AGP Executive Report

Labour abuse in Italy: Four migrant farm workers (three Afghans, one Pakistani) were burned to death in a Calabria van attack; two suspects were arrested after CCTV showed the car being set alight, reigniting scrutiny of exploitation in seasonal picking. EU trade & forced labour: The US has proposed new tariffs on imports from 60 economies, including the EU and UK, over alleged forced-labour failures—raising fresh pressure on Brussels as it tries to finish its own trade steps. CAP & young farmers: EU lawmakers are pushing to keep a two-pillar CAP structure and ring-fence 10% of CAP support for young farmers, as debate continues over how to fund the next generation. Fertiliser costs: The EU is set to suspend fertiliser tariffs for one year to cut farm costs and reduce dependence on Russia, while Spain also approved €54m state aid for agricultural fuel prices. Energy & farming inputs: Ireland opened a €15m registered vessel fuel support scheme for fishing and aquaculture to offset Middle East-driven fuel spikes. Ag tech & machinery: John Deere plans combine updates for 2027, adding more automation and in-cab convenience to lower harvesting costs. Climate risk for food: Reports warn a possible “Super El Niño” could bring hotter, drier conditions that may hit crop yields and food prices across Europe.

Agri-Industry Investment: Cargill is pouring about €56m into Belgium, expanding its Izegem edible oils bottling and Mouscron gourmet chocolate capacity, plus adding a new extrusion pilot plant at Vilvoorde to boost foodservice and innovation. Animal Health & Biosecurity: Serbia has won its first WOAH reference laboratory for lumpy skin disease of cattle, a boost for veterinary capacity as the disease resurfaces in parts of Europe. Biodiversity on Farms: Ireland kicks off the Great Big All-Ireland Hedgehog Count (from June 8), urging people to report sightings in gardens, farms and green spaces as hedgehog numbers are believed to be declining across Europe. Food Safety at the Border: US officials seized 337 hatching eggs in Cincinnati after finding improper documentation, with the shipment linked to Germany and subject to avian influenza import rules. EU–Agriculture Trade Pressure: Armenia’s EU push is colliding with Russia-linked market restrictions, with new support programs for exporters and warnings about knock-on costs for farmers and supply chains.

EU Trade: The European Parliament’s trade committee backed a compromise to implement the EU–US deal, including tariff cuts on U.S. industrial goods and some agricultural products, as lawmakers race to finish before July 4. Food Prices & Tariffs: The Fairtrade Foundation warned that a UK temporary tariff cut on over 100 food items could hit farming pay in cocoa-growing countries. Climate Risk: The WMO says El Niño is forming with an 80% chance between June–August, and climate change could amplify its heat, drought and flood impacts. Animal Health: Cyprus farmers accepted culling after foot-and-mouth disease was detected, with compensation increased to end protests. Armenia–Russia Trade: Russia’s phytosanitary watchdog restricted Armenian stone fruits and grapes imports, while Armenia’s government pledged support for exporters facing sanctions-related losses. Dairy: The EU cleared the Arla–DMK dairy merger, setting up a major shake-up in European milk markets. Agri-Tech & Weather: A CSU–Nvidia AI system aims to forecast severe hail 2–3 hours ahead, targeting damage to crops and farm infrastructure. Water Safety: South West Water was fined nearly £2m after a cryptosporidium outbreak left thousands of homes with unsafe drinking water.

Vitiforestry in France’s vineyards: Northern Rhône growers are trialling “vitiforestry” by mixing vines with maples and fruit trees to buffer heat, drought and violent weather, with some farms also bringing back sheep and bees. Northern Ireland waste warning: An MLA warns of a “costly catastrophe” as only two landfill sites still take household waste, while Northern Ireland exports a large share of residual waste for incineration abroad. Asian hornet watch in France: Cold, wet spring conditions may have reduced survival, but a late heatwave could reverse fortunes; experts say it’s still too early to predict summer nest numbers. UK energy security and drones: Campaigners and MPs warn the UK could create no-fly zones over critical power infrastructure as hostile drones raise blackout risks. Spain potato heat stress: Heatwave conditions are pressuring Spain’s potato sector, threatening the new season’s production. Tunisia olive oil exports up: Olive oil exports in the first half of the season jumped 49.2%, with Europe taking 56.5% of volumes. EU dairy consolidation: Arla and DMK’s merger is moving forward after EU clearance, reshaping Europe’s biggest dairy co-op. Fertiliser cost relief for Spain: The EU cleared a €500m state aid scheme to offset higher fertiliser prices for farmers.

