Amendments to the Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation concerning the EU school scheme, sectoral interventions, protein sector, hemp requirements, marketing standards, import duties, crisis supply rules and securities

PURPOSE: to amend Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 as regards the school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme, sectoral interventions, the creation of a protein sector, requirements for hemp, the possibility for marketing standards for cheese, protein crops and meat, application of additional import duties, rules on the availability of supplies in time of emergencies and severe crisis and securities.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council.

BACKGROUND: on 16 July 2025, the Commission unveiled its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 (MFF), a budget of almost EUR 2 trillion between 2028 and 2034 intended to strengthen Europe's sovereignty, competitiveness and resilience.

The next MFF includes the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the National and Regional Partnership Fund (NRPF) for the period 2028-2034, bringing together the funds pre-allocated at national level under the Fund, including the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council provides for all the fundamental elements of the common organisation of markets in agricultural products. For the period 2028-2034, financial support for the measures provided for in that Regulation will be governed by the legal framework set out in the NRPF Regulation. Sector-specific support is considered strategic in nature to contribute to the achievement of CAP objectives and to strengthen synergies with other CAP instruments.

CONTENT: the main elements of the proposed regulation are as follows:

Interventions within the framework of an EU school program

The proposal sets out the basic policy parameters, such as the scheme's objectives and its basic requirements, while Member States would bear greater responsibility for how they achieve and deliver on the objectives. To reduce schoolchildren's consumption of free sugars and fats, the distribution of products rich in free sugars and fats should be limited. To raise children's awareness of the variety of products grown in the Union and their different qualities, the distribution of products originating in the Union should be given priority, combined with criteria linked to higher standards of environmental and social sustainability.

Sectoral interventions

The proposal defines the minimum requirements for the contents and policy objectives of these types of intervention, which have the overall aim of ensuring the efficient functioning and stability of agricultural markets. The types of intervention in certain sectors should provide support to the fruit and vegetable, wine, protein crops, apiculture, olive oil and table olives and hops sectors, as well as to other sectors and products for which the introduction of specific interventions is deemed to have beneficial effects on the achievement of all or some of the general and specific objectives of the CAP.

Protein crops

The proposal introduces specific rules for the mandatory recognition of producers and interbranch organisations in this sector. In order to support the production of protein crops and reduce the Union's dependence on imports of high-quality protein, it is proposed to create a distinct protein crops sector in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013. The protein crops sector should be added to the list of sectors for which Member States are required to recognise, upon request, producer organisations and interbranch organisations.

Marketing standards

The proposal provides for the possibility to lay down marketing standards for protein crops to better inform consumers about the origin of the protein crops products they purchase. For the same reason, beef, pigmeat, sheep and goat meat should be added to the list for which marketing standards can be adopted. Provisions should also be made for the possibility to lay down marketing standards for cheese.

Hemp

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 will include rules on the production and marketing of hemp. Annex I will be extended to cover all parts of the hemp plant as agricultural products, provided that CAP requirements are met. New provisions will also maintain public health protection by maintaining strict seed certification and a 0.3% THC limit, thus ensuring compliance with international drug conventions. Transitional provisions will protect existing producer organisations and allow farmers to market hemp sown before the new rules apply.

Sugar

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 requires that the terms for buying sugar beet and sugar cane are to be governed by written agreements to conform to the purchase terms laid down in Annex X to that Regulation. Those provisions should be amended for the sake of clarity and consistency as regards the parties to the agreements within the trade and as regards the products concerned by those agreements and subject to purchase terms. Furthermore, in order to enhance legal clarity and reinforce the protection of the rights of beet sellers in contractual relationships with sugar undertakings, it is proposed to explicitly provide that the ownership of the beet pulp remains with the beet seller unless otherwise agreed.

Availability of supplies in time of emergencies and severe crisis

The proposal imposes an obligation on Member States to adopt baseline preparedness measures that should include the establishment of national and/or regional preparedness and response plans for agricultural products, the regular exchange of information on agricultural product stocks, the designation of competent authorities, and participation in EU-level stress testing exercises. These efforts should be complemented by enhanced obligations in the event of crisis or high-risk situations, including reporting requirements.