opinion parliamentary committee draft, 8 May 2026
On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directives 2008/98/EC, 2010/75/EU, (EU) 2015/2193 and (EU) 2024/1785 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards simplification of some requirements and reduction of administrative burden
Document AGRI-PA-787938 · (COM(2025)0986 – C100336/2025 – 2025/0394(COD))
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development · Rapporteur: Christine Singer
AI:In short
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development gives its draft opinion on the Commission proposal to simplify requirements and cut administrative burden in EU waste and industrial emissions rules. It proposes amendments to Directive 2010/75/EU that restore fixed capacity thresholds for pig and poultry rearing, delete the livestock unit definition and the registration regime, and keep the permit-based system. It limits aggregation of nearby installations to genuinely integrated units with shared systems, and deletes the provision that could bring cattle rearing into scope. It postpones the Commission's implementing act on uniform operating rules to 1 September 2027, requires an impact assessment, and makes those rules fully harmonised. It deletes the transitional timelines based on livestock unit thresholds and allows monitoring by measurement or calculation methods.
Position. The committee proposes to amend the Commission proposal by restoring fixed capacity thresholds for pig and poultry rearing, deleting the livestock unit definition and registration regime, limiting aggregation, keeping cattle out of scope, postponing the implementing act to 1 September 2027, requiring an impact assessment, and making the uniform operating rules fully harmonised.
Key points
- The title of Directive 2010/75/EU is changed to refer to industrial emissions rather than industrial and livestock rearing emissions.
- The definition of 'livestock unit' in Article 3 is deleted because fixed capacity thresholds are restored in Annex Ia.
- Aggregation of installations as a single unit is allowed only where there is a direct and functional interconnection of housing units and shared key operational systems, with comparable cumulative impacts; mere common ownership or proximity is not enough.
- The permit-based system for pig and poultry rearing is kept, and references to registration are removed from Articles 70c and 70g.
- Permit applications no longer need to include stocking density in livestock units per hectare.
- Monitoring data may be obtained by measurement methods or by calculation methods such as emission factors, without the 'where not practicable' condition.
- The Commission must adopt the implementing act establishing uniform conditions for operating rules by 1 September 2027 instead of 1 September 2026.
- Before adopting that implementing act, the Commission must assess its economic, financial, social and environmental impacts and make the assessment public before consultation.
- Member States must apply the uniform operating rules as fully harmonised requirements and may not adopt stricter national measures unless required by binding Union law.
- Article 73(3)(a) is deleted to avoid bringing cattle rearing into the scope of the Directive.
- The transitional timelines in Article 82(14) based on livestock unit thresholds are deleted.
- Annex Ia is amended to set fixed capacity thresholds: more than 2 000 places for production pigs over 30 kg or more than 750 places for sows, and more than 40 000 places for poultry.
Who is affected
- Pig and poultry rearing installations, which face fixed capacity thresholds and a permit-based system.
- Member States, which must apply uniform operating rules as fully harmonised requirements without stricter national measures.
- The Commission, which must adopt the implementing act by 1 September 2027 and carry out an impact assessment.
- Cattle rearing, which is kept out of the Directive's scope by the deletion of Article 73(3)(a).
Figures and deadlines
- '1 September 2027' — deadline for the Commission to adopt the implementing act on uniform operating rules.
- 'more than 2 000 places for production pigs over 30 kg' — fixed capacity threshold in Annex Ia.
- 'more than 750 places for sows' — fixed capacity threshold in Annex Ia.
- 'more than 40 000 places' — fixed capacity threshold for poultry rearing in Annex Ia.
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AMENDMENT
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development submits the following to the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, as the committee responsible:
Amendment 1
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph – point -1 (new)
Directive 2010/75/EU
Title
| Present text | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (-1) the title is replaced by the following: | |
| Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial and livestock rearing emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) | ‘Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control)’ |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75/EU)
Amendment 2
Proposal for a directive
Read the rest (136 paragraphs)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point -1 a (new)
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 23b
| Present text | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (-1a) In Article 3, paragraph 1, point (23b) is deleted. |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75/EU)
Justification
The deletion reflects the changes in Annex Ia, where LSU thresholds are reverted to fixed capacity thresholds as set out in Directive 2010/75/EU. As a result, the definition of “livestock unit” is no longer needed.
