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In February 2026, two and a half years after the European Commission's proposal, trilogues started on a new regulation on the production and marketing of plant reproductive material (PRM). The proposal, put forward on 5 July 2023, would replace 10 of the 12 PRM directives that currently lay down the rules for seeds, tubers, cuttings, seedlings and young plants. It would introduce sustainability requirements for registering new varieties of agricultural plants, vegetables and fruits intended for professional ...

The current rules on the common agricultural policy (CAP) entered into application in 2023. They were amended back in 2024 following farmer protests, and are being amended again now, as part of the European Commission's overall simplification efforts. During the December plenary session, the Parliament is expected to vote on the text resulting from the provisional agreement on the file reached with the Council.

This EPRS 'European implementation assessment' study aims to inform the ongoing work of the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on an own-initiative report (2025/2089(INI)) on the implementation of Regulation No 1144/2014 on the EU agricultural promotion policy. The study is composed of two parts. The first part is an introduction by EPRS's Ex-post Evaluation Unit that provides the context, methodology and contribution of the study to parliamentary and EU policymaking ...

The demand for 'mirror clauses' in EU free trade agreements (FTAs) or unilateral 'mirror measures' ('mirroring') has gained considerable traction in EU debates on trade and agricultural policy. This study advances a contextual understanding of the terms of 'mirroring' and concepts related to it, presents their economic, legal and operational consequences. It explores rules, potentials and limitations of applying EU sustainability standards to imports. In addition, the expressed need to ensure a fair ...

Highly diverse, soils host more than 25 % of all biodiversity, and are the second largest carbon pool on the planet. In October, the European Parliament is expected to vote on the agreement reached with the Council on a European Commission proposal aimed at establishing the first-ever EU-wide common framework on soils.

While the proposals for the post-2027 CAP are already on the table, the Commission has also proposed to amend the current CAP rules. According to the proposal, as of 2026 the CAP requirements would be made more flexible, and red tape for farmers would be reduced. During the October I plenary session, Parliament is due to vote on the report that will serve as its formal position in interinstitutional negotiations with the Council.

Following several turbulent years for EU agriculture, including widespread farmer protests, the European Commission has proposed new rules for the common agricultural policy (CAP) to apply from 2028. During the September plenary session, Parliament is due to vote on an own-initiative report that, contrary to the Commission's proposal, suggests the CAP budget be increased and kept separate from that of other policies.

The EU's outermost regions (ORs) are characterised by a unique combination of challenges relating to environment, geography and remoteness that impact their agricultural development. To address these challenges, the EU provides specialised support, enabling these regions to enhance their food self-sufficiency, promote local economic growth, and develop more resilient rural communities.

The European Parliament's July 2025 plenary session featured a debate on Parliament's expectations for the EU's post-2027 long-term budget ahead of the Commission's proposal. Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen presented the programme of activities of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, which began on 1 July 2025. Members then discussed the conclusions of the 26 June European Council meeting with António Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President ...

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR, also known as sheep and goat plague) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting goats, sheep, camels and wild ruminants. With a mortality rate of up to 90 %, the disease causes severe economic losses, threatening food security and livelihoods. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates annual global losses to stand at €1.3 billion to €2 billion. Since its first occurrence in Bulgaria in 2018, PPR has caused significant losses in ...