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Feeding Europe's future together!

Copa and Cogeca are the united voice of farmers and agri-cooperatives in the EU. Together, we ensure that EU agriculture is sustainable, innovative and competitive, while guaranteeing food security for 500 million people throughout Europe. 

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Opinion Piece by Presidents

Under mounting pressure, Europe is approaching a defining moment: will it make the right strategic choices for its agriculture?

As political work resumes in Brussels, we believe it would be an understatement to say that morale across Europe’s farming community is anything but high. Another summer of extreme weather, drought and wildfires has added pressure to already difficult market conditions in many Member States. Fertiliser and energy costs remain a concern, with farm finances already running dry, while wars, trade tensions, intensifying global competition and climate shocks are darkening both the immediate and longer-term outlook. It is against this backdrop that some of the most consequential agricultural policy decisions of the second von der Leyen Commission will be shaped in the months ahead. Yet, as European officials return to work, the political process for agriculture at EU level has rarely been so unclear.

01/09/2026

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Key Highlights

Policy

Agriculture is one of the most integrated sectors at European level and lies at the heart of many European institution initiatives. Copa and Cogeca organise themselves so as to respond to the challenges and questions posed by European decision-makers, allowing European farmers and cooperatives to put forward their views and proposals concerning a multitude of subjects that directly affect farmers no matter what agricultural activity they are involved in. In the following 12 categories, you will find our positions on key issues affecting the future of European agriculture.

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Our Vision – We Farm 4 EU

The coming decade is pivotal for EU agriculture. Many challenges lie ahead. We will face difficult debates on generation renewal, low farm income, market volatility and climate change. As European farmers and cooperatives, we are aware of and ready to navigate these difficult issues and to weather the changes in store. We seek to deliver the type of agriculture that our citizens expect and demand: agriculture that provides a high level of food security and high standards of quality, welfare, sustainability and environmental protection. This is our commitment to Europe! In return, we look to Europe’s leaders to deliver the policy framework that will feed our future.  

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NEWS






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Exceptional heatwave impact on agriculture: Copa and Cogeca present initial assessment to Commissioner Hansen and call for action

The crisis, coming on top of the input crisis and the sharp increases in fertiliser and energy costs, is no longer simply a question of this summer’s harvest. It poses a risk for the economy, production and food-security, as well and an inflation risk that will extend into the months ahead.

01.09.26 #PRESSRELEASE

Under mounting pressure, Europe is approaching a defining moment: will it make the right strategic choices for its agriculture?

As political work resumes in Brussels, we believe it would be an understatement to say that morale across Europe’s farming community is anything but high. Another summer of extreme weather, drought and wildfires has added pressure to already difficult market conditions in many Member States. Fertiliser and energy costs remain a concern, with farm finances already running dry, while wars, trade tensions, intensifying global competition and climate shocks are darkening both the immediate and longer-term outlook.

01.09.26 #OPINIONPIECE

2026 Forecast: Cereal production declines after last year's rebound, while oilseeds and protein crops maintain positive momentum

The experts of the Copa-Cogeca Working Parties on Cereals, Oilseeds and Protein Crops expect a more challenging year for EU cereals in 2026, while oilseeds are forecast to deliver another strong harvest and protein crops are expected to maintain their positive momentum despite lower yields. However, the overall outlook remains highly weather-dependent, and the coming weeks will be crucial in confirming final production, as the recent weather events may have a greater impact than initially expected.

23.07.26 #PRESSRELEASE

Nitrates Directive Evaluation: Amid a fertiliser crisis calling for a rethink, the Commission chooses the status quo

After 3 years of assessment, the European Commission has published its long-awaited evaluation of the Nitrates Directive.This evaluation should have opened a genuine reflection on whether a legislative framework designed more than 30 years ago remains fit for the challenges of 21st-century agriculture. Instead, it largely maintains the status quo, which is a clear disappointment for COPA COGECA.

15.07.26 #PRESSRELEASE

Organic regulation revision: AGRI Committee vote paves the way for trilogue negotiations and avoids dangerous delays

Yesterday’s vote in the European Parliament’s AGRI Committee approving Rapporteur Camilla Laureti’s report on the targeted revision of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 represents a significant step forward in the legislative process. The adoption of the 5 compromise amendments, that the rapporteur and shadow rapporteurs negotiated, provides a clearer path for the upcoming trilogue negotiations.

15.07.26 #PRESSRELEASE

The EU Competitiveness agenda and Competitiveness Fund 2028 –2034 must put Agriculture and the agri-food chain at their core

The EU Competitiveness Agenda and Competitiveness Fund 2028–2034 must place agriculture and the agri-food chain at their core—because they are at the heart of the European project, a pillar of 🇪🇺 economy, security and way of life. 40 signing organisations consider the European Competitiveness Fund a major opportunity to mobilise investments in agriculture, food and the whole agri-food chain - including its processing and manufacturing activities - within the future MFF enabling deployment of key strategic investments for infrastructure, services and skills focusing on strategic actions and reducing the investment gap of the sector.

