Commission approves €85 million Irish State aid for fuel
The Commission has approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) an €85 million Irish State aid scheme which will support agricultural companies who are facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. Covering March to July 2026, companies producing agricultural products can receive up to €0.20 per litre of fuel purchased during the eligible 5-month period.
Amendments to CAP for fertiliser support
MEPs have voted to accelerate Parliament’s process for changes to CAP rules to help farmers with soaring fertilizer prices. The proposal will now go directly to a plenary vote in July. If adopted by Parliament and the Council, member countries would be allowed to use unused rural development funds for fertilizer aid, pay farmers earlier, and increase their 2027 budget for farmer payments.
CMO – meat denominations and contracts
The European Parliament approved a regulation to strengthen farmers’ position in the supply chain, defining “fair” and “equitable” terms for agricultural products, protecting 31 meat denominations like beef and bacon and making written contracts mandatory for the milk sector and ‘products of the soil or stock’, with some exemptions. The Council’s formal endorsement is expected on 29 June before publication in the Official Journal.
EU approves New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) for plants
Last week, the European Parliament adopted the agreement on NGTs that was reached with the Council last December, without any amendments. Copa-Cogeca has welcomed this positive step. The official text will be published in the Official Journal and enter into force within 20 days. The new regime will be applied in 2028. The NGT legislation applies directly in Northern Ireland and would apply in GB under an EU-UK SPS agreement.
Commission publishes annual report on food safety alerts
The European Commission published its annual report on Member States’ cooperation and information exchange on official controls in the agri-food chain. This year’s report reveals an 11% increase in the overall number of notifications (10,490) in 2025 compared to the previous year. This increase shows the vigilance of EU control authorities in detecting food and feed safety issues and the added value of coordination at the EU level.
EU agri-food trade surplus holds firm in beginning of 2026
The latest EU agri-food trade report shows that, in January-April 2026, the EU agri-food trade surplus reached €15.6 billion, €233 million higher than the same period in 2025. EU agri-food exports totalled €77.6 billion down by 3% compared with 2025. The UK remained the top export destination. Exports to Egypt surged by 49%, driven by wheat. Trade disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz led to a 25% drop in exports to the UAE.
€56 million to support for fruit and vegetable farmers
The EU has allocated over €56 million in emergency support to farmers affected by adverse climatic events. Farmers from Portugal will receive €30 million, Romania €14.8 million, Cyprus €4.6 million, Croatia €4.4 million, and Slovenia €2.8 million. The support will be directed at fruit, nut, vine, olive and arable crop farmers, including mixed livestock producers. Member states can top up the funds by up to 200%.
Foot and Mouth Disease in Cyprus and Greece
According to the president of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association, Demetris Epaminondas, the FMD situation in Cyprus has stabilised thanks to vaccination efforts and weather conditions. Vaccination is ongoing and is expected to be complete by mid-September. In Greece, 123 outbreaks have been reported This is an increase by 5 compared to the week beginning 15 June.
EU Livestock Strategy leak
The Commission is due to publish a European Livestock Strategy on 1 July 2026. A leaked version seen last week seeks to make the sector more resilient, competitive, and sustainable, by addressing challenges like low profitability, climate pressures, and animal welfare, while promoting investment, innovation, and stronger standards. It outlines that the Commission will present proposals on animal welfare and phase-out cage systems. It also outlines a new approach on the measurement of livestock emissions.
UFU joins CEJA as an observer member
UFU became the newest member of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) after their application for observer membership was approved by vote at CEJA’s General Assembly on the 30th of June 2026. This association with CEJA marks the beginning of a new important chapter for UFU, paving the way for increased collaboration across Europe and reinforcing their commitment to represent the next generation of farmers at an international level.