Amendment 3
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 70b – paragraph 1
| Present text | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3a) in Article 70b, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: | |
| 1. Member States shall adopt measures to ensure that if two or more installations engaged in livestock rearing activities are located close to each other and if their operator is the same or if the installations are under the control of operators who are engaged in an economic or legal relationship, the competent authority may consider those installations to be a single unit for the purpose of calculating the capacity threshold referred to in Article 70a. Member States shall ensure that the rule referred to in the first subparagraph is not used to circumvent the obligations set out in this Directive. | ‘1.Member States shall adopt measures to ensure that if two or more installations engaged in pig and poultry rearing activities are located close to each other and if their operator is the same or if the installations are under the control of operators who are engaged in an economic or legal relationship, the competent authority may only consider those installations to be a single unit for the purpose of calculating the capacity threshold referred to in Article 70a, if there is a direct and functional interconnection of housing units and shared key operational systems, including manure management, feed supply and ventilation, demonstrably resulting in cumulative environmental impacts comparable to those of a single larger installation. Mere common ownership or proximity shall not in itself justify aggregation. Member States shall ensure that the rule referred to in the first subparagraph is not used to circumvent the obligations set out in this Directive.’ |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75/EU)
Justification
Limits aggregation to genuinely integrated units with shared systems (e.g. manure, feed, ventilation) and comparable cumulative impacts. Prevents artificially lowering thresholds by grouping independent buildings that individually fall below Annex Ia thresholds, which would create disproportionate costs and administrative burdens without equivalent environmental benefits. Also guards against artificial farm-splitting and ensures alignment with proportionality and burden-reduction principles (Recitals 58–59, (EU) 2024/1785).
Amendment 4
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 b (new)
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 70c – paragraph 1
| Present text | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3b) In Article 70c, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: | |
| 1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that no installation falling within the scope of this Chapter operates without a permit or without being registered and that the operation of all installations within the scope of this Chapter complies with the uniform conditions for operating rules referred to in Article 70i. | ‘1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that no installation falling within the scope of this Chapter operates without a permit and that the operation of all installations within the scope of this Chapter complies with the uniform conditions for operating rules referred to in Article 70i. |
| Member States may use any similar pre-existing procedure for the registration of installations in order to avoid creating an administrative burden. | Member States may use any similar pre-existing procedure for the registration of installations in order to avoid creating an administrative burden. |
| Member States may apply a permitting procedure to the intensive rearing of poultry and pigs: | |
| (a) with more than 40 000 places for poultry; | |
| (b) with more than 2 000 places for production pigs over 30 kg; or | |
| (c) with more than 750 places for sows. | |
| Member States may include requirements for certain categories of installations falling within the scope of this Chapter in the general binding rules referred to in Article 6. Member States shall specify the procedure for registration or granting a permit in respect of installations falling within the scope of this Chapter. Those procedures shall include at least the information listed in paragraph 2. | Member States may include requirements for certain categories of installations falling within the scope of this Chapter in the general binding rules referred to in Article 6. Member States shall specify the procedure granting a permit in respect of installations falling within the scope of this Chapter. Those procedures shall include at least the information listed in paragraph 2.’ |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75/EU)
Justification
The deletion of registration references reflects the shift back to the permit-based system for livestock as in Directive 2010/75/EU as the registration was introduced in the 2024 revision as lighter regime for newly covered installations.