14.07.26 #JOINTSTATEMENT

European Parliament backs modernised EU-Mexico Agreement: Copa and Cogeca call for effective implementation

Following today's approval by the European Parliament of the modernised EU–Mexico Agreement, Copa and Cogeca underline that the agreement has the potential to strengthen EU agri-food exports and regulatory cooperation. Delivering on that potential, however, will require effective implementation, robust enforcement and careful monitoring of its impact on sensitive agricultural sectors.

08.07.26 #PRESSRELEASE

European Parliament rejects delegated act on soybean oil, protecting the EU soy value chain

We welcome today's vote by the European Parliament adopting the Motion for a Resolution objecting to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2680, which would have classified soybean oil as a high indirect land-use change (ILUC) risk feedstock under the Renewable Energy Directive. This vote sends a strong signal in favour of evidence-based policymaking and greater coherence between the EU's renewable energy, agriculture and food security objectives.

08.07.26 #JOINTSTATEMENT

EU Livestock and Protein Strategies: Will the Commission deliver before time runs out?

As it is already approaching the midpoint of its mandate, the European Commission just presented its long-awaited Livestock Strategy and Protein Plan, 2 flagship communications announced in the Vision for Agriculture and Food. The 2 Communications primarily mark an important shift in tone. After years in which livestock was too often portrayed as part of the problem, the Commission now recognises its contribution to food security, rural vitality, the circular economy, and the production of high-quality proteins and renewable energy. However, both remain heavily focused on assessments, monitoring and benchmarking, while even a careful reading of the annexes makes it difficult to identify concrete actions or measures that would deliver tangible relief for farmers on the ground.

07.07.26 #PRESSRELEASE

CBAM safeguard for fertilisers: ENVI Committee removes the only crisis safety valve for farmers!

Parliament's ENVi Committee adopted yesterday its report on the revision of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. While farmers and agri-cooperatives had hoped that 🇪🇺 Parliament would strengthen the proposal by ensuring greater resilience during periods of market disruption, the Committee instead chose to delete the only provision that would have allowed for the temporary suspension of the #CBAM on fertilisers in times of crisis (Article 27a).

07.07.26 #PRESSRELEASE

Europe says Yes to innovation: NGT legislation crosses the finish line!

Copa and Cogeca welcome today's final approval by the European Parliament of the Regulation on NGTs, at a time when 🇪🇺 agriculture faces increasing climate, environmental and market challenges, access to better-performing crop varieties is essential to ensure food security, sustainability and competitiveness.This vote is a major and historic milestone. The new framework is expected to become fully operational within the next 2 years. The focus must now be on delivering the rules and guidance that will allow effectively European farmers to access this innovation.

17.06.2026 #PRESSRELEASE

Fertiliser crisis requires exceptional speed and determination!

European Commission unveiled a complementary set of CAP adjustments aimed at providing Member States with greater flexibility to support farmers facing sharply rising fertiliser costs. COPA COGECA acknowledges that these announcements represent an initial positive step. However, these they should be seen for what they are: limited adjustments that leave the core issues untouched and fail to match the magnitude of the crisis that could hit 🇪🇺agriculture in the months ahead.

12.06.2026 #PRESSRELEASE

Copa-Cogeca TV

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Why do EU farmers oppose CBAM ?

We’re all talking about the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. What exactly is it? How does it work, and, above all, how much will it really cost European farmers? Has anyone actually done the maths? At Copa Cogeca, we have, and the result is frightening!

EU Cereal Crisis: The scissor effect crushing EU farmers

For 3 years in a row, European cereal producers are in the red economically, losing up to €500 per hectare. This situation is becoming increasingly structural and should raise concern well beyond the farming sector. What is the main driver? Fertilisers and their prices.

Strasbourg European farmers protest - 20.01.2026

From 18 December in Bruxelles to 20 January in Strasbourg, European farmers have shown their determination to save the future of EU farming.Farmers have been one of the backbone of European construction for more than 80 years. If you break the backbone, you can't stand anymore. Our message is clear: we will keep pushing for a strong common CAP, for fair trade deals and legal certainty. The mobilisation continues!

EUROPEAN AWARD FOR COOPERATIVE INNOVATION

Relive the Inspiration!The official video highlight of the Final Ceremony of the 6th European Award for Cooperative Innovation is here! Watch as 11 European agri-cooperatives are celebrated for their groundbreaking innovative efforts. Their work embodies the spirit of "Cooperatives build a better world", the motto for the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 Agri-cooperatives are driving economic activity, social inclusion, and environmental transition across Europe!


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About us

European agriculture and forestry are incredibly diverse. This diversity is our pride and our strength, and we must do everything in our collective power to protect it! This is why all models of agriculture, all types of production and all sizes of farms and cooperatives are represented within Copa and Cogeca. 

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