EU Animal Welfare: The EU has approved new rules to tighten traceability and welfare standards for cats and dogs, including mandatory identification and registration across the market, with tougher requirements for breeders and online ads. EU Dairy: The EU cleared the Arla–DMK dairy merger, paving the way for a larger European dairy co-op footprint. Generational Gap in Farming: A new push backed by EIT Food targets the succession crisis, aiming to support next-generation farmers as only about 11% of EU farm managers are under 40. Climate & Food Security: UN-linked forecasts warn Europe and beyond face harsher heat and drought risks, raising pressure on yields and food resilience. Spain Crops Under Heat: Reports point to record heat stressing Spain’s potato sector and threatening the new season, alongside wider weather-driven production concerns. UK Food System Warning: UK experts warn the country is “sleepwalking” into a food crisis as climate shocks, costs and fragile supply chains squeeze availability and affordability. Armenia–Russia Trade Tensions: Armenian opposition leaders say Russian import bans could hit agriculture exports and remittances, as Armenia weighs closer EU ties against reliance on Russia.

Foot-and-mouth crisis: A young farmer in the UK lost 11 goats after they were caught in an FMD “red zone,” where any stray livestock is culled to protect access to the EU market. Severe weather alerts: Serbia’s hydrometeorological institute warned of unstable conditions with heavy downpours, thunderstorms and hail, with orange warnings expected as cold fronts move through the Balkans. Wildfire impacts: A new study says 2025’s “quiet” global fire year still brought devastating losses in places like Scotland, Spain and Portugal, highlighting how land-use change can reduce burned area while real damage remains high. EU trade and food links: India-Oman CEPA takes effect June 1 with duty-free access for many Indian farm and processed food products, including honey, dairy and frozen fish—another reminder of how market access rules shape agriculture. Farmers opening up: The UK’s Open Farm Sunday returns June 7 with 250+ farms welcoming the public, pushing food security and nature-friendly farming as key messages.

EU Sanctions on Hamas Leaders: The EU Council sanctioned senior Hamas political bureau figures and four West Bank Jewish groups, saying the Politburo leaders bear responsibility for violence linked to Hamas’ military wing. Heat Stress on Farms: A week of extreme heat across Europe is hitting egg quality and fruit size, while water scarcity is worsening crop stress and raising the risk of lower yields and poorer food quality. UK Weather Shock: Britain faces a shift from record May heat to heavy rain, with warnings that extreme heat could also drive future blackout risk as the grid struggles to cope. EU Renewable Energy Clash: Portugal is moving to allow renewable projects to override environmental agency vetoes in “national interest” cases, a move that could affect contested mega solar plans. Czech Agrofert Subsidies: Czech Justice Minister says potentially illegal Agrofert subsidy payments must be recovered, after EU concerns over PM Babiš conflict of interest. Food Security Warning: FAO warns that disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz could deepen global food insecurity in 2026-27 via higher fertiliser and seed costs.

Climate & Heat Stress: Europe is facing record May temperatures and a “heat dome” pattern, with warnings that heat is already killing more people than car crashes and that climate change scepticism is muddying the response. Livestock Policy: Denmark is set to introduce a tax on livestock emissions from 2030, alongside wider “green tripartite” plans to cut nitrogen losses and expand land set aside for climate, nature and water goals. Fertiliser Pressure: Spain is pushing for billions in EU support to ease fertiliser shocks, while EU moves aim to cut fertiliser costs and reduce reliance on Russian supply. Dairy & Market Moves: The EU has cleared the Arla–DMK mega dairy merger, setting up a new scale player in European dairy. Food Safety & Trade: Armenia’s food safety authority published initial results from joint inspections with Russia’s Rosselkhoznadzor, clearing some Armenian fish and plant/livestock shipments for Russian import. Agri-Environment Tech: A Denmark-led approach is also being echoed by new trials mapping farm biodiversity using AI birdsong monitoring.

