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

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Middle East crisis – impact on energy, fertilizers and first political reactions

Brigitte Misonne and 3 others

The Commission presents its initial assessment of the Middle East crisis on oil, gas and fertilizer prices and supply, warning of volatility and risks for food prices despite short‑term coverage of spring needs. The chair and first MEPs call for rapid EU financial support to farmers, denounce speculation and weaknesses in the reformed CAP, and criticise EU energy, gas and CBAM policies and the lack of autonomous fertilizer production strategy as key sources of vulnerability.

In this chapter

1. Middle East crisis – Commission initial assessment on energy and fertilizersBrigitte Misonne
2. Chair (EPP) – call for immediate EU support to farmersDaniel Buda
3. First political reactions – speculation, CAP reform and EU dependencyCristina Maestre

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting Workshop on the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2028-2034

Commission: Middle East crisis impact on EU agriculture

Brigitte Misonne

The Commission details how the Middle East conflict affects trade routes, energy and fertiliser prices, and the resulting cost and inflation pressures on EU farmers.

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Commission – clarification on soil indicators, living labs and funding

Daniel Buda PPE

The Commission details the origin and scope of the ‘60% degraded soils’ indicator, explains the focus on farmer‑centred living labs and coordination with climate and water missions, and stresses available funding including for agroforestry while reiterating that the soil directive creates no new obligations for farmers. The chair then wraps up by underlining soil’s importance for food security, promising political support for disseminating the mission, and formally closes the item before opening the Middle East crisis point on the agenda.

In this chapter

1. Commission response – soil indicators, living labs and fundingDaniel Buda
2. Chair’s wrap-up on Soil Mission and transition to Middle East itemDaniel Buda

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Soil Mission – MEP questions on scope, funding and farming impact

Daniel Buda and 8 others

After the Commission’s closing remarks on the Soil Mission, coordinators and MEPs question the scientific basis of the ‘60% unhealthy soils’ figure, the definition and land‑use coverage of soil health, the loss of dedicated CAP funding, and the links with One Health. Members also debate farmers’ role as soil stewards, irrigation, limits on land take and sealing, the risk of new burdens from the Soil Framework Directive, and the need for research partnerships and financial support to transfer best practices to farmers.

In this chapter

1. Soil Mission – closing remarks and call for disseminationDaniel Buda
2. EPP coordinator – definition of ‘unhealthy soil’ and urbanisationHerbert Dorfmann
3. S&D – CAP funding, soil monitoring and One Health linksMaria Noichl

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting Workshop on the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2028-2034

EU Soil Mission: presentation, debate and follow‑up

Daniel Buda and 9 others

The Chair and Commission present the EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’, followed by political groups’ questions on CAP links, data, obligations and farmer involvement, and the Commission’s responses on implementation, funding tools, living labs and next steps before closing the agenda item.

In this chapter

1. Chair and Commission: EU Soil Mission presentationDaniel Buda
2. MEPs’ positions on Soil Mission, CAP and farming practicesDaniel Buda
3. Commission: Soil Mission implementation, funding and next stepsDiego Canga Fano

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting Workshop on the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2028-2034

CAP budget and future financing framework

Daniel Buda and 1 other

Debate on CAP’s role in the next MFF and NRP fund, risks of renationalisation via coupled support, targeting of rural funding, EP scrutiny, and safeguarding common CAP tools, controls and farmer income.

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting Workshop on the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2028-2034

MEPs and experts: risks of CAP renationalisation

Maria Grapini and 3 others

MEPs and expert Régnier assess the shift to a blended CAP/NRPP model, warning about loss of a genuinely common policy, complex NRPP design, weaker safeguards and ring‑fencing, and the need for stronger EU‑level guarantees on co‑financing, governance and shared objectives.

In this chapter

1. MEPs’ concerns on blended CAP model and NRPP designMaria Grapini
2. Expert Régnier – common CAP, safeguards and NRPP complexityDaniel Buda

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting Workshop on the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2028-2034

MEPs’ first Q&A: simplification, renationalisation and green priorities

Daniel Buda and 14 others

MEPs from several groups question whether NRPPs truly simplify CAP, warn against de facto renationalisation and loss of the two‑pillar structure and level playing field, and probe how Ukraine’s accession, budget limits and Green Deal conditionality should be reflected in allocation keys and governance.

In this chapter

1. MEPs’ questions: simplification, two pillars and renationalisationDaniel Buda
2. MEPs’ questions: renationalisation, Ukraine and green conditionalityCharles Goerens
3. MEPs’ questions: CAP budget, governance and allocation keysCiaran Mullooly

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting Workshop on the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2028-2034

Workshop opening and CAP single-fund design

Daniel Buda PPE

The Chair sets the workshop’s objectives in the context of the next MFF and post‑2027 CAP, then expert Régnier and Mathews outline the proposed single co‑managed fund, its governance via NRPPs, national envelopes, flexibility margins and implications for preserving a genuinely common CAP.

