How to watch the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI)

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Catch‑the‑eye interventions: sector‑specific regulatory and trade concerns

Veronika Vrecionová and 14 others

In short interventions, MEPs highlight oversubscription of simple promotion calls, impacts of the deforestation regulation on soy feed, combined regulatory and cost pressures from Green Deal and national rules, and numerous sectoral issues including sugar refining, AI and data in risk management, animal disease control and export limits, IED and DNSH requirements, honey fraud, sensitive meat imports in trade deals, treatment of meat in promotion, and instability from constant CAP rule changes.

In this chapter

1. Catch‑the‑eye I: promotion oversubscription, deforestation, regulatory burdenVeronika Vrecionová
2. Catch‑the‑eye II: emissions rules, AI, disease control and sectoral supportCéline Imart

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Commission replies: CAP simplification, gold‑plating, promotion figures and CAP architecture

Christophe Hansen and 1 other

Commissioner Hansen responds by stressing shared responsibility with Parliament for complex legislation, detailing current and planned simplification tools (Food & Feed Omnibus, guidance and anti‑gold‑plating instruments), clarifying promotion budget arithmetic and under‑used lines, and outlining the approach to Birds, Habitats and Nitrates, eligibility of plant proteins, risks of making core CAP mechanisms voluntary, and the need for predictable CAP and MFF decisions for farmers’ investments.

In this chapter

1. Commission replies I: scope of debate, CAP simplification and Birds/HabitatsChristophe Hansen
2. Commission replies II: gold‑plating tools and promotion figures clarifiedChristophe Hansen
3. Commission replies III: nitrates, plant proteins, mandatory CAP tools and budget predictabilityChristophe Hansen

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Political groups II: Greens/Left, rapporteur and shadows on CAP model and funding gap

Thomas Waitz and 10 others

Greens and Left MEPs warn against ‘voluntarisation’ of key CAP tools, export‑oriented promotion and deregulation risks for climate, plant‑protein strategies and animal welfare, while Rapporteur De Meo and shadows across groups insist on genuine simplification, easier access for small farms, maintaining or restoring the €205 million promotion level, and clarifying the balance between trade policy, origin labelling and support for vulnerable sectors.

In this chapter

1. Greens & Left: CAP voluntarisation, product mix and MercosurThomas Waitz
2. Rapporteur De Meo: evaluation of promotion policy and budget gapSalvatore De Meo
3. Shadows (S&D, Patriots, ECR/Renew): access to funds and social prioritiesCamilla Laureti
4. Greens/Left: criticism of export focus, deregulation risks and animal welfareMartin Häusling

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Political groups I: coordinators on simplification, gold‑plating and promotion budget

Veronika Vrecionová and 4 others

Group coordinators from EPP, S&D, Patriots, ECR and Renew question the pace and depth of CAP simplification, urge stronger EU action against national gold‑plating, criticise perceived cuts and reallocations in promotion funding (simple vs multi programmes, quality schemes), and debate how Birds, Habitats and Nitrates rules should be revised without undermining farmers or environmental ambition.

In this chapter

1. Coordinators (EPP, S&D, Patriots): simplification pace and promotion fundingVeronika Vrecionová
2. Coordinators (ECR, Renew): gold‑plating pact and Birds/Habitats reviewElsi Katainen

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Opening and Commission presentation on CAP simplification and promotion

Veronika Vrecionová and 1 other

The Chair opens the AGRI meeting, sets the agenda on CAP simplification and agri‑food promotion, and Commissioner Hansen presents the Commission’s approach to simplifying CAP implementation and related acquis, warning against national gold‑plating and detailing the proposed 2027 promotion budget and work‑programme priorities, including support for SMEs and trade diplomacy campaigns.

In this chapter

1. Opening of AGRI meeting: agenda setVeronika Vrecionová
2. Commission: CAP simplification and legislative follow‑upChristophe Hansen
3. Commission: gold‑plating, enforcement and 2027 promotion budgetChristophe Hansen
4. Commission: promotion priorities, SMEs, and trade diplomacyChristophe Hansen

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Q&A rounds and Commission input on climate resilience

Gilles Pennelle and 14 others

MEPs conduct three Q&A rounds with farmers, experts and the Commission on forest and land management, irrigation and water storage, soil and humus-building practices, drought insurance and grazing, pest pressures, aerial fire-fighting capacity and voluntary firefighters, after which DG AGRI, DG ECHO and DG ENV outline existing CAP instruments, civil protection and rescEU assets, wildfire and water resilience strategies, and upcoming EU initiatives on drought, water-use efficiency and heatwaves while warning about budget cuts.

