EU agriculture ministers debate extending deadlines for documentation

EU agriculture ministers debate extending deadlines for documentation

The discussion about the future requirements for the documentation of plant protection products in the EU has gained momentum. One could say that time is of the essence and there is a struggle to extend the deadlines. At this point, Germany has a proposal that is also on the agenda of the EU agriculture ministers. On November 18, 2025, Federal Minister Rainer initiated an important discussion about postponing the European recording requirements for plant protection products. What is particularly exciting is that out of 13 delegations that commented on this issue, an impressive 12 supported Germany's proposal to extend the transition period for the operational documentation requirements set out under the SAIO Regulation by one year.

The proposal envisages that the obligation to transfer data to Brussels will be postponed until 2029. Hansen, a key player in this debate, pointed out that a transition period already exists to ease bureaucratic hurdles. It is all the more important that farmers prepare for this issue, because from January 1, 2026 the new scope of recording will be mandatory, even if Germany may extend the deadline by another year until 2027. These changes result from the adaptation of Article 67 of Regulation (EU) 1107/2009, which records how plant protection products are used.

The new requirements

What is increasingly coming into focus are the documentation requirements for these applications. From January 1, 2026, farmers must keep their documentation in electronic, machine-readable form. If the member states actually postpone the deadline by one year, the new scope of recordings will still remain in place. The records must be kept locally by the farmer and must be made available upon request from the responsible authorities, such as the plant protection service in North Rhine-Westphalia. Implementing Regulation 564/2023 also sets out the specific requirements for the local storage of application data.

Another aspect that farmers should keep in mind is that application data must be recorded no later than 30 days after use - an important point in order to be able to respond to bureaucratic requirements in a timely manner. These developments are crucial, not only for agriculture, but also in terms of supporting sustainable, environmentally friendly practices in the EU, aiming to double food production by 2050.

The path to the EU's agricultural policy

The EU faces major challenges in the agricultural sector, be it from climate change, loss of biodiversity or the quality of soil and water. To meet these challenges, the EU has realigned its agricultural policy, which not only means support for farmers, but also new opportunities and framework conditions. A wide range is covered here, from food quality and traceability to trade and sales promotion. The goal is clear: to support farmers financially in their efforts while promoting environmentally friendly practices.

The EU is also one of the world's leading producers and exporters of agricultural products, thanks to its favorable climate as well as technical capabilities and product quality. Agriculture and related sectors provide employment for over 44 million jobs in the EU - a sign of the importance of the sector.

It remains to be seen whether the required changes in documentation will actually lead to relief for farmers. What is certain, however, is that it is not just about adapting to new regulations, but about fundamental modernization and responsibility in the agricultural sector.

At a time when food security is becoming more important than ever around the world, the EU and its member states must continue to work hand in hand to find long-term solutions and meet the challenges of the future. The situation remains exciting and we will follow developments closely.