Amendment 5
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 c (new)
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 70c – paragraph 2
| Present text | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3c) In Article 70c, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following: | |
| 2. Registrations or applications for permits shall include at least a description of the following elements: | ‘2. Applications for permits shall include at least a description of the following elements: |
| (a) the installation and its activities; | (a) the installation and its activities; |
| (b) the animal type; | (b) the animal type; |
| (c) the stocking density in LSU per hectare calculated in accordance with Annex Ia, where necessary; | |
| (d) the capacity of the installation; | (d) the capacity of the installation; |
| (e) the sources of emissions from the installation; | (e) the sources of emissions from the installation; |
| (f) the nature and quantities of foreseeable emissions from the installation into each medium. | (f) the nature and quantities of foreseeable emissions from the installation into each medium.’ |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75/EU)
Justification
The amendment removes LSU based requirements and registration elements, introduced in the 2024 revision as lighter regime for newly covered installations, to align with the reintroduction of fixed capacity thresholds as in Directive 2010/75/EU.
Amendment 6
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 d (new)
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 70d – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
| Present text | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3d) In Article 70d, paragraph 1, the second subparagraph is replaced by the following: | |
| Monitoring data shall be obtained by means of measurement methods or, where not practicable, by calculation methods such as the use of emission factors. The methods used for obtaining the monitoring data shall be described in the operating rules. | ‘Monitoring data shall be obtained by means of measurement methods or by calculation methods such as the use of emission factors. The methods used for obtaining the monitoring data shall be described in the operating rules.’ |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75/EU)
Justification
Deleting “not practicable” removes ambiguity and prevents divergent Member State interpretations. It enables a technology-neutral, risk-based choice between measurement and robust calculation methods without lowering protection. This avoids unnecessary disputes, focuses enforcement on emissions, and reduces administrative burdens, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Consistency and comparability remain ensured by Article 70i, strengthening legal certainty, proportionality and efficient enforcement.
Amendment 7
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 e (new)
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 70g – paragraph 2 – point a
| Present text | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3e) In Article 70g, paragraph 2, point (a) is replaced by the following: | |
| (a) the permit or the registration; | ‘(a) the permit;’ |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75/EU)
Justification
The deletion of the registration reference reflects the shift back to the permit-based system for livestock as in Directive 2010/75/EU as the registration was introduced in the 2024 revision as lighter regime for newly covered installations.
Amendment 8
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 f (new)
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 70i – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
| Present text | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3f) In Article 70i, paragraph 2, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following: | |
| The Commission shall adopt by 1 September 2026 an implementing act to establish uniform conditions for operating rules for each of the activities referred to in Annex Ia. | ‘The Commission shall adopt by 1 September 2027 an implementing act to establish uniform conditions for operating rules for each of the activities referred to in Annex Ia.’ |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75)
Justification
The amendment ensures sufficient time for the UCOL working group to carry out its work and to develop a framework that is properly anchored in Member States and involves relevant stakeholders.
Amendment 9
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 g (new)
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 70i – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3g) in Article 70i, paragraph 2, the following subparagraph is added: | |
| ‘Prior to the adoption of the implementing act, the Commission shall carry out an assessment of the economic, financial, social and environmental impacts of the proposed measures. That assessment shall be made public before the draft implementing act is submitted for consultation.’ |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75)
Justification
Given the potentially significant economic, social and environmental impacts of the implementing act, introducing an impact assessment is necessary to ensure that its effects are adequately considered, in line with the Commission’s Better Regulation principles.
Amendment 10
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 h (new)
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 70i – paragraph 3 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3h) in Article 70i, the following paragraph is added: | |
| ‘3a. Member States shall apply the uniform conditions for operating rules adopted pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article as fully harmonised requirements. They shall not adopt or maintain any additional or more stringent national measures concerning emission reduction, nutrient and manure management, housing systems, environmental performance obligations or other operational environmental requirements for activities falling under Annex Ia, unless stricter measures are explicitly required by binding Union law.’ |
Or. en
Justification
Article 70i sets uniform rules to ensure fully harmonised environmental requirements for livestock installations. Stricter national measures (“gold-plating”) risk fragmentation, competitive distortions and production leakage without added environmental benefit. The sector is particularly sensitive due to high capital intensity and tight margins. Clarifying full harmonisation ensures equal ambition, legal certainty and a level playing field, while allowing stricter rules only where required by binding EU law.
