In Cyprus the total number of FMD outbreaks have risen to 116. In Greece there have now been 83 confirmed outbreaks of FMD.

In the wake of the FMD outbreak and reduced production of goat and sheep milk, the Cypriot government have announced that the proportion of goat milk required in Cypriot halloumi cheese will be reduced from 25% to 15% until the end of the year.

African Swine Fever in domestic pigs in Slovakia

An outbreak of African Swine Fever has been detected in a commercial pig farm in Slovakia. This is the first outbreak on a farm in 2026. The affected farm has 805 pigs. Disease was reported following the death of a pig, with confirmation of the disease on the 5th May by the National Reference Laboratory in Zvolen. Culling, cleaning and disinfection has been carried out over the past days.

Financing the transition to cage-free farming in the EU

A new report from IEEP, Commissioned by Eurogroup for Animals and Compassion in World Farming, on ‘Financing the transition to cage-free farming in the EU’ was published last week. The report finds that transitioning away from cage-based farming is technically feasible and can be economically viable, but only with clearer legislation, targeted financial support, and stronger market incentives.

Poland files legal challenge against EU-Mercosur deal

Poland has filed a legal challenge against the EU-Mercosur trade deal at the EU’s Court of Justice, requesting that the agreement is suspended whilst the court considers the case.

The deal has been provisionally implemented in the EU since 1 May 2026.

The complaint argues that EU Member States, not the Commission, should have the final say on provisional application.

EFSA reports high compliance with pesticide residues limits

In its scientific report, ‘The 2024 European Union report on pesticide residues in food', the European Food Safety Authority found that overall dietary exposure to pesticide residues is low for most population groups, while non-compliance rates remain limited across monitoring programmes.

The analysis confirms that the vast majority of food on the EU market complies with legal limits.

Council adopts new law to streamline rules on biocides

The Council has adopted new EU rules on biocides as part of the “Omnibus X” simplification package, extending certain data protection periods.

The change addresses delays in reviewing existing biocidal active substances by aligning data protection with the extended review timeline until 31 December 2030.

The measure fits within the EU’s broader effort to reduce administrative burdens, enhance competitiveness and simplify regulation ahead of a full evaluation of biocides legislation planned for 2026–2027.

EU Fertiliser Action Plan and Copa-Cogeca flash action

The long awaited, EU Fertiliser Action Plan is due to be published on 19 May.

The plan is expected to contain a series of measures aiming to reduce dependency on imports, increase EU fertiliser production, support use efficiency and promote the uptake of biobased and low-carbon fertilisers.

Coinciding with the release, Copa-Cogeca are staging a flash action outside of the European Parliament in Strasbourg to raise the alarm about the fertiliser crisis, the growing impact of CBAM, and the looming food security consequences.

Commission approves €1.5 billion Spanish State aid scheme

Spain is to compensate farmers for the damage caused by severe floods that affected an area of over 100,000 km² (over 20% of Spanish territory) in Andalusia and Extremadura.

The scheme aims to prevent farm closures and preserve agricultural production.

The aid will take the form of direct grants covering up to 100% of eligible costs.

European Council reach position on organic simplification

The European Council reached their General Approach on the organic simplification proposals, which aim to make the rules simpler to follow and interpret.

Key points include simplification and flexibility for small operators, clarity on imported organic product labelling and temporary flexibility to use non-organic protein feeds for poultry and pigs.

EU-Mexico relations: Council endorses agreements

The European Council has authorised the signing of the EU-Mexico Political, Economic and Cooperation Strategic Partnership Agreement and the interim Trade Agreement.

The EU and Mexico will proceed to the formal signing of both agreements on 22 May 2026.

The European Parliament will be asked to give its consent before the agreements can be formally concluded.

Germany to offer loans in response to rising costs

Germany’s agriculture ministry and the Agricultural Pension Bank have announced a €200 million liquidity assistance programme which can help farms deal with higher diesel and fertilizer costs. Farms can claim up to €50,000 in discounted loans without proof of liquidity requirements, or up to €500,000 with proof, for a three-year term starting from June 1st.