In this chapter

1. Chair and first expert: workshop framing and CAP fund designDaniel Buda
2. Expert Mathews: CAP governance under the single fund and NRPPs

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

EU agri‑food promotion policy: evaluation and political orientations

Veronika Vrecionová and 19 others

The Chair and rapporteur De Meo present the evaluation of Regulation 1144/2014 and a draft implementation report, leading to a debate on simplification for SMEs, scope of eligible products, health and Green Deal consistency, geographical balance and the Commission’s justification of current budget, rules and product coverage.

In this chapter

1. Item 8: agri‑food promotion policy study and De Meo reportVeronika Vrecionová
2. Debate on promotion policy: simplification, SMEs, scope of eligible productsVeronika Vrecionová
3. Promotion policy: geographical balance, trade context and Commission replyŞerban Dimitrie Sturdza

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Single performance framework: broader MEP debate and Commission reply

Gilles Pennelle and 11 others

Further MEPs assess impacts on competitiveness, food security, sanctions and administrative burden for farmers, after which rapporteur Noichl and DG AGRI clarify the design of indicators, accountability mechanisms, transparency tools and the interaction with DNSH rules.

In this chapter

1. Members’ interventions: competitiveness, food security, sanctions, farmer burdenGilles Pennelle
2. Rapporteur & Commission response: indicators, accountability, DNSHMaria Noichl

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Single performance framework under next MFF: rapporteur and shadows

Veronika Vrecionová and 7 others

Introduction of the Commission proposal for a single performance framework and rapporteur Noichl’s draft opinion, followed by first reactions from political groups on climate spending shares, indicators, land‑ownership transparency and DNSH conditionality.

In this chapter

1. Item 7 introduced: single performance framework under next MFFVeronika Vrecionová
2. Rapporteur Noichl: key changes to CAP performance frameworkMaria Noichl
3. Shadows’ first reactions: climate share, indicators, land data, DNSHVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Opening of AGRI meeting and voting session

Veronika Vrecionová ECR

Chair opens the AGRI committee, adopts agenda and minutes, explains voting modalities and webstreaming, then conducts roll‑call and show‑of‑hands votes on farmers’ position in the food chain, the Horizon Europe opinion and EU‑Swiss agreements.

In this chapter

1. Opening of meeting: agenda, minutes, voting delayVeronika Vrecionová
2. Voting: farmers’ position in food chain & Horizon Europe opinionVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Second Q&A rounds: trade, environment and risk management

Csaba Dömötör and 19 others

MEPs press Hansen on Mercosur and other FTAs, use of the crisis reserve, simplification of nitrates and other directives, EU‑level insurance and reinsurance, emissions rules, protein strategy, CAP indicators and safeguards for livestock, sugar and fertiliser sectors.

In this chapter

1. Second Q&A round I: Mercosur, crisis reserve and level playing fieldCsaba Dömötör
2. Second Q&A round II: nitrates, insurance, emissions and protein strategyPaulo do Nascimento Cabral
3. Second Q&A round III: CAP indicators, livestock, Australia FTA and fertilisersMaria Noichl

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

First Q&A round: income stability, NRPP and market pressures

Herbert Dorfmann and 10 others

Coordinators and other MEPs question Hansen on income stability, active farmers, NRPP design and co‑financing, environmental law, milk and meat market crises, and the balance between small and large farms, with exchanges on milk prices, diesel costs and front‑loaded NRPP funds.

In this chapter

1. Coordinators’ questions: income stability, active farmers, NRPP and costsHerbert Dorfmann
2. Further group interventions: environmental law, co‑financing and milk crisisBert-Jan Ruissen
3. Chair and Commissioner on milk prices and fuel costsDaniel Buda

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Structured dialogue with Commissioner Hansen: priorities and future CAP

Veronika Vrecionová and 1 other

The chair opens the structured dialogue; Hansen presents his agenda, simplification achievements and vision for the future CAP, rural funding and crisis preparedness, including fertiliser and supply‑chain resilience.

In this chapter

1. Structured dialogue opened: Commissioner Hansen’s agenda and achievementsVeronika Vrecionová
2. Future CAP, rural funding and crisis preparednessChristophe Hansen

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Experts’ follow‑up answers and Commission response

Daniel Buda PPE

Experts address MEPs’ technical questions on trade, farm viability metrics, sustainability space, coupled support and risk tools, followed by the Commission’s reaction on targeting, resilience and data, and the chair’s wrap‑up on farmers’ vulnerability and food security.

In this chapter

1. Experts’ answers I: trade, level playing field and gradual change
2. Experts’ answers II: measuring viability, sustainability space and innovation
3. Experts’ answers III: coupled support trade‑offs, risk tools and data timelinessDaniel Buda

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

MEPs’ first reactions: targeting, low incomes and CAP budget

Herbert Dorfmann and 13 others

Coordinators and groups react to the study, raising issues of disadvantaged areas, coupled aid, low farm incomes, focus on active and viable farmers, and structural concerns about redistribution, ecological transition, trade and unfair competition.

