The European Commission has launched the public consultation prior to drafting the future omnibus legislative proposal on food security in Europe. The initiative focuses on simplifying and strengthening the regulatory framework for food and feed in the European Union. Official projections indicate that the proposal will take shape during the last quarter of 2025 under the “A Vision for Agriculture and Food” initiative, with the primary aim of achieving maximum legislative simplification, streamlining procedures, reducing administrative burdens, and improving the competitiveness of the European agri-food sector.
Food Security in Europe: Political Context and Strategic Objectives
The proposal aligns with three major institutional objectives:
- Streamlining the regulatory framework in accordance with the “A simpler and faster Europe” Communication.
- Enhancing the competitiveness and resilience of food and feed systems, in line with the Competitiveness Compass.
- Reducing regulatory burden by 25% for companies and 35% for SMEs, with an estimated savings of EUR 37.5 billion before the end of the current mandate.
The initiative does not require a full impact assessment, as it is based on consolidated technical evidence, implementation reports, and structured input from Member States and stakeholders.
Legislative Areas Targeted for Revision
The proposal addresses current regulatory frameworks for a wide range of products:
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Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 (plant protection products)
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Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 (biocides)
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Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 (feed additives)
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Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 (BSE)
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Regulation (EU) 2017/625 (official controls)
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Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and 853/2004 (hygiene standards)
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Directive 2009/128/EC (sustainable use of pesticides)
Identified Issues and Proposed Measures: Food Security in Europe
Plant Protection Products: Due to the reduction in available options following the withdrawal of older products and slow approval of biological alternatives, it is necessary to provide alternatives. Proposed measures include:
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Accelerating the authorization of biocontrol products.
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Strengthening mutual recognition between Member States.
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Supporting minor uses.
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Clarifying provisions on basic substances, seed treatment, and data protection.
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Facilitating the use of drones for targeted pesticide applications.
Directly related to plant protection products, the proposal will also address maximum residue limits to improve clarity of terminology and transitional rules, aiming to enhance legal certainty.
Biocides: Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 experiences delays in active substance reviews, hindering market access and innovation. The proposal will focus on:
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Specific adjustments to reduce administrative burden.
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Reviewing data protection expiration periods.
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Strengthening harmonized authorization procedures.
Feed Additives: The 2024 assessment identified unnecessary burdens in authorization renewal and modification processes. Measures include:
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Simplifying procedures for changes of ownership.
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Flexibilizing labeling, including digital options.
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Reducing compliance costs without compromising safety.
Food Hygiene Standards: The proposal aims to harmonize notification procedures with the TRIS Directive (Technical Regulations Information System), eliminating duplication and improving transparency through a single database.
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE): Current rules are outdated and create unnecessary burdens. The proposal seeks to:
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Modernize the legal framework.
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Introduce a more flexible, science-based approach.
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Facilitate trade and reduce disproportionate restrictions.
Official Controls: Currently, border posts cannot partially release compliant consignments, causing trade delays when only part of a shipment is held. A more flexible system is needed to:
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Allow partial release of plant consignments.
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Introduce limited exceptions to reference laboratory accreditation requirements.
Animal Welfare: The obligation to submit duplicate reports on sanitary emptying will be removed, reducing administrative burden without loss of relevant information.
Fermentation Products with Genetically Modified Microorganisms (GMM): Clarification will be provided on whether products should be considered “produced from” or “produced with” GMMs, reducing regulatory uncertainty.
Key Impacts
The proposed measures are expected to have positive impacts across multiple dimensions:
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Reduced compliance costs for economic operators and competent authorities.
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Increased competitiveness for farmers and agri-food companies.
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Encouragement of innovation, particularly in SMEs.
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Improved regulatory efficiency without compromising food security in Europe, human health, or environmental protection standards.
In particular, accelerating the approval of biocontrol products and the use of drones in precision agriculture is expected to increase the availability of sustainable crop protection tools. Additionally, digital labeling flexibility and simplified feed additive authorization procedures will facilitate investment and development of new products.
Next Steps
The data call will remain open until 14 October 2025, after which the proposal will be developed. According to available information, the proposal should be available during the remainder of 2025. Considering these timelines, the initiative’s impact will be monitored through existing sectoral mechanisms, with particular attention to:
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Number of applications and authorizations for plant protection products and biocides.
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Indicators of innovation and feed additive availability.
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Use of flexibilities in official controls.
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Evolution of BSE surveillance requirements.
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Application of simplified notification procedures in hygiene standards.
Conclusion
The omnibus proposal represents a technical and strategic effort to modernize the EU regulatory framework for food security in Europe and feed. By addressing specific problems with concrete measures, this initiative is expected to contribute significantly to administrative efficiency, innovation, and sector competitiveness, without compromising the high protection standards characteristic of European Union legislation.
