The Council of the European Union (Agriculture and Fisheries) is scheduled to meet on 13 July 2026 in Brussels to discuss a range of agricultural and fisheries policy issues, including the EU Livestock Strategy and Protein Plan, women in agriculture, and trade-related agricultural matters, according to a provisional agenda published on 10 July 2026.
The meeting, set to begin at 10:00 in the Europa building, will open with the adoption of the agenda and approval of non-legislative and legislative lists. The Presidency will present its work programme, followed by a Commission presentation and exchange of views on the EU Livestock Strategy and Protein Plan, drawing on documents 11527/26, 11376/26+ADD1, and 11410/26. Ministers will then hold an exchange of views on women in agriculture, based on document 11334/1/26 REV1. Trade-related agricultural issues will be addressed through a Commission information session and exchange of views (13373/26).
Under any other business, Hungary will inform ministers about the emerald ash borer situation (11619/26). Italy will provide information on the Commission’s draft 2027 Work Programme for agri-food promotion (11598/26). Several member states—Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia—will present a joint declaration on agricultural crisis management (11605/26). A separate joint declaration on bioeconomy and weather extremes, from Hungary, Croatia, Czechia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, will also be presented (11604/26).
The Presidency has proposed a public debate under Article 8(2) of the Council’s Rules of Procedure, though the specific topic is not detailed in the agenda.
Stakeholder impact The discussions carry implications for several groups. EU livestock farmers and protein crop producers face potential shifts in regulatory and support frameworks depending on the strategy’s direction, balancing environmental goals with competitiveness. Women in agriculture, a historically underrepresented group, may benefit from targeted policy measures if the exchange of views leads to concrete initiatives. EU agri-food exporters could be affected by trade-related discussions, particularly if new market access or tariff issues arise. National agricultural authorities will need to align domestic policies with any emerging EU-level commitments, especially on crisis management and bioeconomy.
Institutional follow-up No formal decisions are expected from this non-legislative meeting. The Commission may use the exchanges to refine its legislative proposals, while the Presidency will report outcomes to the Council. The public debate, if held, could signal political priorities for upcoming legislative work. The next formal Council decision-making session on agriculture and fisheries is expected later in the year.