In this chapter

1. Wildfire & water management: first MEP questions and repliesGilles Pennelle
2. Adaptation tools, insurance and pests: second Q&A roundClaire Fita
3. Third Q&A and Commission responses on climate resilienceVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Launch of debate on wildfires, drought and heat

Veronika Vrecionová ECR

The Chair opens an interactive exchange on wildfires, drought and extreme heat with farmers and fire‑management experts from several Member States, who deliver field testimonies on crop losses, grazing systems, drought insurance, digital tools for wildfire response and integrated rural fire management models focused on prevention and rural economic activity.

In this chapter

1. Launch of debate on wildfires, drought and extreme heatVeronika Vrecionová
2. Field testimonies: crop losses, grazing systems and fire toolsVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Political reactions and Commission position on future CAP

Herbert Dorfmann and 22 others

Political group coordinators and other MEPs assess the MFF–CAP proposals, raising concerns on farm non‑viability, degressivity and capping, renationalisation risks, environmental ring‑fencing, risk management and enlargement impacts, while Professor Hennessy replies to their questions and the Commission (DG AGRI) defends its CAP proposal, emphasising ring‑fenced funding, common rules with flexibility, mandatory degressivity/capping and environmental spending targets.

In this chapter

1. Coordinators’ first round: reactions to MFF–CAP proposalsHerbert Dorfmann
2. Catch‑the‑eye interventions: sectoral and national concernsCsaba Dömötör
3. Professor Hennessy: consolidated reply to MEPsThia Hennessy
4. Commission (DG AGRI): defence of CAP proposalVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Presentation of post‑2027 MFF–CAP study

Veronika Vrecionová and 1 other

The Chair introduces the AGRI-commissioned study on the post‑2027 MFF and CAP architecture, after which Professor Hennessy presents key findings on farm viability, dependence on direct payments, proposed CAP budget changes, income support design, environmental measures, coupled support and crisis reserve options.

In this chapter

1. Introduction to MFF–CAP study and mandateVeronika Vrecionová
2. Professor Hennessy: key findings on CAP budget and viabilityThia Hennessy

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Opening of session and agricultural trade votes

Veronika Vrecionová ECR

The Chair verifies quorum and organises test voting before proceeding to roll-call and show-of-hands votes on the technical CAP regulation (labelling and trade with third countries), the report on generational renewal in agriculture, and opinions on the EU–Indonesia CEPA and EU–Canada agreements, all of which are adopted to close the voting block.

In this chapter

1. Quorum check and opening of voting sessionVeronika Vrecionová
2. Vote: technical CAP regulation (labelling, trade with third countries)Veronika Vrecionová
3. Votes: Generational renewal in agriculture reportVeronika Vrecionová
4. Votes: EU–Indonesia CEPA and EU–Canada agreementVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Women in farming – rapporteurs, MEP debate and Commission commitments

Christine Singer and 14 others

Standing rapporteurs and coordinators link gender equality to CAP, generational renewal and rural services, MEPs hold a structured Q&A with the panel on land ownership, unpaid labour, social protection, trade and targeted support schemes, and DG AGRI concludes with planned actions on gender‑sensitive CAP implementation, indicators and the Women in Farming platform before closing remarks.

In this chapter

1. Standing rapporteurs and coordinators: women in farming, CAP and generational renewalChristine Singer
2. MEP debate with panel: ownership, care, trade and key obstaclesLuke Ming Flanagan
3. Commission (DG AGRI) response and closing remarks on women in agricultureVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Gender Equality Week – launch and expert testimonies on women in agriculture

Veronika Vrecionová and 1 other

The Chair opens the Gender Equality Week segment on women’s leadership in agriculture and rural areas, with a message from the EP President and in‑depth testimonies from an Irish agri‑entrepreneur, a German farmer and FAO on barriers, successful interventions and policy needs for women in agrifood systems, including CAP ring‑fencing, childcare, social security and gender‑transformative approaches.

