both EU and southern Mediterranean countries in responding to natural disasters. The Pact, co-developed by the Commission and the European External Action Service, was adopted by the College in October 2025 and officially launched on 28 November 2025. The Commission indicated plans for regular updates to the Action Plan, with a second version expected in autumn 2026.
EU Council
Agriculture and Fisheries Council discusses post-2027 CAP and wildfire prevention
On 27 April 2026, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers exchanged views on post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy proposals, with a focus on income support and the role of agriculture and forest management in wildfire prevention, as well as the current market situation.
EP Committee Work
ENVI committee adopts report on revision of European Chemicals Agency Regulation
On 16 April 2026, the ENVI Committee adopted the report by rapporteur Christophe Clergeau (S&D) on the proposal for a regulation revising the founding Regulation of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and amending Regulations (EC) No 1907/2006, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) No 649/2012, and (EU) 2019/1021 (COM(2025)0386, 2025/0207(COD)). The report includes provisions to strengthen ECHA's scientific, technical, and regulatory capacity, ensure independence, and improve resource adequacy. The committee supported a permanent One Health task force and measures for increased transparency and stakeholder participation.
ENVI committee report on amending Decision (EU) 2015/1814 for ETS2 market stability reserve
On 17 April 2026, the ENVI Committee report by rapporteur Danuše Nerudová (EPP) addressed the Commission’s proposal to amend Decision (EU) 2015/1814 as regards the market stability reserve for the emissions trading system covering buildings, road transport, and additional sectors (ETS2). The report proposes faster release of allowances in response to carbon price spikes and a phased cancellation of unused allowances, as well as a review of the €45 cap indexed to 2026 prices.
ENVI committee adopts report on extension of data protection periods for biocidal products
On 16 April 2026, the ENVI Committee adopted the report by rapporteur Pierfrancesco Maran (S&D) on the proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 regarding the extension of certain data protection periods for biocidal products (COM(2025)1020, 2025/0408(COD)). The committee endorsed the Commission’s proposal, supporting the alignment of protection periods for certain data submitted for biocidal product authorisations.
AGRI committee report on securing a sustainable future for the EU livestock sector
On 13 April 2026, the Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) Committee adopted the report by rapporteur Carlo Fidanza (ECR) on the sustainable future of the EU livestock sector (2025/2053(INI)). The report examines food security, farmers’ resilience, and challenges such as animal diseases. It addresses the importance of livestock for rural economies, calls for a stable legislative framework, and discusses the role of the CAP and crisis management tools.
TRAN committee tables draft opinion on European Fund for Cohesion, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Security
On 14 April 2026, the Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee, with rapporteur Rosa Serrano Sierra (S&D), tabled its draft opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028-2034 (COM(2025)0565, 2025/0240(COD)). The draft opinion addresses the integration of transport policy elements in the Fund’s framework.
DEVE committee opinion on amendments to the Critical Raw Materials Act
On 15 April 2026, the Development (DEVE) Committee, rapporteur Marit Maij (S&D), issued its opinion on the proposal to amend Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 establishing a framework for a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (COM(2025)0946, 2025/0385(COD)). The opinion focuses on company risk preparedness, supply chain resilience, and the need for transparency and stakeholder engagement, particularly in relation to environmental and social risks.
AGRI committee draft opinion on budget expenditure tracking and performance framework
On 14 April 2026, the AGRI Committee, rapporteur Maria Noichl (S&D), tabled its draft opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing a budget expenditure tracking and performance framework for Union programmes and activities (COM(2025)0545, 2025/0545(COD)). The opinion addresses performance indicators for agricultural spending, including climate, environment, and biodiversity objectives.
What We're Reading This Week
- Brussels warns EU countries not to hoard fuel within borders: EU officials caution member states against restricting fuel exports, emphasizing collective energy security over national stockpiling.
- Greenpeace warns of potential 'catastrophic' Chernobyl collapse: Greenpeace cautions that structural instability at Chernobyl could trigger major radioactive contamination across the region.
