The European Dairy Association (EDA) has rounded up the EU dairy sector’s key developments in its latest Dairy Flash (#10/2026), from a board meeting with the Agriculture Commissioner to the Livestock Strategy and Protein Action Plan, international dialogues and preparations for its annual convention, EDA reports.

EDA Board meets Commissioner Christophe Hansen

The EDA Board exchanged views with EU Agriculture and Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen on the priorities shaping the future of Europe’s «lactosphère». 

With EDA Vice-President Gilles Gérard (CEO, Luxlait) and board members, the meeting covered the market situation, dairy trade, Unfair Trading Practices (UTP), the EU Livestock Strategy and the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). On the UTP Directive, Hansen was clear that it «really matters», while acknowledging remaining gaps that the Commission is now assessing for potential improvements.

Livestock Strategy and Protein Action Plan

The European Commission published its Livestock Strategy alongside a complementary Protein Action Plan, setting a long-term vision for a competitive, resilient and sustainable EU livestock sector. 

EDA welcomes both, particularly the recognition that many principles long guiding European dairy are now reflected in the vision, and that Europe’s diverse livestock sectors need tailored rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. 

The Protein Action Plan reinforces strategic autonomy by promoting locally produced plant proteins and recognising roughage as a sustainable, local feed that supports circular dairy production. 

Together they acknowledge dairy’s contribution to competitiveness, circularity, biodiversity, grassland management, animal welfare and climate action.

EDA joins the annual Utrecht Group Meeting

EDA again took part in the annual Utrecht Group Meeting in the Netherlands, organised by the Dutch Dairy Association (NZO). 

A well-established forum under Chatham House rules with a limited number of high-level participants, this year’s programme focused on the science around NOVA and ultra-processed foods (UPFs), the role and nature of dairy processing, and the potential implications of policies targeting UPFs.

EDA Annual Convention 2026 in Bratislava

The European dairy community will gather at the EDA Annual Convention 2026 on 14–16 October in Bratislava, Slovakia, held with the Slovak Dairy Association (SMZ) and ASSIFONTE under the auspices of Slovakia’s Agriculture Minister. 

The opening session, «Local Roots and Global Competitiveness», leads a programme whose confirmed speakers include Slovak Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč, EDA President Albert de Groot, SMZ President Marián Šolty, DG TRADE’s Flavio Coturni and the CEOs of Brazzale S.p.A. and Tippagral France, moderated by Rose O’Donovan (AGRA FACTS). 

Registration runs to 31 July.

International trade dialogues and EU–Mexico

EDA continued international exchanges: Trade and Economics Director Laurens van Delft met a delegation from Japan’s ALIC on whey-market developments and growing global demand, and exchanged with the EU–Nigeria Agribusiness Platform, while EDA’s Alexander Anton joined SME Europe’s Trade Matters podcast on the future of agri-food trade. 

Separately, the European Commission marked 10 years of the Animal Health Law (adopted 2016), and the European Parliament endorsed the modernised EU-Mexico Global Agreement (MGA), which will remove Mexican tariffs of up to 45% on cheeses and protect 568 EU geographical indications once fully ratified.

The full Dairy Flash #10/2026 newsletter is available on the EDA website.

Source: EDA (European Dairy Association)