Amendment 11
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 i (new)
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 73 – paragraph 3 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3i) in Article 73, paragraph 3, point (a) is deleted. |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75/EU)
Justification
The deletion avoids the potential inclusion of cattle rearing in the scope of the Directive, which would risk imposing further disproportionate regulatory requirements on the livestock sector. Family farms differ fundamentally from large industrial installations in terms of structure, economic capacity and administrative capacity. Extending the IED to additional livestock categories, in particular cattle, would not adequately reflect these differences. The amendment safeguards proportionality and ensures that the Directive remains focused on activities where an industrial regulatory approach is appropriate.
Amendment 12
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 82 – paragraph 14
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14. In relation to installations carrying out activities referred to in Annex Ia, Member States shall apply the laws, regulations and administrative provisions adopted in accordance with this Directive within: | deleted |
| (a) 4 years of the entry into force of the implementing act referred to in Article 70i(2), if the installation has a capacity of 600 LSU or more; | |
| (b) 5 years of the entry into force of the implementing act referred to in Article 70i(2), if the installation has a capacity of 400 LSU or more; | |
| (c) 6 years of the entry into force of the implementing act referred to in Article 70i(2), for all other installations covered by Annex Ia. | |
| Until the relevant date of application, as referred to in the first subparagraph, the installations mentioned in that subparagraph which fall within the scope of this Directive in the version in force on 3 August 2024, shall comply with that version. |
Or. en
Justification
The deletion reflects the changes in Annex Ia, where LSU thresholds are reverted to fixed capacity thresholds as set out in Directive 2010/75/EU. As a result, the differentiated transitional timelines based on LSU thresholds are no longer needed.
Amendment 13
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – point 2 – point -a (new)
Directive 2010/75/EU
Annex Ia – point 1
| Present text | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (-a) Point 1 is replaced by the following: | |
| 1. Rearing of pigs representing 350 LSU or more, excluding rearing activities that are carried out under organic production regimes in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/848, or where the stocking density is less than 2 LSU/hectare used only for grazing or growing fodder or forage used for feeding the animals and the animals are reared outside for a significant amount of time in a year or seasonally reared outside. | 1. Rearing of pigs with more than 2 000 places for production pigs over 30 kg, or with more than 750 places for sows. |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75/EU)
Justification
Reinstating the fixed capacity thresholds at the levels of the Directive 2010/75/EU ensures proportionality by focusing the scope on large, high-emission installations. The amendment strengthens legal clarity, avoids calculation conflicts and preserves comparability across Member States. At the same time, risks of circumvention are addressed through Article 70b, which allows aggregation of functionally linked units and prevents artificial splitting of operations.
Amendment 14
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – point 2 – point a
Directive 2010/75/EU
Annex Ia – point 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (a) Point 2 is complemented with a third sentence as follows: | (a) Point 2 is replaced by the following: |
| ‘Rearing activities that are carried out under organic production regimes in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/848 are excluded.’ | ‘2. Rearing of poultry with more than 40 000 places.’ |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75/EU)
Justification
Reinstating the fixed capacity thresholds at the levels of the Directive 2010/75/EU ensures proportionality by focusing the scope on large, high-emission installations. The amendment strengthens legal clarity, avoids calculation conflicts and preserves comparability across Member States. At the same time, risks of circumvention are addressed through Article 70b, which allows aggregation of functionally linked units and prevents artificial splitting of operations.
Amendment 15
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – point 2 – point b
Directive 2010/75/EU
Annex Ia – point 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| b) In the first sentence of point 3, the words ‘or laying hens or other poultry categories’ are inserted after ‘excluding rearing of pigs’. | (b) point 3 is deleted. |
Or. en
(Directive 2010/75/EU)
Justification
Reinstating the fixed capacity thresholds at the levels of the Directive 2010/75/EU ensures proportionality by focusing the scope on large, high-emission installations. The amendment strengthens legal clarity, avoids calculation conflicts and preserves comparability across Member States. At the same time, risks of circumvention are addressed through Article 70b, which allows aggregation of functionally linked units and prevents artificial splitting of operations.