AREFLH is making progress in negotiations with Brussels

The Assembly of European Fruit, Vegetable, and Horticultural Regions (AREFLH) brought together representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, regional authorities, and producer organizations at the Emilia-Romagna delegation’s office in Brussels for its 2026 Annual Forum. Discussions focused on the future of the Common Market Organization (CMO) in the fruit and vegetable sector within the framework of the post-2027 CAP and the “Food Security” omnibus package.

100% EU co-funding for producer organizations

In his opening remarks, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, president of AREFLH and regional minister for agriculture in Andalusia, welcomed the progress made in the CMO negotiations. He emphasized that securing 100% EU co-funding, without national co-financing, remained AREFLH’s top priority. The first session opened with remarks by Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, a member of the European Court of Auditors, who presented the findings of Special Report No. 22/2026 on producer organizations. Mario Tamanti, director of the Vi.VA Group, expanded on this perspective by presenting the study on the effectiveness of sector-specific interventions carried out over the past decade.

Rejection of the dismantling of operational programs

The debate brought together Gijs Schilthuis from DG AGRI, Cristina Maestre, and Alessio Mammi from the Emilia-Romagna region and the European Committee of the Regions. Discussions focused on the future funding of sectoral interventions, the risks associated with national co-financing, and the importance of preserving a common European framework. The session concluded with the official launch of the AREFLH Manifesto on the future of the CMO for fruits and vegetables, presented by the members of the Board of Directors with a clear message: “A policy that has proven its worth should be improved, not dismantled.”

Proposals for the “Omnibus” package

The second session examined how the “Food Safety” omnibus package could facilitate access to innovative and sustainable solutions for crop protection. Domenico Deserio of DG Health, the regulator responsible for biopesticides and microorganisms used in crop protection, introduced the topic by outlining the package’s key regulatory changes and their implications for simplification and innovation. Anne-Claire Branellec of the Pays de la Loire Region presented regional initiatives to support research and innovation in pest control. MEP Herbert Dorfmann commended the Commission’s efforts to strike a balance between streamlining the review of approved active substances and accelerating provisional authorizations for biological control solutions.

A shared commitment to a competitive and resilient sector

Giovanni Missanelli of Assomela, the Italian association of apple and pear growers, presented the growers’ perspective, emphasizing the need to move beyond emergency authorizations toward a broader and more reliable set of tools for crop protection. In her closing remarks, Lisa Martini, president of the AREFLH Producers’ Council, emphasized that “fruit and vegetable producers are ready to invest in more sustainable production methods, but they need effective tools. Environmental goals and agricultural competitiveness must go hand in hand.”