In this chapter

1. Coordinators’ first reactions: disadvantaged areas, coupled aid, CAP budgetHerbert Dorfmann
2. Group positions: low incomes, active farmers and risk toolsValérie Deloge
3. Greens and Left: call for paradigm shift and stronger redistributionCiaran Mullooly

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Study on farm income support: mandate and key findings

Daniel Buda PPE

Opening of item 12 with presentation of the new study on farm income support, recent income shocks since the Ukraine war, the EU policy toolbox, and recommendations on targeting aid by farm viability and data improvements.

In this chapter

1. Item 12 opened: study on farm income supportDaniel Buda
2. Income shocks since Ukraine war: data gaps highlighted
3. Policy toolbox for income support: efficiency assessment
4. Targeting support by farm viability: key recommendationsDaniel Buda

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

ECA and Commission: POSEI recommendations and future MFF

Veronika Vrecionová and 1 other

The Court of Auditors clarifies its position on POSEI, outlines risks linked to integration into broader funds and value-chain weaknesses, and reiterates three key recommendations, followed by the Commission’s acceptance of these recommendations, its planned actions with Member States, and an explanation of how outermost regions are reflected in the future MFF and Article 349 TFEU framework.

In this chapter

1. Court of Auditors: Response on future MFF, integration and recommendationsVeronika Vrecionová
2. Commission: Response to ECA recommendations on POSEIVeronika Vrecionová
3. Commission: Outermost regions in future MFF

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

POSEI in outermost regions: Audit findings and first political reactions

Veronika Vrecionová and 7 others

The Chair introduces the POSEI item and the ECA presents its audit on POSEI’s objectives, budget use, limited diversification and structural challenges, after which coordinators and MEPs from several groups defend ring‑fenced funding, highlight trade and climate risks, question monoculture viability, call for youth and demography solutions, and seek safeguards and best‑practice sharing for diversified, food‑secure outermost agriculture.

In this chapter

1. Introduction to POSEI and Court of Auditors’ audit findingsVeronika Vrecionová
2. First coordinators on POSEI: Defending ring-fenced funding and cohesion rolePaulo do Nascimento Cabral
3. Patriots, ECR and Greens: Structural inequalities and future of POSEIGilles Pennelle
4. ESN and S&D: Monoculture, other disadvantaged areas and best-practice sharingVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

EU–Morocco Western Sahara agreement: Political scrutiny, legal concerns and Commission replies

Veronika Vrecionová and 8 others

Group coordinators, other MEPs and the standing rapporteur question transparency, data gaps on tomato imports, provisional application without consent, effects on EU farmers, compliance with CJEU rulings and Sahrawi consent, before DG TAXUD and DG AGRI respond on data quality, customs surveillance, procedure, field missions, regional origin labelling, Moroccan conformity checks and support tools for EU producers.

In this chapter

1. EPP coordinator: Transparency, tomato imports and EU farmer impactVeronika Vrecionová
2. S&D coordinator: Trade liberalisation, social impacts and monitoring needsVeronika Vrecionová
3. Patriots & ECR: Democratic oversight, CJEU compliance and level playing fieldVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

EU–Morocco Western Sahara agreement: Introduction and Commission presentations

Veronika Vrecionová ECR

The Chair opens the AGRI meeting, sets the agenda and frames the exchange on tariff preferences for products from Western Sahara, followed by DG TAXUD outlining the scope, implementation, monitoring and legal steps of the 2025 arrangement and DG AGRI explaining the agricultural chapter, CJEU-compliant origin labelling for fruit and vegetables, and related delegated regulation plans.

In this chapter

1. Opening of meeting and agenda adoptionVeronika Vrecionová
2. Commission (DG TAXUD): Scope and implementation of Western Sahara tariff preferencesVeronika Vrecionová
3. Commission (DG AGRI): Agricultural chapter, CJEU ruling and labeling regimeVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

Political reactions to CAP reform: budget, renationalisation and governance

Eric Sargiacomo and 21 others

CAP and CMO rapporteurs and shadows from multiple groups respond to the ECA opinion, warning of reduced predictability, de facto renationalisation, legal and budgetary uncertainty, risks for market measures and sectoral schemes, and highlighting specific concerns on environmental ambition, outermost regions and food security under the proposed framework.

In this chapter

1. CAP rapporteur Linz and CMO rapporteur Como react to ECA opinionEric Sargiacomo
2. Shadows’ first round on CAP reform: predictability, renationalisation, controlDaniel Buda
3. Second round: green, left and other groups on CAP, markets and governanceVeronika Vrecionová
4. Short KGI interventions: CAP budget cuts, outermost regions and fairnessVeronika Vrecionová

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

ECA opinion on post‑2027 CAP and CMO: main risks identified

Veronika Vrecionová and 1 other

The chair introduces the Court of Auditors’ assessment of the Commission’s CAP architecture, and ECA Member Ivanova presents concerns about the loss of a dedicated CAP fund, rising complexity, fragmentation and weak traceability, while also noting potential benefits of greater flexibility and performance‑based implementation if matched by clearer rules and controls.

In this chapter

1. Chair introduces Court of Auditors’ opinion on future CAP and CMOVeronika Vrecionová
2. ECA Ivanova: loss of CAP fund and rising complexity (I)Veronika Vrecionová
3. ECA Ivanova: fragmentation, predictability and opportunities (II)Norbert Lins

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