The European Commissioner for Agriculture has said that work will continue in 2026 for a "more competitive" and "fairer" agriculture sector in the EU.

Commissioner Christophe Hansen took to social media to share a new year's message, in which he said his aim is to attract young farmers into the sector and to revitalise rural areas.

In the video message, the commissioner said: "As the year comes to a close, we are all thinking about our new year’s resolutions.

"Many of them don’t last very long. But there is one we can keep: support our EU farmers and agri-food producers by choosing their delicious products, and by putting them at the heart of our tables, including our geographical indications," the commissioner added.

"I hope that our farmers and European products had their dedicated place on your tables during this festive period. Because they are the ones who make this possible. It is thanks to them that Europe is a agri-food powerhouse," Commissioner Hansen added.

"The proposals I have made so far are a direct response to their needs and challenges," he said.

"Work continues in 2026 for a stronger, more competitive, more resilient and fairer European agriculture for our farmers, to attract young people and to revitalise our rural areas," Commissioner Hansen added.

Mercosur

The commissioner's comments come at a time when farmers across the EU are concerned about the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, and where that agreement, if ratified, would leave them.

The deal, which would allow an additional 99,000t of beef from the Mercosur countries - mainly from Brazil - enter the EU at a much reduced tariff, was supposed to be finalised in December, but this was postponed due to a large farmer demonstration in Brussels.

It is understood that the European Commission will seek to ratify the trade deal early this month.

In Ireland, a "national community protest" against the Mercosur trade deal is being organised by Independent Ireland in Athlone, Co. Westmeath on January 10.