At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council press conference on 26 May 2026, Cyprus Presidency Minister Maria Panayiotou and Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen staked out different positions on agri-food trade safeguards, the impact of green transition costs on farmers, and origin labelling, while agreeing on fertiliser affordability and the need for rapid implementation.
Panayiotou stressed the importance of open trade but insisted on safeguards for sensitive sectors, notably in the context of the Mercosur agreement. Hansen, by contrast, emphasised expanding fair trade agreements, citing the modernised EU-Mexico deal and upcoming trade missions to Mexico and Thailand. On fertilisers, both backed short- and long-term measures, but Panayiotou highlighted affordability and strategic autonomy, while Hansen focused on legislative and budgetary delivery for quick support.
Panayiotou warned that costs must not burden farmers and urged assessment of CBAM and ETS effects, which Hansen did not address directly. On origin labelling, Hansen defended the CMO route under the Buy European Food Initiative, rejecting broad ministerial opposition and insisting on workability for processors. Regarding Hungary's ban on Ukrainian grain, Hansen opposed unilateral restrictions, favouring the EU's tariff-rate quota framework and dialogue.
Consensus emerged on fertiliser affordability, geopolitical resilience, and rapid implementation. Hansen called for doubling the agricultural reserve via the 12 June budget communication and offered CAP second-pillar flexibility to reallocate unused rural development funds, shielding first-pillar direct payments.
Next steps include the 12 June budget communication, November 2026 Mexico mission, and Thailand trade trip. Affected stakeholders: EU farmers face potential cost burdens from green transition policies; fertiliser producers may benefit from strategic autonomy measures; food processors could be impacted by origin labelling rules; and agri-food exporters stand to gain from new trade agreements.