Europe: AI-assisted international press reviewPress review

Hectarea Raises €1.5 Million to Democratize Access to Agricultural Land from €100

Hectarea, an investment platform for agricultural land, announces a fundraising of €1.5 million to support its development and facilitate land access for new farmers. With an entry ticket lowered to €100, the company aims to democratize agricultural investment while addressing the urgent need for generational renewal in the sector, as 50% of French farmers are set to retire by 2030.

European Regulation of Plant Protection Products at the Heart of 2026 Brussels Conference

The second edition of the conference on crop protection regulation, organized by the ECCA (European Crop Protection Association), will take place in Brussels in September 2026. This crucial event for the post-patent crop protection sector will address regulatory developments related to the EU's food safety simplification package. Discussions will focus on active substance assessments and the sector's role in agricultural competitiveness, bringing together decision-makers and key stakeholders to exchange on upcoming challenges and opportunities.

Pentasweet Invests €65 Million in Fermentation Plant for Brazzein Production

In France, the Electrification Plan includes the purchase of 150 electric tractors made in Europe

New Genomic Techniques (NGT): EU Council Adopts New Rules for Sustainable Food Systems

The European Union Council has adopted a regulatory framework for New Genomic Techniques (NGT), aimed at enhancing food security and reducing external dependencies. This framework distinguishes NGT-1 plants, exempt from labeling, from NGT-2, which are subject to GMO legislation. The new rules also introduce transparency measures on intellectual property, expected to impact innovation and competitiveness in the sector. Implementation of this framework is set for 2028.

In the Netherlands, 46 PFAS Pesticides Could Be Banned Due to Drinking Water Risks

The Dutch regulator Ctgb is considering banning 46 PFAS-containing pesticides following research indicating their impact on groundwater. Potato producers, reliant on these products to combat blight, may face significant losses. The search for alternatives proves complex, as the final decision is expected by April 2028.

The Council of the European Union Supports Deregulation of GMOs/NGTs

On April 21, 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted a favorable position on the deregulation of GMOs and NGTs, ending months of debate. This text, which still needs to pass through the European Parliament, could transform the landscape of agriculture and biotechnology in Europe by facilitating the use of new genetic modification techniques.

UK Government Invests £50 Million in Agritech Innovation

The UK government has announced a £50 million investment to accelerate the adoption of agricultural technologies on British farms. This program, managed by the Farming Innovation Programme in partnership with Innovate UK, will support up to 12 innovations, including a fungal biopesticide and mushroom-based solutions. An additional £5 million will be available for agritech businesses in 2026-27, aimed at enhancing productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

Based on data from 9,000 farms, this platform supports farmers in beet cultivation

The MyEasyAI platform, a result of collaboration between the Cristal Union cooperative and the startup MyEasyFarm, relies on data analysis from 9,000 French farms. Its aim is to assist farmers in optimizing sugar beet production while minimizing the use of plant protection products, as part of an ambitious three-year program set to launch in 2025.

Three EPFL Startups Awarded for Innovative Biotherapeutics

SWITZERLAND - Startups Eleum, MOLECL, and NourishAI, based at EPFL, have received an Innogrant of 100,000 CHF to develop innovative biotherapeutics. Eleum is working on a microbiome-based treatment for ulcerative colitis, MOLECL is developing nanopore protein analysis technology, and NourishAI offers a personalized nutrition approach for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).