On 5 May 2026, the Commission presented the Food and Feed Safety Omnibus simplification package in a joint ENVI–AGRI meeting. Published on 16 December 2025, the proposals were referred to both committees under Rule 59. The Commission representative will outline the main elements of the package and its objectives. The package aims to simplify EU food and feed safety legislation while reducing administrative burdens for agri-food producers and national authorities. It includes amendments to a broad set of regulations and directives, notably on plant protection products, biocides, genetically modified food and feed, food additives, food contact material and animal health and welfare. Key elements extended or unlimited authorisation periods, and a strengthened role for EFSA in the authorisation procedures. The proposals also introduce stricter rules on maximum residue levels in imports and targeted changes on genetically modified microorganisms in food production. Additional measures cover increased flexibility in official controls and the use of drones for pesticide application. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP
On 5 May 2026, ENVI Members held an exchange of views with Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, responsible for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy. The discussion allowed Members to take stock of ongoing and upcoming legislative proposals, including the Industrial Accelerator Act and the Circular Economy Act.The exchange focused on reconciling industrial competitiveness with the EU's climate and environmental objectives under the Green Deal, including the transition to carbon neutrality. The discussion also allowed Members to follow up on the current state of play and future direction of the Executive Vice-President's portfolio within ENVI's remit, including the Circular Economy Act, Ecodesign, CBAM, the implementation of the Fit for 55 package, the ETS and Social Climate Fund, as well as the revision of REACH, work on PFAS and the Chemicals Package, and the Clean Industrial Deal. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP
On 5 May 2026, ENVI Members voted on the draft opinion on the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), proposed by the Commission in July 2025. The proposal establishes a single investment framework bringing together 14 existing EU funding instruments under one structure, organised across four thematic windows covering the clean transition, health and bioeconomy, digital leadership, and security and resilience. Following the tabling of 840 amendments, negotiations have resulted in fifteen compromise amendments that will be put to a vote. The compromise amendments aim to strengthen the alignment of the ECF with the Union's climate and sustainability objectives, as well as environmental protection, social fairness and resilience. For instance, they broaden the concept of competitiveness to include resilience to climate and environmental risks. In the clean transition window, support for LIFE actions and circular economy activities is reinforced, connecting environmental objectives to long-term economic resilience. Finally, amendments on governance enhance transparency, stakeholder inclusion, and monitoring of climate and environmental performance. The ENVI vote will be followed by a vote in the lead committee ITRE in September, a plenary vote in October and by negotiations with the Council to find an agreementSource : © European Union, 2026 - EP
On 4 May 2026 ENVI Members held an exchange of views with Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, as part of the structured dialogue. The exchange provided an opportunity to discuss key policy initiatives in public health, food safety, biotechnology, and animal welfare, as well as recent legislative proposals and ongoing files relevant to the Committee’s remit. Discussions covered key initiatives within the Commissioner's portfolio, including the Food and Feed Safety Simplification Package adopted in December 2025 and the European Biotech Act aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the health biotechnology and biomanufacturing sector. The exchange also provided an opportunity to follow up on developments in food safety legislation, including EFSA-related matters and new genomic techniques. Members may also address the strengthening of import controls, in particular the creation of a dedicated task force to oversee checks on products from third countries. In parallel, attention was given to upcoming initiatives, such as the planned revision of rules on unfair trading practices in the food chain, which is expected in the third quarter of 2026 under the Commission's work programme.Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP
On 4 May 2026, ENVI Members held an exchange of views with Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, as part of the structured dialogue. This exchange provided an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the current Commission Work Program and priorities for the coming months within his portfolio, including climate policy, industrial decarbonisation and international climate action. Discussions focused on ongoing and forthcoming initiatives, including the revision of the EU ETS, national climate targets and flexibilities, CBAM, CO₂ standards and the climate resilience package. The exchange also provided an opportunity to follow up on the state of play and outlook of the Commissioner's portfolio, which includes the implementation of the 2030 climate and energy framework, the proposed 2040 emission-reduction target, the development of a post-2030 climate policy framework, as well as how to strengthen EU Climate Diplomacy. Additionally, Members followed up on the Clean Industrial Deal and the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act, the mobilisation of investment through the Innovation Fund, the development of a Single Market for CO₂ transport and storage, as well as the work on a European Climate Adaptation Plan.Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP
On 5 May 2026, ENVI Members considered the the draft report on the future framework of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund (CF). The Commission’s proposal aims to simplify and green cohesion policy, while maintaining objectives of competitiveness, sustainable development, and reducing regional disparities. The rapporteur broadly supports the Commission's direction but proposes targeted adjustments. In particular, she stresses that funding should be more clearly targeted at areas where markets alone fail to deliver sufficient investment, such as biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience. She also emphasises that environmental and climate investments must deliver tangible, durable, and measurable results. To reduce implementation risks, the rapporteur recommends applying the 'do no significant harm' principle in a way that reflects Member States' economic, social, and territorial circumstances and administrative capacities, while minimising legal uncertainty, administrative burden, and delays to improve fund absorption and effectiveness. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP
On 5 May 2026, ENVI Members jointly considered the draft reports on amending the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and establishing a Temporary Decarbonisation Fund (TDF). The Commission proposal on CBAM seeks to extend the mechanism’s scope to downstream products and strengthen anti-circumvention measures, while the proposed TDF aims to support sectors exposed to carbon costs within a broader EU climate policy framework. The rapporteurs of both files broadly support the Commission's direction but propose targeted adjustments. On CBAM, the rapporteur endorses the scope extension while calling for stronger safeguards to ensure predictability.This includes the deletion of proposed provisions on unforeseen circumstances or an urgency procedure that could undermine the mechanism's predictability and a provision that would consider the inclusion of international carbon credits for the CBAM compliance. He also emphasises the need for a gradual expansion to indirect emissions and a more harmonised approach across Member States. On the TDF, the rapporteur advocates for strengthening the Fund by widening the eligibility to a specific category of downstream operators, ensuring a timelier delivery of support, and improving the Fund's predictability. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP
On 5 May 2026, ENVI Members considered the draft opinion on the Commission proposal revising the Trans-European Network for Energy (TEN-E) regulation. The proposal, adopted on 10 December 2025 as part of the European Grids Package, aims to streamline administrative procedures, including permitting procedures, and strengthen the development, resilience and interoperability of EU energy infrastructure. The proposal seeks to improve the planning and implementation of cross-border energy infrastructure by promoting a coordinated strategic approach between the EU and Member States. Building on the Draghi report, it emphasises the need to simplify permitting procedures while maintaining environmental safeguards. The Rapporteur in her draft opinion reaffirms the Union's climate and decarbonisation objectives and highlights, among other things, the importance of technological neutrality in order to facilitate the diversification of energy sources. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP
On 5 May 2026, ENVI and ECON Members held a joint exchange of views with the Commission on the implementation of the EU Taxonomy Regulation. Discussions focused on both the results of the sector-specific workshop series on the technical screening criteria, as well as two draft delegated acts.The EU Taxonomy Regulation establishes a common classification system for environmentally sustainable economic activities, aimed at improving transparency and guiding investment decisions. The Commission has been conducting a systematic review of all the Taxonomy's technical screening criteria, in particular the 'do no significant harm' criteria. As part of the review, a reality check in the form of a series of workshops was held in the second half of 2025. During the exchange of views, Members had the opportunity to enquire about the results of these workshops. Attention also turned to two draft delegated acts published in March 2026, proposing amendments to the Climate and Environmental delegated acts. The aim of these delegated acts is to address identified implementation challenges by clarifying and simplifying technical screening criteria. The exchange addressed their expected adoption timeline and the subsequent scrutiny phase by Parliament and Council.Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP
On 15 April 2026, the ENVI-PECH (CJ59) Committee voted on amendments and on the mandate to enter into interinstitutional negotiations on the proposal empowering France to accede to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles. The Commission presented its proposal on 17 November 2025 following a request submitted by France on 4 February 2025. The Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles is an intergovernmental treaty in force since 2001, which has 15 contracting parties and provides a legal framework for countries in the Americas to protect and conserve sea turtle populations and their habitats. The Convention promotes conservation measures based on scientific evidence, including fishing techniques and equipment, and requires compliance with international obligations such as CITES. As the matter covered fall under the EU's exclusive competence, France requires authorisation from the Union legislator before acceding. The Commission considered the accession consistent with EU policy on the protection of marine biological resources. The file was jointly attributed to the ENVI and PECH Committees, with a simplified procedure applied. A single compromise amendment confirming the accession has been agreed. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP