News

The French High Council for Public Health (HCSP) has advised the government to lower national weekly meat intake in its official dietary guidelines, citing both health and environmental concerns. France currently allows up to 650 grams of meat per week, with a 150-gram limit on processed meat and no firm restriction for poultry. The HCSP referred to international guidelines but did not specify a new national threshold. France remains one of the EU Member States with the most generous meat recommendations. The Council advocates more plant-based foods for better health, environmental sustainability, and affordability, as well as improved meat quality. Similar policy debates are occurring in Germany. The recommendations, including calls to diversify fish species consumed, will be reviewed in the 2025–2030 National Nutrition and Health Programme.
More information here..

Member States oppose the European Commission's proposal to restrict the €450 million CAP crisis reserve, demanding flexibility for aid payments to farmers. The Commission's amendment sought to limit the reserve to market crises, excluding weather-related emergencies, but this faced resistance. A compromise from the Danish Presidency proposes deleting restrictive clauses, with discussions set for after the summer. Diplomats also advocate extending higher advance payment levels (75% for direct payments and 85% for rural development) into 2026–2027 due to exceptional circumstances. The Danish Presidency aims to finalize new rules by autumn for implementation in early 2026.
More information is available here.

Recent analysis by Euractiv reveals that the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034 could result in deeper reductions to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget than the European Commission admits. While the Commission claims a 20% cut, accounting for inflation suggests a real-term drop of 34%. The Commission guarantees €302 billion for farmers, about 80% of current support, but inflation-adjusted needs would require €455 billion. Rural development financing is also eliminated, shifting responsibility to Member States. Without national government interventions, EU-wide agricultural funding could decline significantly.
More information is available here.

On 18 July 2025, the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) criticized proposals to reduce the CAP budget and abandon its two-pillar structure. Member States argue that merging the CAP into a broader fund and shifting to a performance-based model would increase administrative burdens and weaken rural development support. The Commission's proposal introduces a performance-based approach with simplified rules, focusing on young, emerging, and small farmers. Countries like Hungary, Poland, and Spain oppose the budget cuts, estimating a real-term reduction of 25-30% after inflation. The Czech Republic and others warned that ending the second pillar would significantly weaken rural support.
More information is available here.

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission proposed changes to the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034, including a reduction in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget. The CAP will be reintegrated into the broader EU funding system via the National and Regional Partnership Fund and Performance Regulation. The reforms aim to target support more effectively to active farmers, enhance competitiveness, and provide income stability. A new Corporate Annual Contribution (CORE) will require large companies to pay a yearly levy based on net turnover, with rates ranging from €100,000 to €750,000 depending on company size. This measure aims to diversify EU revenue streams and ensure long-term budget stability.
More information is available here.