News

On 9 June 2026, the European Commission unveiled a set of both short- and long-term measures to help farmers across the EU cope with rising occurrences of heatwaves and droughts, which have caused climate-related crop losses to triple in the last 50 years. Key recommendations for crop production include more efficient irrigation, enhanced water storage, reuse of treated wastewater, and improved soil water retention, as well as shifting to more resilient crops and varieties. For livestock, suggested actions involve ensuring access to water and shade, adjusting feeding practices, reducing animal densities, and monitoring heat stress. Long-term recommendations stress investments in climate-resilient buildings, advanced cooling, precision systems, and agroforestry. Many adaptation measures can be funded via CAP strategic plans.
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The European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee (COMAGRI) debated the future of coupled support in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Rapporteur Norbert Lins (EPP, DE) suggested limiting coupled aid to 12% of each Member State’s CAP envelope, plus an extra 3% for protein crops, mixed farming, and sensitive regions—significantly below the Commission’s proposal of up to 20% and an extra 5%. Lins argues that high levels of coupled payments could distort single market competition. Several MEPs, including Carmen Crespo (EPP, ES) and Éric Sargiacomo (S&D, FR), advocated for more extensive coupled support and stronger market interventions. Disputes remain over mandatory capping and degressivity of direct payments. Shadow rapporteurs will continue negotiations on 15 September 2026.
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On 30 August 2026, experts warned of major threats to global food security stemming from disrupted Black Sea grain exports, weaker harvests, and rising energy and fertilizer prices linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis. While Russia and Ukraine report solid wheat harvests, attacks on Black Sea infrastructure have drastically limited exports—Ukraine expects to export only 1.5 million metric tons in August, down from 5 million. Additional challenges include reduced US and Canadian wheat output, El Niño threats in Australia, European drought, and low Danube water levels. EU and Ukraine are enhancing land-based routes. High energy costs are elevating expenses for food production and incentivising biofuel crops. Experts urge EU states to avoid trade barriers.
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On 30 August 2026, EU member states continued talks on the European Commission’s July 2025 proposal to revise common market organisation (CMO) regulations for the post-2027 period. The Irish Presidency’s compromise maintains support for specific sectors such as fruit and vegetables, wine, protein crops, beekeeping, olives, and hops, while leaving most sectoral interventions to national discretion. The proposal omits the full renewal of current limits on public support and special rates. Issues like national co-financing and the school programme budget were left for wider budget discussions. Sectoral measures and school programmes will be managed through Partnership Plans from 2028. There remains division on market disruption responses. A partial general approach is sought by October 2026.
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The European Commission has proposed allocating €540 million in emergency aid to EU farmers hit by soaring fertilizer and energy prices caused by the Middle East crisis and closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The Czech Republic would receive €10.87 million, Slovakia €6.58 million, and the largest shares would go to France, Poland, Germany, and Spain. Allocations are based on each country’s share of CAP direct payments and the actual expenditures of farmers. Member States may augment this support with national co-financing of up to 200%, which could collectively raise total aid to €1.5 billion. The proposal responds to steep input cost increases, with nitrogen fertilizer prices in May 2026 up 30% from February and 70% above the 2024 average. National governments will review and vote on the draft regulation on 17 July 2026, with financial support to be paid by 28 February 2027 and any supplementary funds by 31 May 2027.