AGP Executive Report

Wildfires and drought hit southern Europe: Spain and France are still battling fast-moving megafires amid extreme heat. In Spain near Madrid, evacuations reached about 79,000, while France saw more than 200,000 people forced to flee; firefighters say controlling the blazes is increasingly impossible, shifting focus to saving lives and protecting towns. Farm viability and generational renewal: Ireland’s ICSA warns that “no meaningful generational renewal” will happen without viable family farms and decent farm incomes, pushing for the next CAP to put farm viability at the centre rather than adding obligations. Food security funding debate: In the Philippines, farm and fisheries groups backed government support but questioned whether subsidies can be sustained under fiscal pressure. AMR spotlight: A report highlights how antibiotic resistance spreads beyond hospitals, including through wastewater systems—an issue with clear links to farm and environment health. EU agriculture-adjacent policy: Cyprus’ UN-led peace talks are set to restart with a new 5-plus-1 format, aiming to build confidence measures—relevant for regional stability and land use planning.

Wildfire Crisis in France & Spain: Western Europe’s heat and drought have driven fast-moving megafires, with France evacuating hundreds of thousands near Bordeaux and Spain forcing large-scale departures as conditions worsen. Forest Management & Prevention: In France, scrutiny is rising over undergrowth clearance rules and how maintenance is handled around power lines, as authorities push for prevention-first approaches. Water & Transport Shock: Record-low Danube levels in Hungary are halting or cutting back shipping, raising costs and hitting agricultural export logistics. Smart Farming Rollouts: 1NCE and Pessl Instruments are expanding a connected weather-station network for farmers across 80+ countries to improve irrigation and fertilizer decisions. EU Farm Payments Probe: The EPPO has charged Greek politicians and officials over alleged CAP fraud involving inspections and false certifications. Breeding & Seeds: Wild Bio has acquired F1 Seed to build an end-to-end UK wheat breeding business aimed at resilient varieties. UK Poultry Planning Fight: A proposed large broiler site in North Yorkshire faces major local opposition over welfare and environmental impacts.

Wildfire Fallout for Farms: Spain’s Madrid region livestock owners are rushing fodder into fire zones after blazes threatened cattle left behind, as the government declares a national emergency over tens of thousands of hectares burned. Wildfire Pressure on Food & Rural Life: In France, evacuations around Bordeaux’s Cap Ferret and across the Atlantic coast are disrupting livelihoods and threatening forests and farmland, with officials warning the coming weeks will be “tough.” Water Stress Hits Agriculture: In drought-struck Brittany, volunteers and fisheries groups are moving trout and young salmon downstream because rivers are too low and warm for survival. EU Policy & Climate Planning: Spain’s Council of Ministers approved a scientific panel to support climate-change policy, as wildfires and record heat intensify across the country. Livestock Monitoring Tech: New funding is accelerating AI livestock monitoring in Europe, driven by animal welfare rules and labor shortages. Trade & Farm Rules: A global cocoa trade compact highlights how upcoming EU deforestation enforcement could reshape sourcing and compliance for European buyers.

Wildfire Crisis in Southwest France: France says a “monster” blaze near Bordeaux has stopped growing after forcing 220,000 evacuations, but officials warn the fight is far from over as woodlands smoulder and another heatwave looms. Cross-Border Fire Support: Türkiye has sent two firefighting aircraft to help France, citing shared responsibility as Europe’s fires intensify. Heatwave Pressure on Firefighting: France braces for its fourth major heatwave of the year, with forecasts up to 42C later this week, raising the risk of new blazes. EU Food Trade Watch: Brazil says it is awaiting technical confirmation from the European Commission on antimicrobial rules that could affect future meat export authorisations. Agriculture Policy & Compliance: The EU’s livestock strategy is backed by an EU committee, but calls for stronger funding signal pressure on how quickly farmers can adapt. Legal/Regulatory Spillover: Spain’s Supreme Court has admitted appeals over a potash project concession, keeping administrative uncertainty around northern Spain mining—an indirect reminder of how permits can stall rural investment.

