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Welcome to our monthly insights into EU agri-food policy news. This month’s agri-food update follows a pattern that feels familiar: the EU is trying to simplify rules, but without weakening the ambition behind them. That tension runs throughout many of our updates this month: from the EUDR and fertilizers, through to animal welfare, the food feed omnibus and regenerative agriculture. Read on for our analysis…
Commission holds the line on EUDR, while IT system and product scope face pushback
What happened?
Two parallel strands of lobbying have shaped the debate around the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) over the past month. The Commission is holding the line on the EUDR, while stakeholders continue to push on two fronts: the product scope and the Information System.
On the one hand, industry engagement has focused on the targeted consultation to amend Annex I, which closed on 1 June. The European Commission is currently analysing the feedback and assessing whether to confirm the proposed changes to the scope of products covered by the Regulation. These proposals include the exclusion of certain leather-related products and the inclusion of others such as soluble coffee.
On the other hand, a separate group of stakeholders is concentrating on the practical implementation of the Regulation, in particular the EUDR Information System ahead of its application on 30 December 2026.
On the Commission’s side, DG Environment confirmed once again that the EUDR will not be reopened, stressing that the simplification review is about reducing administrative burden while maintaining environmental ambition.
The Ohana take: Ahead of the 30 December 2026 deadline, operators should not expect a fundamental rewrite or delay of the EUDR, but rather targeted technical adjustments to the Information System and product list, which should be confirmed soon by the European Commission.
Commission presents its new Fertilizers Action Plan, without softening CBAM requirements, so the cost environment for fertilizers is changing structurally
What happened? On 19 May, the European Commission adopted its Fertilizers Action Plan, setting out a package of short‑ and long‑term measures to secure Europe’s fertilizer supply, ease cost pressures on farmers and strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy. The plan combines immediate support on affordability and availability with structural action to boost domestic production, diversify imports and accelerate the shift towards bio‑based, low‑carbon and circular fertilizers. The adopted action plan also puts stronger emphasis on nutrient‑efficient farming and the uptake of bio‑based, low‑carbon and circular fertilizers, and announces steps to improve the functioning of the Single Market for fertilizers and to support supply diversification and investment in sustainable fertilizer production, including in partner countries.
The Ohana take: The publication of the Action Plan confirms CBAM for fertilizers is here to stay, with no softening, so agrifood operators should plan for a structurally higher carbon‑priced fertilizer environment.
The debate shifts to credibility: if “regenerative” is going to appear in corporate branding and EU policy initiatives, definitions, evidence and governance matter.
What happened? More than 20 European organisations (including NGOs, farmers’ groups and research actors) issued a joint statement, warning against the growing misuse of the term “regenerative agriculture” in EU policy and corporate strategies. They argue that the concept is increasingly used as a vague marketing label that can cover practices with limited or even negative environmental impact. They are calling on EU policymakers to ensure that sustainability claims are science-based, clearly defined and backed by credible certification and governance frameworks.
The Ohana take: While regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum in Brussels policy conversations and was high on the agenda of the EU Green Week, “regenerative” greenwashing could undermine both farmers already delivering real environmental benefits and consumer trust, while weakening the EU’s broader agri-food transition if unclear claims replace robust, verifiable standards.
The Livestock Strategy is already becoming a test of how the Commission balances competitiveness, sustainability and public expectations on animal welfare.
What happened? MEPs from the Animal Welfare Intergroup have called for the upcoming EU Livestock Strategy to place animal welfare at its core, rather than treating it as a secondary or purely economic consideration. Among their asks, they push for the Commission to deliver on its commitment to phase out cages and advance an EU animal welfare label to better inform consumers and reward higher welfare production.
The Ohana take: The EU is set to present its Livestock Strategy on 1 July 2026 as part of its broader Vision for Agriculture and Food, with animal welfare identified as a key component alongside competitiveness and sustainability. The debate around its scope is therefore critical: stakeholders warn that without stronger prioritisation and concrete measures, the strategy risks falling short in addressing public expectations, environmental challenges and long-standing welfare concerns in the sector.
The political fight on pesticides has been delayed, not resolved.
What happened? EU Member States have agreed a mandate to start talks with Parliament on selected parts of the Food and Feed Safety omnibus, covering rules to allow the use of drones for pesticide application, remove duplicated record‑keeping on animal medicines and mortalities, and repeal two outdated directives on plastic materials in contact with food. The politically sensitive chapter on pesticide approvals and maximum residue levels has parked and procedurally split off from the rest of the package with capitals only endorsing guidance for further work at this stage. On the parliamentary side, the joint AGRI‑ENVI vote is penciled in for 5 October, with plenary on 19 October, meaning trilogues on the cleared parts can only start in the autumn. In a subsequent discussion, however, EU countries failed to agree a negotiating mandate on the pesticide chapter, which will now require further work under the incoming Irish Council Presidency before talks with Parliament can begin.
The Ohana take: The real political battle around pesticide approvals and Maximum Residue Levels has been postponed. Stakeholders should get familiar with the co-legislators’ proposals ahead of trilogue, e.g., mapping how drone rules and streamlined veterinary reporting could ease operations, while preparing for a more contentious debate on pesticide risk‑management later in the year. Given the lack of Council consensus on pesticides, that debate is likely to move forward under the Irish Council Presidency from July, increasing uncertainty around timing and the final ambition.
18–19 June 2026
The 17th European edition of the Sustainable Foods Summit in Amsterdam will gather food and beverage companies, retailers, NGOs and other stakeholders to discuss sustainability impacts, ethical sourcing, biodiversity and marketing trends in the food sector.
24 June 2026
This event will examine how environmental legislation such as the Water Framework, Birds and Habitats and Nitrates Directives affects investment in modern, circular and sustainable farms. Expect discussions around “simplification” which genuinely reduces administrative burden while enabling sustainable farming and rural investments.
24 June 2026
FoodDrinkEurope’s FoodFuture Ideas Fest will showcase ideas and innovations shaping the future of food and drink, featuring discussions, a “Taste the Future” innovation space and workshops, as well as a festival-style summer drinks party
24 June 2026
This cross-party event at the European Parliament will explore what farmers need to make diversification economically viable and resilient, drawing on practical experiences and policy perspectives.
If you have questions regarding anything in the Ohana Agri-Food Monthly Insights, please reach out to Natalia Yerashevich at natalia@ohanapublicaffairs.eu, Francesca Fina at francesca@ohanapublicaffairs.eu or Katerina Kunova at katerina@ohanapublicaffairs.eu