European Commission: A Catalyst for the Dairy Industry

The European Commission, based in Brussels, Belgium, is a central institution in shaping the dairy market within the European Union. In 2023, the Commission had a substantial budget exceeding €160 billion, positioning it to invest significantly across various sectors, including dairy.

Financial Indicators

In 2023, the European Commission allocated €2.56 million to critical infrastructure projects in the dairy sector. This funding covers 80% of the total project value, underscoring the Commission's commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture and economic prosperity throughout the European Union.

Significant Events

The European Commission has consistently invested in enhancing the dairy sector's infrastructure, research capabilities, and marketing strategies. A notable event was its strategic response to an outbreak near Berlin, demonstrating its regionalization strategy to mitigate potential impacts. Furthermore, the Commission's approval of the merger between FrieslandCampina and Milcobel on October 24, 2025, highlights its role in facilitating industry consolidation after assessing potential market impacts.

Future Plans

The European Commission is committed to continuing its support for initiatives that strengthen agricultural resilience and sustainability. These efforts align with the European Green Deal and digital strategies, preparing the dairy sector to adapt to environmental and technological changes. Additionally, the Commission aims to empower farmers within the agri-food supply chain.

Strategic Initiatives

Recent strategic initiatives include partnerships with Greek and Romanian authorities in response to crises and the imposition of tariffs on certain agricultural products and fertilizers from Russia and Belarus. These measures aim to reduce reliance on external supplies and enhance domestic production within the EU. New compliance requirements for Ireland's nitrates derogation have been introduced, affecting the Irish dairy industry directly.

Projections from the European Commission indicate a 39% increase in overall EU exports, with agri-food exports potentially rising nearly 50%. The anticipated economic uplift from the EU-MERCOSUR trade deal is expected to contribute €77.6 billion to the EU's GDP. The ICMSA has urged the Commission to maintain the nitrates derogation for Irish dairy farmers, and discussions are ongoing as part of the EU Nitrates Directive, which impacts these farmers.

The Commission has also requested the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to examine the risks posed by the H5N1 genotype virus found in US dairy cattle. EFSA has proposed measures to prevent its spread to Europe in response to this request.

An €18.2 million state aid package has been approved by the European Commission. After assessing the proposal, the EU executive found no concerns regarding competition or compliance with state aid procedures, allowing the package to proceed.

Hungary is advocating for the European Commission to activate market support mechanisms, particularly private storage aid for surplus butter and cheese.

The European Commission's ReNure proposal presents a potential solution for Irish dairy farmers by suggesting the reclassification of digestate from anaerobic digestion plants as chemical fertilizer if it meets specific processing standards.

Hungary has raised the issue of the milk market situation at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, prompting the European Commission to monitor the sector closely.

Modified: 2026/02/12