Wildfire Crisis in France & Spain: France’s President Macron called the blazes the country’s worst since WWII as evacuations top 220,000 near Bordeaux and a new heatwave threatens firefighting; Spain is also battling record-scale fires with tens of thousands displaced, and experts warn the full bill will run into billions once ecosystem and agricultural losses are counted. Food Security Pressure: The UN FAO says geopolitical shocks, climate risks and rising costs are leaving tens of millions in Europe and Central Asia unable to afford a healthy diet, shifting the focus from “enough food” to “affordable nutrition.” Livestock & Food Safety: UK researchers report a 100-fold rise in campylobacter in commercial chickens over 35 years, raising concerns for public health as factory farming expands. Trade & Agriculture Politics: Russia has banned imports of Armenian agricultural products, and Putin urged Armenia to hold an EU-membership referendum—while Armenia seeks relief from export restrictions. CAP & EU Policy Debate: EU CAP cuts are sparking warnings about consolidation and funding gaps, with Brussels defending the reductions as governments won’t pay more.

Wildfire Crisis in France: Macron called a crisis meeting as wildfires threaten Bordeaux, with no new evacuations overnight but bans on camps for children and people with disabilities as temperatures are forecast to surge. Heatwave Impact on Work and Food: A UK study links June’s heatwave to major lost working hours and notes agriculture as among the sectors hit hardest. Fire “Cloud” Warning: Experts describe a rare “fire cloud” over Bordeaux that can generate its own winds and lightning, making blazes harder to control. Agrifood Export Push (Georgia): Georgia agreed to set up a permanent public-private platform to boost agrifood exports to the EU, aiming to meet food-safety and certification requirements. Drought and Water Stress: Coverage highlights Europe’s worsening drought and the knock-on risks for farming, water supplies and local economies. EU Trade Sanctions (Fur): EU member states lifted a ban on Russian sable fur imports, a move driven by limited alternative sourcing for luxury manufacturers. Food Quality Scrutiny: Testing and reporting point to mismatches between labels and lab results, raising concerns about imported food checks.

Wildfire Crisis: France and Spain are in the grip of extreme wildfires, with evacuations topping 200,000 in the Bordeaux area and Spain reporting tens of thousands forced to flee; Pope Leo XIV urged prayers for victims and firefighters as blazes spread under scorching, dry conditions. Water & Soil Protection: A new community-led scheme is ramping up monitoring and action to improve water quality in the River Itchen chalk stream, using more frequent testing and volunteer sampling to tackle nutrient spikes and runoff. Fertiliser Relief: France is preparing a €147m fertiliser price support package, with EU crisis-reserve money plus national funding, and payouts expected to start via an application portal next month. Agri-Policy & Food Safety: France is also facing scrutiny over hidden toxins in food, while broader EU food-safety and origin-truth concerns continue to surface across markets.

PFAS/food safety: The EU food safety watchdog (EFSA) has sharply cut the “safe” daily intake benchmark for TFA, a PFAS “forever chemical” found in drinking water, resetting exposure limits after a review of newer health data. Wildfires & farm risk: Spain and France are still dealing with major wildfire evacuations, with France’s Cap Ferret peninsula under threat and Spain declaring a state of emergency as fires disrupt homes and rural areas. Pesticides & pollinators: In France, beekeepers and environmental groups are furious after parliament approved waivers that would allow two bee-harming pesticides under exceptional conditions. UK supply resilience: Sainsbury’s is expanding long-term contracts for British tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers to protect shelves from drought-driven crop shocks. Climate pressure on crops: Reports warn extreme heat and drought are tightening across Europe, raising risks for yields, water supplies and farming livelihoods.