In this chapter

1. Transition to Gender Equality Week item and introduction of women leadersVeronika Vrecionová
2. Testimony – Ursula Kelly: female-led agri-business and CAP ring-fencingVeronika Vrecionová
3. Testimony – Maria Vogelrieder: diversification, childcare and social security gapsVeronika Vrecionová
4. Testimony – FAO’s Lauren Phillips: global evidence on women in agrifood systemsVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

MEP reactions and Commission follow‑up on agri‑food R&I strategy

Herbert Dorfmann and 14 others

Political groups and additional MEPs set out priorities and concerns on the new R&I strategy, budgets, competitiveness, farmer uptake, SMEs, experimentation and internal market barriers, followed by a Commission reply on defending Horizon and Competitiveness Fund resources, centring farmers in projects and widening participation across Member States.

In this chapter

1. Political groups: first reactions to R&I strategyHerbert Dorfmann
2. Catch-the-eye on R&I: funding, SMEs, market access and experimentationJessika van Leeuwen
3. Commission reply on R&I funding, farmers’ role and widening participation

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Opening of AGRI meeting and launch of R&I item

Veronika Vrecionová ECR

The Chair opens the AGRI Committee, adopts the agenda and minutes, introduces the strategic exchange of views on agri‑food research and innovation, and gives the floor to the Commission for the presentation of its new R&I approach linked to Agri 2040, Food 2040, Horizon Europe and the European Competitiveness Fund.

In this chapter

1. Opening of AGRI meeting and agenda adoptionVeronika Vrecionová
2. Commission: presentation of new agri-food R&I strategyVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Extraordinary meeting

Opening of extraordinary AGRI meeting and agenda

Veronika Vrecionová ECR

The Chair opens the extraordinary AGRI committee meeting in Strasbourg, adopts the agenda, announces interpretation arrangements, and informs Members of the cancellation of the planned mission to Spain due to national elections and the eight‑week restriction on missions before a vote.

In this chapter

1. Opening of extraordinary meeting and agendaVeronika Vrecionová
2. Announcement: cancellation of Spain committee missionVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Animal Health Law evaluation and livestock health strategy

Daniel Buda and 5 others

DG SANTE presents the positive but incomplete 2026 evaluation of the Animal Health Law and 11 follow‑up areas, followed by MEP rounds on uneven implementation, farm biosecurity, pet passports, import reciprocity, vaccination and emerging disease risks, with the Commission explaining systemic implementation problems, use of audits, TRACES and CAP funds, and the complex trade and surveillance implications of broader vaccination, including for PPR and bluetongue.

In this chapter

1. Introduction: evaluation of Animal Health Law and livestock strategyDaniel Buda
2. DG SANTE (Reviriego): evaluation findings and planned legal adjustments
3. First MEP round: implementation gaps, pet passports and reciprocityStefan Köhler

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Import controls and Brazil estradiol beef case

Herbert Dorfmann and 17 others

DG SANTE outlines the EU’s import listing and border‑control system and details audits in Brazil revealing estradiol‑related certification failures, prompting MEPs to question border check rates, reciprocity, links to Mercosur, pesticide residues, processed products and enforcement gaps, to which the Commission responds with concrete Brazilian check statistics, assurance of SPS autonomy from FTAs, intensified audits, risk‑based control escalation, ‘technical zero’ policies and harmonisation among Member State border posts.

In this chapter

1. DG SANTE (Thévenard): EU import control system and Brazil estradiol case
2. First reactions on Brazil audit: controls, Mercosur and suspension toolsHerbert Dorfmann
3. Broader debate: reciprocity, FTAs and audit sufficiencyBert-Jan Ruissen

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Strategic food stocks: MEP positions and Commission reply

Daniel Buda and 12 others

Rapporteur and political group speakers set out divergent views on the scope, funding and market role of national food reserves, including links to inputs, sovereignty, speculation and CAP resources, after which DG AGRI clarifies that reserves are optional, non‑intervention stocks coordinated via EFSCM and separate from instruments on fertilisers and other inputs; the Chair concludes by stressing crisis‑only use, uneven national preparedness and the need for EU‑level coordination before closing the item.

