European Union agriculture ministers gave final approval on Monday to an emergency aid package designed to help farmers cope with soaring fertiliser costs, closing the legislative process on a proposal the European Commission tabled on 12 June 2026.
The measures adopted by the Council include a temporary liquidity scheme within the rural development framework that can be co-financed up to 65 percent by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, with member states allowed to add national funding of up to 200 percent. Governments may also advance direct payments to farmers and adjust allocations for 2027.
The package forms part of a broader Brussels response to the impact of the Middle East crisis on agricultural markets and is accompanied by a 300-million-euro reinforcement of the EU agricultural reserve from this year's budget. Spanish Agriculture Minister Luis Planas, arriving at the meeting, warned that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues to generate uncertainty over energy and input costs. The targeted amendments to the Common Agricultural Policy will now be published in the EU Official Journal and enter into force.