The Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) of the Council of the European Union is scheduled to meet on 6 July 2026 at 10:00 in Brussels to adopt a regulation amending CAP strategic plans and horizontal regulations concerning fertilisers, according to a notice of meeting and provisional agenda published by the Council on 26 June 2026.
The meeting, to be held in the Justus Lipsius building in a 2+2 format, will also discuss the Presidency's work programme, delegated acts planned for the second half of 2026, a livestock strategy and protein plan, trade-related agricultural issues, and women in agriculture. The adoption of the fertiliser-related CAP amendment is listed as a non-discussion item, indicating it is expected to pass without debate. The committee will also decide to derogate from the eight-week period under Article 4 of Protocol 1 on national parliaments' role, a procedural step to expedite the legislative process.
Under discussion items, the Presidency will present its work programme for the second half of 2026, setting out priorities for agricultural policy. The Commission is scheduled to provide information on delegated acts planned for the same period, which will shape implementation details of the Common Agricultural Policy. A Commission presentation on the Livestock Strategy and Protein Plan will prepare for a Council debate, addressing sustainability and competitiveness in the livestock sector. Trade-related agricultural issues, including market access and export competition, will also be discussed in preparation for a Council debate. Additionally, the committee will prepare for a Council debate on women in agriculture, focusing on gender equality and rural development.
The meeting follows the 1776th SCA meeting, whose summary record (document 10824/26) will be adopted as a non-discussion item. The agenda also includes any other business, specifically the organisation of future work.
Stakeholders impacted include EU farmers and agri-food businesses, who will face new fertiliser regulations under the CAP amendment, potentially affecting input costs and farming practices. National authorities of EU member states will be responsible for implementing the amended CAP strategic plans, requiring adjustments to their national programmes. EU consumers may see changes in food prices and sustainability standards linked to fertiliser use. Environmental NGOs will monitor the amendment's impact on soil health and water quality, as fertiliser regulation is a key lever for reducing agricultural pollution.
The adoption of the fertiliser amendment is a formal step in the legislative process, following earlier proposals from the European Commission. The SCA's decision will pave the way for the Council to formally adopt the regulation, after which it will enter into force. The discussions on livestock strategy, trade, and women in agriculture will feed into broader Council debates later in the year, shaping EU agricultural policy for the next programming period.