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Welcome to our monthly insights into all EU agri-food policy news – from legislations and debates to political deals and manoeuvring – directly from Brussels and with a focus on sustainability. To mark the passing of the new year, we have also prepared a unique blog article with our 2026 predictions of agri-food related EU events and policies. If you want to know what’s coming in 2026, check it out quickly!
The European Commission Has Published a new Omnibus on Food and Feed Safety, Amending 11 Laws.
What? On 16 December 2025, the European Commission unveiled a cross‑cutting Food and Feed Omnibus to streamline rules across plant protection products, pesticide residues, biocides, feed additives, hygiene and official controls. Measures include faster access for biocontrol, digital labelling options for feed additives, and targeted changes to border controls (splitting consignments). The most controversial proposal is the removal of routine expiry and reapproval of most pesticides. Instead, pesticides would undergo a new approval process only if new scientific evidence has emerged.
Why is it important? The Omnibus package introduces a set of measures relevant to the plant protection sector. Easing the approval process of biopesticides will lower their cost and facilitate their uptake by European farmers. By considerably reducing the frequency of pesticide re-approval procedures, the European Commission hopes to reduce administrative costs and speed up the remaining approval processes.
The Omnibus needs to be approved by both the Council of the EU and the European Parliament, which will amend it to reflect both institution’s positions. The ordinary legislative procedure typically lasts about a year but may stretch for a longer time when controversial.
Revised EUDR Enters into Force But Uncertainty Remains
What? On 23 December, the targeted revision of the EU Deforestation Regulation was published in the Official Journal, and entered into force three days later. The application of anti-deforestation rules is postponed to 30 December 2026 for large and medium operators and 30 June 2027 for micro and small operators. Due‑diligence is also simplified, meaning only the first EU operator placing the product on the market files a full statement, while downstream actors retain the reference number. By April 2026, the European Commission will also assess the effectiveness of the EUDR and its simplification, including its administrative burden placed on small operators; this assessment will be accompanied by a legislative proposal if needed.
Why is it important? This is already the second EUDR delay and the announcement of possible further changes in April 2026 brings considerable uncertainty to all stakeholders involved. Some environmental NGOs regret the delay and fear for the effective implementation of the anti-deforestation rules in the current political climate.
If you need implementation support on the EUDR, check out our blog article Common Questions Food & Beverage Brands Are Asking About EUDR and don’t hesitate to contact us directly!
Final Agreement On Sustainability Reporting and Due Diligence Rules Set to Become Law
What? On 16 December 2025, the European Parliament gave its final approval to the Omnibus I simplification package. The package significantly raises the application threshold of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which will now apply only to companies with at least 1,000 employees and €450 million in net turnover. In addition, a value-chain cap will limit information requests to out-of-scope business partners, in line with the voluntary reporting standard.
The scope of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) has also been narrowed, with thresholds increased to 5,000 employees and €1.5 billion in net turnover. Climate transition plans will become voluntary, and the Directive’s application will be deferred by one year, until 2029. The amended CSDDD also removes the EU-wide civil liability regime. However, it introduces a review clause for 2031, under which the Commission will assess, among other elements, whether the thresholds should be lowered to bring more companies into scope and whether national-level enforcement mechanisms are sufficiently effective.
Why is it important? The final Parliament vote marks a significant milestone in the Omnibus I adoption process. The Council is expected to rubberstamp the current agreement, before its publication in the official journal in early 2026. The European Commission must still adopt the official standard for voluntary use and the simplified European Sustainability Reporting Standards, and could issue sector-specific guidance at a later stage. Companies now have two years to prepare for the revised CSRD, and three years for the CSDDD.
Provisional Agreement Found, Allowing for Flexibility and Future Review
What? On 9–10 December 2025, Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement to amend the European Climate Law, setting a binding 90% net GHG reduction by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. The deal includes flexibilities: up to 5 percentage points of reductions via high‑quality international carbon credits from 2036, a one‑year delay to ETS2 (buildings/road transport) to 2028, and biennial Commission progress reviews.
Why is it important? The inclusion of international carbon credits was very controversial and was approved by the European Parliament’s negotiators conditioned to “robust safeguards”. The precise nature of these safeguards will depend on the European Commission’s assessment of pilot projects from 2031 to 2036. Non-EU projects relying on carbon farming and other long-term carbon capture techniques could benefit from an international carbon credit system.
UPFs in Crosshairs of Safe Hearts Plan
What? Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are receiving increasing attention in public and policy discussions, particularly regarding their potential links to adverse health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. In this context, the European Commission’s new Safe Hearts Plan seeks to address challenges related to foods high in fat, sugar and salt by exploring appropriate tools, including possible financial measures, to support and fund primary prevention actions, encourage food reformulation, and promote healthier consumer choices.The European Commission will also propose a new, science-based digital system to explain food processing to consumers, with the aim of encouraging healthier diets.