Wildfire Crisis in Southern Europe: France and Spain are in the thick of a fast-moving wildfire emergency, with heat, drought and shifting winds driving evacuations and damage to farmland and homes. France says about 197,000 people have been evacuated, with Gironde alone seeing 167,000 departures and nearly 98,000 hectares burned since the start of the year; Spain has declared a national emergency near Madrid, with 70,000 evacuated and 20,000 told to stay indoors due to smoke. EU Solidarity and Response: France’s president says “this is Europe” as international reinforcements are mobilised, including aircraft and support from several EU countries, while the government warns conditions could worsen again. UK Farm Pressure: In Britain, Jeremy Clarkson says farming is becoming “impossible” to make money from, pointing to rising costs and policy pressure, and noting he left land unplanted to avoid losses. Dairy Trade Shock: Swiss cheesemakers are hunting new export markets after US tariff moves hit demand, with producers pushing sales across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. EU Protein Shift: The EU’s protein plan is pushing more plant-based options for feeding farm animals, aiming to reshape livestock diets and supply chains. Farm Safety and Soil Focus: Coverage also highlights ongoing work on soil management and farm safety, as well as new research and monitoring projects for agriculture.

Wildfire Crisis: Massive wildfires are tearing through Spain and France, forcing evacuations of about 200,000 people, including thousands around Bordeaux and the Cap Ferret peninsula, with some residents fleeing by boat as authorities ask the EU for help. Heat & Water Stress: The same extreme heat is also drying rivers and stressing ecosystems, with volunteers in France moving fish to save them as waterways run dangerously low. Drought’s Farm Hit: Europe’s heatwave conditions are pushing crop yields down and raising pressure on food supplies, while dairy producers report tighter milk output and rising spot prices that still don’t fully reach farmgate levels. Livestock Policy Debate: Europe’s new livestock strategy is being framed as a resilience shift, but critics say it risks being more branding than real change for farmers. Animal Health & Biosecurity: NFU Scotland is calling for higher milk prices as supply tightens, and new concerns keep surfacing around animal health threats. Aquaculture U-turn: Spain’s Nueva Pescanova has shelved its planned commercial octopus farm after regulatory delays. Invasive Species: Northern Ireland is seeing a surge in giant hogweed reports, with children reportedly burned by the toxic plant.

Wildfire Crisis in Iberia & France: Massive wildfires in southwestern France and central Spain have triggered evacuations of about 87,000 people, including thousands from the Cap Ferret peninsula by boat; firefighters report dozens of injuries as flames spread near Bordeaux and Madrid, with Spain arresting a man accused of starting a blaze with a farm vehicle. Heat, Drought & Farming Pressure: Climate-driven drought and extreme heat are worsening across Europe, raising wildfire risk and threatening crops and water supplies, with reports pointing to major agricultural losses and stressed river systems. EU Ag Policy & Land Rules: Moldova is moving to make state aid rules more transparent and predictable, while Ireland’s offshore wind planning is expected to advance “in the short term” (relevant for rural energy and land-use planning). Seed Security: South Korea’s Rural Development Administration is expanding its Global Seed Vault work, protecting hundreds of thousands of vegetable seed types through international partnerships. Farm Tax Relief Tightening: New proposals in Europe consider restricting land purchases by non-farmers tied to agricultural relief rules, aiming to protect family farms while keeping benefits for active farming.

Wildfire Response: France ordered a total evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula as a major Atlantic wildfire kept spreading, with 8,700 hectares already burned and EU Civil Protection support requested, including aircraft and helicopters from several countries. Heat & Water Stress: Across Europe, repeated heatwaves are intensifying drought, drying vegetation and straining water supplies—raising the risk for more large-scale fires and damaging farming conditions. Animal Health Breakthrough: A bovine TB vaccine is moving a step closer after successful farm trials in England and Wales, using a DIVA skin test to distinguish vaccinated cattle from true infections—an approach aimed at protecting trade and surveillance. Farm Inputs & Costs: UK potato growers warn that reliable water access and storage investment are critical as extreme weather swings between drought and heavy rain threaten yields and quality. Market Signals: Dairy prices rose for the first time in a month, while broader crop outlooks remain mixed as heat and drought pressure European production. Policy & Trade Tensions: The US imposed new forced-labour-related tariffs on 60 partners, including the EU, adding uncertainty for food and agricultural supply chains.

