On the EU side, progress on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has stalled, with Member States suspending work on the Commission's proposal to simplify requirements for companies operating across multiple EU countries. The measure has been side-lined from the Environmental Omnibus package, with reform now expected to be picked up through the forthcoming Circular Economy Act later in the year.
Meanwhile, Ireland has published its programme for its upcoming Council Presidency, running from 1st July to 31st December 2026. Competitiveness, simplification and biotechnology are among its key priorities, with the Presidency also signalling its intention to strengthen EU-UK cooperation.
Alongside this, a long-anticipated legislative milestone has been reached. The European Parliament's final adoption of the regulation on new genomic techniques (NGTs) marks a turning point for crop innovation across the EU – and could carry direct implications for the UK, where plant breeders are watching closely to see how gene editing rules interact with the EU-UK SPS agreement.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) also remain firmly on the radar. A coalition of NGOs and health organisations has urged the Commission to act without waiting for its own study to conclude, while parallel pressure is building at national level in France – reflecting growing pressure on policymakers across Europe.
From fresh uncertainty over the EU-UK reset and a landmark moment for genomic regulation to mounting pressure on UPFs and the Irish Presidency's priorities, this edition covers the developments food and nutrition businesses need to be across heading into the summer.
The Food & Nutrition Team, Whitehouse Communications
Policy and regulatory developments
EU Member States halt work on EPR simplification proposal
On 5th June, the Council of the EU published a progress report confirming that Member States have suspended work on a European Commission proposal to simplify Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements for companies operating across multiple EU countries. EPR schemes require producers to contribute financially to the collection and treatment of waste from their products and packaging.
The proposal, part of the Commission's Environmental Omnibus package published in December 2025, would have removed the requirement for companies to appoint a separate authorised representative in each Member State where they hold EPR obligations. This was intended as a short-term administrative relief measure while broader reforms remained under development.
Member States decided not to proceed following a negative assessment by national delegations. The decision also reflects the approaching Circular Economy Act, expected in late 2026, which is likely to include more substantive revisions to EPR rules across the EU. As a result, businesses should not expect any near-term simplification of current requirements. The issue is expected to be picked up again through the Circular Economy Act process.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament is due to vote on its position on the wider Omnibus package on 5th October. Concerns have been raised across all political parties, including that the Commission’s proposal was made without an impact assessment.
Incoming Irish Presidency publishes its programme: Biotech Act and EU-UK relations among key priorities
Ireland has published its programme for the upcoming Council Presidency, running from 1st July to 31st December 2026. On food and agriculture, the Irish Presidency committed to pay particular attention to food security, competitiveness, simplification, sustainability, and generational renewal.
The Presidency has committed to advancing the simplification agenda, including work on Environmental Omnibus and Food and Feed Safety Omnibus, with a focus on reducing administrative burdens for businesses. It will also continue negotiations on the Biotech Act I, covering both the Directive and the Regulation, as part of a broader package of competitiveness reforms.
EU-UK relations also feature prominently in the programme. Ireland described the UK as a “key partner” of the EU and indicated ambitions to promote positive relations and advance cooperation in the interests of citizens on both sides. Practically, this means continued implementation of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and the Windsor Framework, supporting the finalisation of negotiations for the next EU-UK Institutional Summit, now postponed following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation, and following through on its outcomes.
Other priorities include further development of the Single Market, support for SME innovation and scale-up, and ensuring industrial competitiveness remains consistent with the EU's social and climate commitments.
For those tracking the EU policy agenda, the Presidency signals that simplification, biotech regulation and EU-UK cooperation will remain active fronts through the end of 2026.
New Genomic Techniques (NGT) deal clears final hurdle in European Parliament
The European Parliament has backed final adoption of the EU regulation on plants produced using new genomic techniques, paving the way for a framework that is set to transform innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability across the food and agriculture sector. The regulation will support the faster development of climate resilient and disease resistant crops and could also help reduce reliance on pesticides.
MEPs approved the deal on 17th June, following last-ditch attempts from a group of MEPs to introduce stronger requirements on patents, which ultimately were voted down.
The legislation will create two categories of NGT plants, treating those similar to conventional breeding as exempt from GMO rules while subjecting more complex edits to authorisation, risk assessment, and labelling requirements. It also reduces administrative burdens for breeders and includes measures on patents intended to balance innovation incentives with access for farmers and SMEs.
The ruling is significant because it could support the UK's efforts to secure an exemption for its gene editing rules as part of the negotiations with Brussels on a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. UK plant breeders are concerned that progress towards developing precision-bred crops could be derailed if the UK aligns with EU rules in this area.