Why is it important? Ultra-processed foods are central to contemporary diets, despite significant variation in national consumption levels. They are praised as convenient, cheap, and with a long shelf-life. However, they are also criticised as unhealthy by many researchers and health and consumer associations. The Safe Hearts Plan could be significant as it signals a potential shift in the EU’s approach to food policy, with implications for product portfolios, reformulation strategies, and investment decisions.
Targeted Simplification of Organic Rules in the Making
What?The Commission released the roadmap “Organic rulebook fit for the future” on 17 December 2025, setting the path to simplify secondary rules, review interpretations, and launch a consultation in 2026 to update the Organic Action Plan, all while safeguarding high standards under EU law.
Why is it important? The roadmap was welcomed by the organic sector, which has struggled in recent years and would benefit from additional support. However, the roadmap can also be interpreted as a sign of decreasing ambition from the EU on organic agriculture. It makes no mention to the aspirational target of organic production covering 25% of agricultural land.
For companies, this review means gaining greater clarity on organic import rules under the equivalence regime, adjusting to the extension of third-country recognitions beyond 31 December 2026 to avoid trade disruptions, and operating within a streamlined framework that supports informed consumer choice, fair competition, and the competitiveness of EU organic production.
Advancing Bio-Based Materials Through the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and Biotech Act
What? In late November 2025, the Commission adopted the Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy, signalling political will to scale up bio-based industries and regional bioeconomy clusters. The framework prioritises sustainable biomass use, cascading valorisation of residues, and investment mobilisation through a new Bioeconomy Investment Deployment Group. It also commits to regulatory streamlining and monitoring via the EU Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy.
In December, the Bioeconomy Strategy was reinforced by the Biotech Act I, introducing faster, more streamlined risk assessments for food products and a new regulatory tool for biotech. However, novel foods are excluded.
Why is it important? Bioeconomy is now firmly embedded in EU industrial and climate policy, creating opportunities for agri-food operators to diversify into biobased materials, circular feedstocks, and rural innovation projects. For food businesses, the link to the Biotech Act is critical: it is expected to enable advanced biotechnologies, including precision fermentation and microbial processes, under a clearer regime. These tools can accelerate sustainable protein production, functional ingredients, and waste-to-value pathways, aligning competitiveness with climate and health goals. A second part of the Biotech Act, planned in Q3 2026, will cover sectors beyond health.
Q&A Published to Ease Entry into Application in September 2026
What? The Commission published a Questions & Answers document that explains how to interpret the Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT), which will ban misleading environmental claims, tighten rules for sustainability labels, and require clearer information on repairability and durability at point of sale. The Q&A document answers 21 frequently asked questions, from precisions on “implied” impact on the environment to obligations set on labelling schemes.
Why is it important? Bioeconomy is now firmly embedded in EU industrial and climate policy, creating opportunities for agri-food operators to diversify into biobased materials, circular feedstocks, and rural innovation projects. For food businesses, the link to the Biotech Act is critical: it is expected to enable advanced biotechnologies, including precision fermentation and microbial processes, under a clearer regime. These tools can accelerate sustainable protein production, functional ingredients, and waste-to-value pathways, aligning competitiveness with climate and health goals. A second part of the Biotech Act, planned in Q3 2026, will cover sectors beyond health.
22-23 January 2026
Are you interested in research & innovation funding opportunities in the areas of food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment?
Join the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 info days on 22 and 23 January 2026 to learn more about the topics of the forthcoming Work Programme 2026! The event will be hybrid hosted in Brussels at the Charlemagne conference facility and streamed online via the European Commission’s web platform.
26 January 2026
On 26 January 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will hold a public hearing in the context of its own-initiative opinion on a strategy for nature-based biodegradable materials. The hearing will invite different representatives from the European Commission and civil society organisations to gather input to contribute to a comprehensive strategy for nature-based biodegradable materials. The event will be held in Brussels and online.
26 January 2026
Stakeholders have until 26 January 2026 to submit their feedback to the call for evidence on the revision of the revision of the public procurement directives.
27-28 January 2026
Agri-food sector representatives are invited to join the Info Days on 27 and 28 January in Brussels and online. The European Commission will provide information about the Promotion of Agricultural Products policy and the calls for proposals which will be launched in January 2026. Participants will also hear from current beneficiaries and expert evaluators.
28 January 2026
The Sustainable Livestock Intergroup and the Committee of the Regions, supported by the animal feed industry (FEFAC), are organising an exchange around policy options to support low-emission livestock.The event will be held in Brussels and livestreamed.
28 January 2026
Building on the findings of FoodDrinkEurope’s Water Report, this session will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and water experts to analyse mounting pressures on water resources and identify collaborative pathways for the food and drink sector to enhance water resilience across Europe.The event will be held in Brussels and online.
Book a FREE Call With Ohana’s Agri-Food Expert
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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 Arthur Faure at arthur@ohanapublicaffairs.eu