Food Security Push (EU): Ireland is urged to make food security a top priority during its EU presidency, as hunger risks and affordability pressures keep rising. Dairy & Protein Market Shift (Ireland/EU): Irish dairy groups are positioned to benefit from a surge in whey protein isolate prices, with sports nutrition demand boosting high-protein ingredients as traditional dairy faces oversupply. Dairy Consolidation (EU): The EU has cleared Arla’s merger with DMK and DOC, paving the way for a larger European dairy group. Fertiliser Cost Relief (Spain/EU): Spain is seeking billions for EU farmers to ease the fertiliser shock, while the Commission also approved major state aid packages tied to higher fertiliser and fuel prices. Livestock Crisis & Protests (UK/Ireland): Foot-and-mouth concerns are driving farmer protests and street action, with livestock producers calling for urgent talks. Climate Pressure on Farms (Europe): A record-breaking spring heatwave is intensifying pressure on European agriculture, from wildfire risk to crop and productivity uncertainty. Research for Farm Health (EU/Global): Tick-transmission research points to new ways to block disease spread affecting people and livestock.

Sustainable Protein Push: Imperial College London formally opened the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein labs at White City, aiming to make microbial and fermentation-based foods cheaper and scalable, with facilities spanning strain selection, scale-up, quality testing and commercialisation. Beef Market Pressure: Irish beef farmers say they’re being squeezed by a widening retail-to-farm price gap, while processors warn demand is weakening across key export markets and argue the supply chain isn’t working. EU-Russia Tensions in Focus: The Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union says it may suspend Armenia later this year over its EU ambitions, citing “economic security” risks and urging a referendum ahead of Armenia’s June 7 election. Heat and Food Risk: A new wave of extreme heat across Europe is highlighted as a growing climate reality, with knock-on risks for agriculture, rural livelihoods and resilience planning. Rural Connectivity for Farms: Ireland’s National Broadband Ireland connected Swinford to high-speed fibre, extending coverage to rural homes and farms in Mayo under the National Broadband Plan. Renewables Debate: Local opposition is mounting against proposed large wind turbines near Leitrim/Fermanagh, with residents citing impacts on bog landscapes, noise and shadow flicker.

EU Food Safety Overhaul: Sri Lanka has tightened agricultural export controls after EU regulators flagged excessive pesticide residues, making SL-GAP certification mandatory for fresh produce bound for the EU and restricting handling to registered exporters. CAP and Budget Pressure: Ireland’s Fine Gael is pushing for a standalone CAP with payments indexed to inflation, plus simpler delivery under the next EU budget, as ministers and capitals debate how much cohesion and farm support should be protected. Fertiliser Cost Relief: The EU Commission has cleared €15m in French state aid for agriculture and aquaculture facing higher fuel costs, while Spain also secured €500m to offset fertiliser price pressure. Farm Fraud Crackdown: Greece continues to reel from EU farm subsidy fraud, with police arrests tied to the OPEKEPE case and prosecutors pursuing suspects in Athens. Trade and Value-Chain Shift: South Africa’s zero-tariff access to China is driving more than volume growth, pushing apple and pear exporters toward premium varieties, tighter quality control, and brand-focused strategies. Climate Risk Training: More than 7,700 farmers have been trained in climate risk financial management, building resilience through practical planning for extreme weather impacts.

EU Trade & Imports: EU commissioners are set for crunch talks on new restrictions on Chinese imports, with “China Shock 2.0” fears tied to cheaper overproduction hitting EU markets, including food and agriculture-linked inputs. Climate Risk for Farming: A new study warns a warmer world will bring bigger, more damaging hail—hailstorms producing large stones could rise 38%-47% by century’s end—raising costs and resilience concerns for European agriculture. UK-EU Ag Rules: Britain is seeking a carve-out for gene editing in the EU agrifood SPS agreement, with precision breeding still under ongoing UK-EU negotiations. EU Food Safety: The EU Council adopted a position to simplify and strengthen food and feed safety requirements, aiming to reduce friction while tightening standards. Water & Rivers: Europe continues removing barriers to restore rivers, with 603 removed across 21 countries in 2025, supporting EU river restoration goals that matter for farm water and ecosystems. Fertiliser Pressure: EU moves to cut fertilizer costs and reduce reliance on Russian supply, as war-linked disruptions keep squeezing farm budgets.

