A joint declaration from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, submitted as an 'Any Other Business' item for the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting on 13 July 2026, calls for more effective management of agricultural crisis situations within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) framework and in the wider context. The document, presented by Hungary on behalf of the seven member states, references interinstitutional file 2025/0241 (COD) and covers agriculture, agrifinance, finance, budget framework, codecision, environment, and forestry.
The declaration, dated 7 July 2026, urges the Council and the European Commission to strengthen crisis management tools under the CAP, arguing that current mechanisms are insufficient to address the increasing frequency and severity of market disruptions and extreme weather events affecting farmers. The signatories—all Central and Eastern European countries—stress the need for a more flexible and responsive framework that can quickly deploy financial support and market interventions without lengthy bureaucratic procedures.
While the declaration does not propose specific legislative changes, it signals growing pressure from a bloc of member states for a more proactive EU role in agricultural crisis management. The initiative comes as the Commission is reviewing the CAP's performance and considering adjustments to the post-2027 policy framework. The seven countries are likely to seek support from other member states during the Council debate, potentially influencing the direction of future CAP reforms.
EU farmers in the signatory countries could benefit from faster and more substantial crisis support, improving income stability. National authorities in those states would gain greater flexibility to activate emergency measures. However, the call for a more interventionist CAP may face resistance from net contributor countries concerned about budget implications and market distortions. The European Commission will need to balance these demands with its broader objectives of sustainability and market orientation in the CAP.
The declaration will be discussed at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 13 July 2026. The Commission is expected to take note of the member states' concerns and may incorporate them into its ongoing CAP review. No immediate legislative action is anticipated, but the declaration could shape the political debate ahead of the next CAP reform cycle.