The voice of small and medium-sized enterprises should be heard ever more clearly in European decisions

Support for small and medium-sized enterprises is one of the important priorities of Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament. “The link between the institutions that draw up European policies and the businesses that then have to apply them is often lost. Restoring that dialogue is exactly the task I have set myself as chair of the Working Group on Agriculture, Food and Consumers at SME Connect,” he said after the discussion of the European Commission’s new Work Programme for 2026, which puts a strong emphasis on food security and the sustainable development of rural areas.

“These are key topics for the future of European agriculture and the food industry. We discussed the upcoming European initiative on harmonised food labelling, which should help consumers make an informed choice. It gives guarantees that the rules will be workable for small producers too,” the MEP explained.

Food, prevention and health

The third main topic discussed within the Working Group on Agriculture, Food and Consumers at SME Connect was the European Cardiovascular Health Plan, which the European Commission is preparing with the aim of prevention and better care for the most common chronic diseases in the EU.

“The efforts should be focused on preventing diseases, not only on treating them, through healthy eating, more awareness and a more active way of life. Policies on nutrition, public health and support for regional economies are closely linked.

We will keep working so that the voice of small and medium-sized enterprises is heard ever more clearly in European decisions. Because they are precisely the backbone of the European economy,” Kristian Vigenin noted.