Copa-Cogeca , an influential lobby group representing the European Union (EU) agricultural sector, has asked the EU to impose safeguard mechanisms to rescue rice farmers and ensure their survival.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the group said the EU granted preferential access for rice from other countries into its domestic market and it would destabilise the EU 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.

It said information released this week showed that US policymakers have warned that surging imports and unfair trade practices from major international producers are eroding the domestic rice market and threatening farm viability, with imports increasing by more than 250 per cent over the past two decades. 

Morocco has launched a safeguard investigation after rice imports more than doubled in just a few years, causing serious harm to national production. The Philippines is taking steps to activate protective measures in response to similar pressures, the group said.

Producers worried

“These policy developments highlight a clear global trend: even competitive rice-producing countries are facing destabilising import surges and are seeking tools to ensure fair market conditions,” said Copa-Cogeca.

It said rice-producing countries around the world are raising concerns over increasing pressure on their domestic sectors. It highlighted a growing global challenge that is also significantly affecting Europe. 

“There is therefore an urgent need for the European Union to move forward with safeguard mechanisms to ensure the survival of a historic sector in several member States,” said the Belgium-headquartered body.

Ahead of next week’s European Parliament vote on the Generalised System of Preferences, European rice farmers are calling for a balanced and proportionate response by supporting a reduction of the threshold for the automatic safeguard agreed upon in the trilogue agreement in December 2025, the group said. 

“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.

Published on April 24, 2026