The European Commission’s 2026 Work Programme, titled “Europe’s Independence Moment”, sets out a comprehensive political and legislative agenda aimed at strengthening Europe’s autonomy in various sectors and its competitiveness. Building on President von der Leyen’s 2025 State of the Union address and consultations with Member States and the European Parliament, the programme is structured around priorities such as sustainable prosperity, social cohesion, food security, and the green transition.
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In terms of sustainability, there is continuity with the European Green Deal, though stronger emphasis is placed on economic resilience and strategic independence. The initiatives under this policy area aim to promote circular products, sustainable manufacturing, and efficient use of raw materials while strengthening industrial competitiveness.
Agriculture and food systems are explicitly recognized as essential for Europe’s resilience and quality of life. The Commission promises measures to reinforce farmers’ competitiveness and simplify agricultural rules. Key actions include a revision of unfair trading practices in the food chain and a new livestock strategy focusing on resilience, sustainability, and animal welfare. These initiatives build on the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture and underline the Commission’s intent to strengthen rural communities, guarantee fair producer prices and align EU agri-food diplomacy with global sustainability standards.
Environmental management also features prominently through the implementation of the Water Resilience Strategy and the creation of a Water Resilience Platform to drive efficiency, digital innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. Soil protection, while not highlighted through a standalone legislative act, is indirectly supported through measures promoting sustainable land management, rural competitiveness, ecosystem protection and progressing on the implementation of the Soil Monitoring Law adopted in October 2025. Furthermore, amongst the legislations that will be evaluated by the Commission next year is the FertilizingProducts Regulation, the result of which could be significant for the agri-food sector.
Overall, the 2026 Work Programme shows a shift from climate ambition to implementation and independence. It integrates sustainability into industrial, agricultural and trade policies, with a strong focus on competitiveness and simplification. In particular, the Commission’s emphasis on fair value chains, circular materials and resilient natural resources will influence key developments in the agri-food and fertilizer industries throughout the next year.
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• For further information on the work programme visit: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0870&qid=1761126156157