Copa-Cogeca, a prominent lobby group representing the European Union (EU) agricultural sector, has called on the EU to implement safeguard mechanisms to protect rice farmers and ensure their sustainability.
In a statement released on Thursday, the group expressed concern that the EU’s granting of preferential access to rice imports from other nations could destabilize the domestic market. “Imports from Cambodia, Myanmar, India, and Thailand have placed sustained pressure on EU producers, threatening a sector that is essential for rural employment, environmental stewardship, and the production of high-quality, sustainable food,” the statement noted.
Recent data indicated warnings from U.S. policymakers about increasing imports and unfair trade practices from major international rice producers eroding the domestic market. Over the last two decades, rice imports into the U.S. rose by more than 250%. In response to similar pressures, Morocco has initiated a safeguard investigation after experiencing a more than twofold increase in rice imports over a few years, negatively impacting national production. The Philippines is also seeking protective measures to counteracting similar challenges.
Copa-Cogeca emphasized that these developments reveal a clear global pattern where even competitive rice-producing nations are facing disruptive import surges and are pursuing tools to secure fair market conditions. Rice-producing countries globally are voicing concerns over the escalating pressures on their domestic sectors, which also significantly impact Europe.
“There is, therefore, an urgent need for the European Union to advance safeguard mechanisms to ensure the survival of a historic sector in several member states,” the Belgium-based organization stated.
As the European Parliament prepares for a vote on the Generalised System of Preferences next week, European rice farmers are advocating for a balanced and proportionate response. They are seeking a reduction in the threshold for the automatic safeguard established in the trilogue agreement from December 2025.
“The objective is not to restrict trade, but to ensure that the EU rice sector can continue to play its crucial role in maintaining vibrant rural areas and delivering high standards of food production,” Copa-Cogeca concluded.
Published on April 24, 2026.