Heat & Wildfires: More than 20,000 people were evacuated across southern Europe as temperatures topped 44C, with major fires reported in Sicily and near Bordeaux in France, while Spain and France face continued high risk. Animal Health Watch: Spain’s Galicia detected a new focus of bluetongue serotype 8 in bovines in Lugo, following earlier 2026 positives and renewed calls for voluntary vaccination. EU Funding & Resilience: The European Commission approved a €931,014 advance payment to Malta from the EU Solidarity Fund for Storm Harry recovery, with wider EUSF advances also covering Portugal and Spain. Food Security Shock: Shipping firms suspended services to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports after Russian attacks, raising concerns for global grain flows during peak harvest. Market Signals (Cocoa): Cocoa prices slid amid weak demand and abundant supply, with European grindings down and port shipments from West Africa up. Policy & Trade: EFSA cut the acceptable daily intake for trifluoroacetic acid linked to thyroid hormone changes, while France’s farm pesticide debate continues to roil politics.

Heat & Crops: Europe’s drought crisis is deepening fast, with extreme heat damaging grain and maize and already cutting production forecasts by millions of tons—Coceral estimates about 9m tons lost after June’s heat spike, with France and Hungary hit hardest. Livestock Decline: EU livestock numbers keep sliding: cattle are down to 71.6m head in 2025 (down ~10% since 2015), alongside big falls in pigs, sheep and goats—raising fresh questions about CAP’s link to real food output. CAP Succession & Gender: Ireland’s CAP debate is pushing for more on farm succession and women in farming, with an EPA-backed idea to use private finance to fund “reduced farming activity” and nature restoration tied to successors. Farm Labour Scrutiny: Italy faces renewed scrutiny after four migrant farm workers were killed in Calabria, spotlighting the persistent exploitation risks tied to “caporalato” recruitment networks. Food Safety Alert (UK): Britain’s food chain is on alert after Graham’s Family Dairy recalled semi-skimmed milk over veterinary antibiotics (including penicillin) found in affected batches. Policy Shock (France): France’s environment minister quit over a controversial emergency farm bill that would allow restricted use of contested pesticides, reigniting the bee-safety fight. Water Stress (UK): Hosepipe bans are spreading as drought bites, while researchers link cleaner air and reduced pollution particles to more intense heatwaves. Market Signals (UK Sheep): Summer lamb prices hold up on tighter supply and demand, with prime lamb averaging higher than last year.

Heat & Wildfires: Spain’s wildfire crisis keeps worsening, with burned area now put at about 123,000 hectares and major blazes still driving evacuations and political debate over prevention and climate policy. Arson Probe: In southern Italy, investigators say arsonists used cats with flammable rags tied to their tails to spread fires, adding to a grim pattern of human-caused blazes. Pesticide Politics (France): France’s environment minister Monique Barbut offered to resign over a bill that reintroduces previously banned “bee-harming” pesticides; President Macron refused the resignation, citing climate urgency. Farm Support (Slovakia): Sugar beet growers in Slovakia will receive €12.48m in 2026 coupled support, lifting the per-hectare payment to €632.80. Food Prices Pressure (Europe): Reports link Europe’s heatwave to fears of higher food prices, with crop losses estimated at around €2bn. Armenian Fish Exports: Armenian fish farmers protest export delays and say EU market access remains blocked, citing about 15,000 tons of live fish at stake.

Pesticide Uproar in France: Environment minister Monique Barbut resigned after French MPs backed an emergency farm bill that temporarily reintroduces bee-harming pesticides (acetamiprid and flupyradifurone), despite a prior constitutional court block and a 2m-signature petition. Wildfire and Drought Pressure: Extreme heat is driving major wildfires across Spain and France, with evacuations and fatalities reported, while drought is also forcing water restrictions in England. Legal Fight Over Meat Expansion: Greenpeace has petitioned a Dutch court to force JBS to disclose details on its $6bn expansion plan, including major funding for Nigeria, as part of a broader climate/nature/human-rights challenge. EU Fertiliser Security: A new analysis says EU phosphate rock imports from Russia rose in value in H1 2026, underlining Europe’s continued dependence on imported fertiliser inputs. UK Harvest Worries: UK farmers warn the next 10 days of weather could decide whether food shortages later in 2026 can be avoided, as rainfall remains extremely low. Livestock Tech Push: Kenya launched a digital animal identification and traceability system (ANITRAC) to strengthen animal health, boost meat exports, and meet international requirements.