Farm to Fork Strategy

EFSA Proposes Higher Acequinocyl MRLs for Cane Fruits and Small Berries in the EU

EFSA has issued a May 2026 reasoned opinion proposing higher EU maximum residue limits for the acaricide acequinocyl in cane fruits and other small fruits and berries while confirming that the existing honey MRL can remain at 0.05 mg/kg. If the European Commission follows these recommendations, berry growers and crop protection suppliers will gain additional authorised acequinocyl uses, with EFSA’s modelling indicating that consumer exposure would remain comfortably below toxicological reference values.

23 May 2026, 11:18efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.comEuropean Union

EU Eurostat Updates Pesticide Sales Dataset (tai02) for 2013–2024

Eurostat has updated its EU pesticide sales dataset (tai02) in May 2026, providing harmonised 2013–2024 volumes of plant protection products sold across EU27, Switzerland and Norway. These official statistics give manufacturers and agricultural supply chains better insight into demand and use trends, supporting compliance planning under EU plant protection rules and informing future policy debates on pesticide reduction.

20 May 2026, 19:20ec.europa.euEuropean UnionSwitzerlandNorway

European Commission Adopts Fertiliser Action Plan to Secure EU Supply

The European Commission has adopted a Fertiliser Action Plan to stabilise prices, secure supplies and support a shift toward more resilient, low‑fossil fertiliser use across EU agriculture. This non‑legislative programme signals stronger policy pressure on fertiliser producers and agri‑food supply chains to invest in nutrient efficiency, circular and bio‑based fertilisers, and to prepare for deeper market transparency and possible future regulatory tightening.

20 May 2026, 17:56agriculture.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands Parliament Motion Urging Accelerated EU Assessment of Biocontrol Agents

In May 2026, the Dutch House of Representatives tabled a motion urging the government to push in EU negotiations for a fast-track, green lane-style assessment of biocontrol substances and products. If followed through, this could speed market access for biological plant protection agents while increasing scrutiny of their risks, signalling future shifts in EU pesticide portfolios and regulatory priorities.

14 May 2026, 18:45zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

European Commission Clarifies Equivalence And Labelling For Category 1 NGT Plants

In May 2026 the European Commission answered an MEP question by confirming the scientific basis and regulatory safeguards for treating certain “category 1” plants obtained by new genomic techniques as equivalent to conventional plants under the draft NGT regulation. For companies in seeds, crops, and food and feed, this clarifies that these NGT varieties would be exempt from additional GMO risk assessment but remain subject to conventional‑plant rules, a monitoring programme, and public register and seed‑labelling transparency, informing how they design future breeding and segregation strategies.

12 May 2026, 15:10europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EU AGRI Committee To Debate Regulatory Harmonisation in the Hemp Sector

In early May 2026, the European Parliament's agriculture committee will debate regulatory harmonisation for the EU hemp sector, focusing on divergent national rules on using all parts of the plant and related Common Market Organisation reform aspects. This signals growing political momentum to remove legal uncertainty that constrains hemp's role in the EU bioeconomy and could shape future CAP and market-access rules for hemp-derived products.

4 May 2026, 18:23europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Overview Report Identifies Gaps in Farmed Fish Welfare Controls Across the EU and Norway

In April 2026 the European Commission published a major overview report showing farmed fish welfare in the EU and Norway remains patchy, with weak species-specific rules and limited official controls. While not itself binding, this assessment signals growing pressure for harmonised welfare standards, systematic inspections, and clearer indicators that aquaculture producers and retailers will increasingly be expected to meet.

28 Apr 2026, 18:25ec.europa.euEuropean UnionNorway

EU JRC Publishes Study On Organic Transition In EU Agriculture

The EU Joint Research Centre has published a study validating that transitioning to organic farming significantly reduces chemical input use while maintaining or improving farm profitability. These findings provide the technical justification for future EU policy shifts toward stricter pesticide and fertilizer restrictions and performance-based agricultural subsidies.

4 Apr 2026, 10:57publications.jrc.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Analyses Non-Authorised Pesticide Substances in Organic Products Under Regulation (EU) 2018/848

The European Commission has published an analysis of Member State investigations into pesticide contamination within organic supply chains. Companies must strengthen traceability and precautionary measures as one-third of contamination cases now lead to the immediate loss of organic market access.