EU Food Safety Update: The EU Council adopted a position to simplify and strengthen food-and-feed safety requirements, aiming to make rules clearer across the bloc. CAP & Fertiliser Pressure: EU ministers discussed ways to tackle fertiliser costs and reduce reliance on Russian supply, including moves to cut fertilizer tariffs for a year and look at unused CAP Pillar II money for support. Beef Market Strain: In Ireland, farmer beef prices fell sharply (down over 10% year-on-year) while factory sale prices moved less, raising pressure on margins and prompting talk of further cuts. Heatwave Risk to Farms: Britain is being warned it’s “sleepwalking into a food crisis” as extreme heat, dry spring conditions and higher input costs threaten yields and livestock welfare. Water Resilience Playbook: A new framework was released to help companies map and reduce water risks across agricultural supply chains, aligning with EU sustainability reporting expectations. Agri Innovation Link-Up: Canada’s AgSphere partnered with EIT Food to speed up agri-food innovation and help start-ups access European markets, starting with a delegation to Warsaw. Fraud & Enforcement: Greece saw more arrests tied to an EU farm subsidy fraud scandal, as prosecutors continue tightening oversight.

EU pesticide rules update: EU governments agreed the “Omnibus X” package to simplify pesticide procedures and make it easier to use drones for targeted spraying, while keeping EU standards for food and feed safety and health. EU farm fraud crackdown: European prosecutors filed serious charges over 22 arrests in an OPEKEPE subsidy fraud case, as Greece continues tightening enforcement. Animal health alert (Ireland): A new bluetongue case (serotype 3) was detected in a bullock in Co Tipperary, with warmer weather boosting virus replication risk. Fertiliser cost relief: EU moves to suspend fertiliser import duties for one year to cut costs and reduce reliance on Russian supply, amid ongoing pressure on farm margins. Trade and agriculture access: EU governments advanced legislation for a US trade deal that includes easier access for agricultural and marine products, with Parliament still to give final approval. Heatwave pressure on farming: Record-breaking spring heat across Europe is driving health warnings and raising concerns for drought and crop impacts.

Heatwave Pressure on Farms and Workers: France is warning outdoor work is unsafe after a record-breaking May heat dome pushed temperatures to summer levels, with similar restrictions spreading across Europe as the week looks set to stay brutally hot. Renewables vs Local Land Use: In Ireland, residents near Manorhamilton are objecting to plans for 14 wind turbines up to 185m, arguing the scale and siting will overwhelm local landscapes. EU Climate and Energy Push: Spain unveiled a €9bn Social Climate Plan aimed at cutting bills and emissions while expanding renewables and cheaper public transport. Aquaculture Scale-Up: A Stirling fish-vaccination specialist (Sgorran) signed a manufacturing deal to expand production of its Inoca machines via PP Control & Automation in the West Midlands. Food Security Context: Lebanon joined the Mine Ban Treaty, a reminder that cleared land can be as vital to farming recovery as weather and markets.

Fertiliser pressure hits EU farms: At an EU Council agriculture meeting, Luxembourg’s Martine Hansen warned fertiliser costs are squeezing farm businesses and pushed for faster EU action to secure supply and cut dependence on imports. EU policy tightening: The bloc also moved on wine rules, enforcing new labelling standards and clearer definitions for low-/no-alcohol products. Capital bottleneck for machinery: BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions says “locked capital” in owned equipment is constraining European farm investment, with many leaders wanting to shift money into sustainability and R&D but lacking flexibility. Biodiversity vs livelihoods: Czech and other EU states backed a cull of great cormorants, arguing numbers are driving excessive fish consumption and economic damage—sparking conservation pushback. Ongoing geopolitics: The week’s broader food-security worry remains tied to Middle East shipping risk around the Strait of Hormuz, with FAO warning decisions now will shape 2026-27 outcomes.