Overview
- EU agriculture ministers convene Wednesday in Brussels for a special session on the Mercosur pact and the Common Agricultural Policy.
- Ursula von der Leyen’s letter proposes letting farmers tap about €45 billion from the next EU budget earlier than planned, starting in 2028.
- Italy signaled a positive view of the concessions, with Rome seen as likely to support the deal in a Council step expected on Friday.
- Further assurances under discussion include a €6.3 billion crisis fund and a review of import controls, including pesticide residue limits.
- Regional farm groups in Germany plan Thursday protests in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and opposition remains strong in France, Poland and Hungary.