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On 11 December 2025, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH), under the Danish Presidency, discussed the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2027 and the role of innovation. Ministers stressed that faster technology adoption is crucial for competitiveness and productivity, with Denmark highlighting the need for increased research funding in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework and European Competitiveness Fund. While innovation was widely supported, ministers expressed concerns about a lack of simplification in the current reform proposal, calling for reduced red tape and clearer rules. The presidency introduced the idea of replacing the two-pillar CAP structure with one set of environmental rules, lump-sum payments, and greater national flexibility. Member states emphasized the importance of a strong common policy for fair competition and flexibility in implementing green transition tools.
More information here.

On 11 December 2025, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH), under the Danish Presidency, discussed the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2027 and the role of innovation. Ministers stressed that faster technology adoption is crucial for competitiveness and productivity, with Denmark highlighting the need for increased research funding in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework and European Competitiveness Fund. While innovation was widely supported, ministers expressed concerns about a lack of simplification in the current reform proposal, calling for reduced red tape and clearer rules. The presidency introduced the idea of replacing the two-pillar CAP structure with one set of environmental rules, lump-sum payments, and greater national flexibility. Member states emphasized the importance of a strong common policy for fair competition and flexibility in implementing green transition tools.
More information here.

The European Parliament and Council of the EU have reached a preliminary political agreement on new rules for new genomic techniques (NGT). The framework, aimed at making EU agriculture more competitive and resilient, replaces the 2001 GMO regime and introduces a two-tiered system: NGT-1 varieties, with changes possible through traditional breeding, require only one national check, while progeny are exempt from further controls. These products won't need special consumer labelling, except for seeds. Stricter rules for NGT-2, covering traits like herbicide resistance, ensure GMO-like controls and allow countries to limit cultivation. The agreement includes provisions for better intellectual property transparency, with variety patent data to be registered in an EU database and a study on patent impacts due within a year. The new rules still require formal approval and would take effect two years after publication.
More information here and here.

The European Parliament plans to advocate for a 10% increase in the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034, raising it from the Commission’s proposed EUR 1.614 trillion to EUR 1.783 trillion (2025 prices), or about 1.15% of the EU's gross national income. The draft allocates €89 billion more to regional and agricultural aid, €58 billion to competitiveness, and €21 billion to external action. Priority areas include funding for the European Competitiveness Fund, research, innovation, infrastructure, education, and targeted sector initiatives. The proposal also encourages introducing new EU budget revenues—such as a digital tax—potentially reducing the reliance on direct Member State contributions. Parliament is critical of some simplifications in the Commission’s approach, warning they may mostly benefit internal processes rather than final beneficiaries. This proposal will be considered by other parliamentary committees ahead of a plenary vote in May 2026.
More information here.

The European Ombudsman has formally concluded that the European Commission violated key principles of good lawmaking during the 2024 preparation of the first CAP simplification package. The Ombudsman found the Commission acted too quickly, bypassed required impact assessments, and failed to consult relevant stakeholders—particularly environmental groups—when drafting the rules that eased some environmental requirements for farmers. While the package was rushed in response to farmer protests, the Ombudsman criticised the lack of documentation and the exclusion of environmental voices. Anaïs Berthier of ClientEarth welcomed the Ombudsman’s recommendation that CAP reforms must be evidence-based. Though not binding, these findings could shape the upcoming 2026 CAP reforms, emphasizing the ongoing need for transparency and proper procedure under political pressure.
More information here.