In this chapter

1. Rapporteur Sargiacomo and EPP: scope, funding and subsidiarityDaniel Buda
2. Political group reactions: sovereignty, market impacts and inputsGilles Pennelle
3. Greens and others: speculation, data and stock design questionsThomas Waitz

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Opening of AGRI meeting and food reserves mandate

The Chair opens the AGRI Committee meeting, adopts the agenda and minutes, explains the new post‑2027 CMO emergency supply chapter, and gives the floor to DG AGRI to present the Commission’s proposal on national strategic food reserves within the EU preparedness and stockpiling framework.

In this chapter

1. Opening of AGRI meeting and agenda adoption
2. Introduction: strategic food stocks and CMO reform
3. Commission (DG AGRI): proposal on national food reserves

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

EU wildfire policy: prevention focus, funding debate and Commission stance

Veronika Vrecionová and 1 other

The Chair and EESC rapporteur present the integrated wildfire risk management approach prioritising structural prevention and a possible dedicated fund, while MEPs and DG AGRI debate forestry models, grazing, prescribed burning, use of CAP and rescEU, and whether to create a separate EU wildfire fund or rely on existing instruments and partnership plans.

In this chapter

1. Integrated wildfire risk management: Chair’s introduction and EESC opinion
2. Wildfire policy: political reactions, forestry model debate and Commission replyVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

CAP Strategic Plans 2023–27: implementation stocktake and scrutiny

Veronika Vrecionová and 8 others

DG AGRI presents mid‑term CAP performance on income support, risk‑management tools, eco‑schemes, rural development and new indicators, followed by MEPs questioning redistribution, low insurance uptake, administrative burden, social conditionality and gender aspects, with the Commission explaining data lags, plan changes and available flexibility for current crises.

In this chapter

1. CAP Strategic Plans 2023–27: Commission stocktake of implementationVeronika Vrecionová
2. CAP performance: MEP scrutiny on indicators, risk tools, flexibility and gender; Commission responseVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Livestock strategy: political positions, welfare and trade reciprocity

Veronika Vrecionová and 19 others

Coordinators and MEPs highlight strategic, social and territorial roles of livestock, raise concerns on animal health, imports and Brazilian meat bans, welfare legislation, climate and biogas, and crisis support, while the Commission stresses maintaining a viable, regionally balanced sector using CAP, financial instruments and private‑chain initiatives.

In this chapter

1. Livestock strategy: coordinators’ responses and key sectoral issuesVeronika Vrecionová
2. Livestock strategy: extended debate on welfare, imports and drought aid with Commission replyThomas Waitz

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

EU livestock strategy: introduction and Commission priorities

Veronika Vrecionová and 1 other

The Chair transitions to the livestock strategy and DG AGRI outlines its five priority axes, covering risk management, competitiveness and value chain, targeted sustainability and welfare reforms, territorial balance and recognition of EU quality schemes.

In this chapter

1. Transition to livestock strategy: context and challengesVeronika Vrecionová
2. Commission (DG AGRI): presentation of EU livestock strategyPierre Bascou

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Protein action plan: political reactions and detailed Q&A

Herbert Dorfmann and 15 others

Group coordinators and other MEPs assess the ambition, financing and trade aspects of the protein plan, debate GMOs, Ukraine’s role and dietary shifts, and question past failures, with the Commission defending the 35% benchmark, funding sources and the combined supply–demand–innovation approach.

In this chapter

1. Protein plan: coordinators’ first reactions and financing concernsHerbert Dorfmann
2. Protein plan: catch‑the‑eye debate and Commission replyMartin Häusling

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

EU protein action plan: introduction and Commission mandate

Veronika Vrecionová and 1 other

The Chair opens the AGRI meeting and DG AGRI presents the new EU protein action plan, detailing its pillars, the 2035 EU-sourced feed benchmark, and links to CAP post‑2027 and wider strategic autonomy goals.

In this chapter

1. Opening of meeting: agenda and protein plan contextVeronika Vrecionová
2. Commission (DG AGRI): presentation of EU protein action planPierre Bascou

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