UK political upheaval disrupts momentum on EU‑UK regulatory reset
Keir Starmer’s resignation as UK Prime Minister on 22nd June has injected fresh uncertainty into the trajectory of the EU‑UK relationship. With Andy Burnham now widely expected to assume the premiership following his election as MP for Makerfield, the political transition has already had tangible consequences. The European Commission confirmed last week that the planned 22nd July EU‑UK summit has been postponed, with no new date set. Officials indicated the meeting will take place “as soon as the possibilities are there”, suggesting it is unlikely to occur before the end of the summer recess. Burnham was traditionally seen as pro-EU, but he will need to consider political sentiment at home.
Despite the political turbulence, technical work on regulatory alignment continues. Defra has informed industry that it is pausing domestic policy development on recyclable labelling until the EU publishes its Implementing Act under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), expected on 12th August 2026. The Act will apply directly in Northern Ireland, and the UK government has signalled it may mirror the requirements to maintain close alignment.
Industry groups have welcomed this direction of travel, stressing the need for coordinated labelling changes, including those anticipated under the forthcoming SPS agreement, to avoid unnecessary compliance costs.
Calls to regulate ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are intensifying across Europe, with recent NGO campaigns pointing towards a broadening policy agenda focused on reshaping unhealthy food environments as a whole. On 8th June, a coalition of 21 NGOs, health associations and medical organisations published an open letter urging the European Commission to take immediate action on unhealthy diets, warning against delaying policy responses pending the outcome of a forthcoming EU study on UPFs. The coalition argued that both UPFs and foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) are disproportionately promoted and more readily accessible than healthier alternatives. Rather than targeting individual nutrients or food categories in isolation, the group is calling for a comprehensive EU strategy addressing unhealthy diets in a more systemic manner.
At the centre of their recommendations are a series of regulatory and policy tools: tighter restrictions on HFSS advertising to children, stronger incentives for product reformulation, enhanced nutrition standards in public procurement and school food policies, and a shift in public subsidies away from HFSS products. The coalition also calls for the Commission’s UPF study to be transparent, science-based and insulated from industry influence, reflecting wider concerns about the evidence base underpinning future regulation.
Alongside this EU-level push, pressure is also building at national level. In France, a coalition of 43 consumer and health organisations led by Foodwatch issued a separate call on 26th May urging the government to act more decisively on UPFs. The group is calling on ministers, including Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard and Health Minister Stéphanie Rist to introduce three key measures: stricter controls on advertising, a ban on child-targeted marketing on packaging, and the introduction of a mandatory front-of-pack label identifying ultra-processed products alongside the existing Nutri-Score system. The coalition points to a growing body of evidence from more than 100 scientific studies linking high UPF consumption to chronic conditions such as obesity and depressive symptoms. It also highlights the lack of a dedicated regulatory framework for UPFs in France and notes strong public backing, with a supporting petition exceeding 160,000 signatures. Meanwhile, a few EU member states food agencies continue to hold cautious positions regarding the use of the term UPFs, identifying, like in Sweden, that there is still limited scientific support to confirm that UPFs are unhealthy because they are processed or contain additives.
Together, these initiatives signal a steady and converging policy direction across Europe as the debate over how to define and regulate UPFs continues to gain momentum, reflecting growing political pressure to move towards concrete regulatory action at both EU and national level. Looking ahead, the findings of the European Commission’s forthcoming study on UPFs is expected to shape future policy discussions and may play a significant role in influencing future regulatory developments in this area.
Shaping the future of sustainable food systems
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Sainsbury’s phases out brown eggs in Net Zero push: Sainsbury’s announcedit will phase out brown eggs across its own-brand range as part of its net zero strategy. The retailer will transition to white-feathered hens, following research suggesting white eggs have a 12.7% lower carbon footprint due to improved feed efficiency and longer laying cycles.
Tetra Pak launches carton packaging alternative for shelf-stable tuna: Tetra Pak announced the launch of what it describes as the food industry’s first carton-based packaging format for shelf-stable tuna, developed in collaboration with Spanish seafood producer Jealsa. The Tetra Recart format, already used for other shelf-stable foods, is being positioned as an alternative to traditional metal cans, with the company highlighting potential benefits including reduced packaging-related emissions.
Engagement opportunities
Open consultations
Engage with these consultations to shape the issues affecting your organisation:
- European Commission consultation on the development of guidelines for the Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence. The deadline is 24th July.
Events calendar
- 30th June: Plastics Europe – Circular Economy Act: Europe’s new competitiveness strategy – and its implications for plastics (Brussels).
- 30th June: STOA - Europe's future after embracing New Genomic Techniques (Brussels).
- 30th July: Positive Nutrition Broadcast Series (Online).
- 21st-22nd September: Food Matters Live (Rotterdam).
- 24th-25th September: Future Food Tech (London).
- 17th-19th November: Food Ingredients (Frankfurt).
Get in touch: Zoé Choulika, Account Manager, Food, Public Health and Sustainability zoe.choulika@whitehousecomms.com