2 Apr 2026, 16:40ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Report on Article 29 of the Organic Production Regulation

The European Commission has released a report evaluating how Member States manage non-authorised substance detections in organic products under Regulation (EU) 2018/848. This review signals potential future harmonisation of enforcement protocols and contamination thresholds, requiring tighter supply chain monitoring to maintain organic certification and market access.

2 Apr 2026, 12:39ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Romania ANF Installs Final Equipment for New Residue-Analysis Laboratories in Bacău, Slatina and Arad

Romania is significantly expanding its national pesticide residue monitoring capacity with three new laboratories scheduled to become operational for the upcoming agricultural season. This infrastructure investment signals a shift toward more rigorous market surveillance and increased frequency of phytosanitary enforcement for plant-based products.

2 Apr 2026, 07:55anfdf.roRomania

EU EFSA Opens Peer Review of Pesticide Active Substance Tri-allate

EFSA has launched the peer review for the renewal of the herbicide Tri-allate following the submission of the assessment report in March 2026. This evaluation is a critical milestone that will dictate future market access and potential use restrictions for Tri-allate-based products in the EU.

1 Apr 2026, 18:46open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Norway (Mattilsynet) Opens Electronic Plant Protection Record‑Keeping API From 1 May 2026

Norway will launch a mandatory electronic pesticide record-keeping API in May 2026 to implement harmonized EU reporting requirements for professional users. Businesses must ensure digital systems align with new data models to maintain compliance and meet increasing transparency and traceability standards across the agricultural supply chain.

1 Apr 2026, 18:45mattilsynet.noNorway

EU Commission Adopts Regulation 2026/742 Updating MRLs for Cyflufenamid, Fenazaquin and Nicotine

The European Union has updated maximum residue levels for cyflufenamid, fenazaquin, and nicotine in food and feed products, with new limits taking effect on April 20, 2026. Operators must ensure immediate supply chain compliance with these revised thresholds while preparing for significant nicotine residue reviews scheduled for 2029 and 2030.

1 Apr 2026, 18:40eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Replies to National Parliaments and Confirms Forthcoming EU Plant-Based Protein Action Plan

The European Commission will publish a comprehensive EU plant-based protein action plan by mid-2026 to reduce import dependencies and enhance food security. Agri-food operators should prepare for a strategic shift toward localized protein sourcing and potential new standards for alternative protein labeling and sustainability.

1 Apr 2026, 18:34ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Calabria Region Confirms Emergency Derogation for Plant‑Protection Product CLOSER (Sulfoxaflor) on Citrus and Stone Fruit

Calabria has granted an emergency authorization for the pesticide sulfoxaflor on citrus and stone fruits through July 2026. Businesses sourcing from this region must ensure agricultural practices align with this temporary window to manage residue risks and maintain market access.

1 Apr 2026, 14:41regione.calabria.itItalyIT_78

EU/EFSA Registers Intake Application for Allyl Isothiocyanate as New PPP Active Substance

EFSA has initiated the formal risk assessment of allyl isothiocyanate following a March 2026 application for its approval as a new active substance in plant protection products. This signals a potential expansion of the EU pesticide portfolio and requires stakeholders to monitor the evaluation for future market access and substitution opportunities.

1 Apr 2026, 14:17open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Confirms Siltac Is a Plant Protection Product Requiring Authorisation Under Regulation 1107/2009

The European Commission confirmed that siloxane-based insect control products acting via physical mechanisms are classified as Plant Protection Products under Regulation 1107/2009. Manufacturers must now secure formal pesticide authorizations to maintain market access, ending the use of non-PPP regulatory pathways for these substances.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Sweden: New Spray-Log Documentation Rules and 2027 Digital-Only Requirement for Professional Plant Protection Products

Sweden is mandating expanded record-keeping for professional plant protection product use from 2026, with a transition to digital-only documentation by 2027. Professional users must modernize data management systems to ensure compliance with stricter traceability and sustainable use reporting standards.

31 Mar 2026, 19:19jordbruksverket.seSweden

EU Commission Regulation Amending Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 on MRLs for Certain Substances

The European Commission moved in March 2026 to exempt five substances, including magnesium hydroxide and grape seed extract, from pesticide residue limit requirements. This inclusion in Annex IV reduces compliance costs and simplifies market access for food and feed operators by removing residue monitoring obligations for these low-risk substances.

31 Mar 2026, 19:01ec.europa.euEuropean Union