The move formed part of the EU’ s broader efforts to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining environmental commitments during the current policy cycle.

A key element of the agreement centred on land management rules. Under the revised approach, farmland recognised as arable on Jan 1, 2026, would continue to hold that status even if it had not been ploughed, tilled, or reseeded for several years.

EU lawmakers argued that the measure would help protect biodiversity and spare farmers from having to undertake periodic soil disturbance to comply with classification rules.

SIMPLER LAND RULES

Organic operations were also included in the reforms. Areas certified as organic- or still in conversion- would automatically be considered to comply with several Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions( GAEC) standards. Individual member states could, however, restrict the exemption if the simplified approach created complications in monitoring or

NEW RULES IN SIGHT: New EU adjustments are set to ease compliance demands on farmers, offering simpler land and environmental requirements.

placed additional strain on national inspection systems.

Negotiators also upheld the“ once-only” inspection principle. This meant farmers would not face more than one official on-the-ground check each year, a long-standing request from producers who said repeated visits from different authorities disrupted daily operations.

Financial support for smaller farms was another key point. Negotiators opted to raise the maximum annual direct payment

for small-scale farmers to € 3,000. At the same time, the ceiling for a one-off business development grant rose to € 75,000, both higher than the European Commission’ s initial proposal.

Rapporteur André Rodrigues( S & D, PT), a Member of the European Parliament, said the deal demonstrated lawmakers’ responsiveness to farmers’ concerns.

“ The European Parliament has shown that it’ s possible to make the CAP fairer, clearer, and closer to the people who work the land every day.

This agreement provides greater support for farmers, more efficient rules for national authorities, and more explicit environmental guidance, so that good practices are encouraged rather than punished by confusion or red tape.

“ From Jan 1, 2026, these new rules will apply to more than nine million farmers across Europe, because we have listened to them and turned their concerns into real solutions.”

The proposal still awaits formal endorsement from both institutions before the measures can take effect.

CHINA’ S Origin AgriTech( Origin) recorded a significant expansion of its operational scope after securing new approvals for seed production and genetically modified( GMO) crop work, strengthening its position in the country’ s fast-developing agricultural biotechnology sector.

The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs granted Origin a new crop seed production and operation licence, authorising the company to produce, process, package, wholesale and retail corn seeds.

This licence complements an existing licence held by its subsidiary, Xinjiang OriginBio Seed Ltd., allowing Origin to extend its reach across multiple regions and diversify its revenue streams.

In addition, the Beijing Tongzhou District Market Supervision Administration approved the inclusion of GMO crop seed production in the company’ s business scope.

While each GMO crop will still require separate registration before commercial release, the authorisation positions Origin to capitalise on the rising adoption of biotechnology in China’ s agriculture.

The company also increased the registered capital of its subsidiary Beijing Origin Seed Ltd. from RMB30 million( US $ 4.2 million) to RMB100 million( US $ 14 million). It restructured key production and sales entities, consolidating them under Beijing Origin. The move established the subsidiary as the company’ s primary operational hub, enhancing efficiency and creating a foundation for scalable growth.

Origin Chief Executive Officer Weibin Yan described the developments as pivotal:“ Today’ s announcements mark a transformative step for Origin Agritech. The addition of our new GMO-inclusive business license, combined with the successful capital increase

EXPANDING SEED OPERATIONS: Origin Agritech now holds multiple crop seed licences across a broader regional footprint.

and organisational restructuring, provides a robust infrastructure for our next phase of growth.

“ By consolidating our research, breeding, seed production and sales network strengths under Beijing Origin, we are streamlining our operations, accelerating innovation, and positioning ourselves to bring our advanced seed technologies- including our GMO pipeline

- to market more efficiently. These strategic moves reinforce our commitment to delivering value for both farmers and shareholders.”

Origin Agritech, established in 1997, has long been involved in biotechnology seed development, including China’ s first transgenic phytase corn to receive a national bio-safety certificate.- @ AGROBiz