Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture offers its final report to EU Commission President von der Leyen.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen received the final report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, given by the group’s chair, Professor Peter Strohschneider. Entitled “A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe”, the report offers an assessment of challenges and opportunities, pursued by a set of recommendations. These recommendations will guide the work of the European Commission when shaping its Vision for Agriculture and Food, to be furnished in the first 100 days of President von der Leyen’s second mandate.
According to the European Commission, it welcomes the important work accomplished by the 29 members of the Strategic Dialogue since its takeoff by President von der Leyen in January 2024, and the constructive attention they have shown throughout the entire process, to finalise – and unanimously support – the final report. The report outcome indicates that consensus can be built among essential interests from across the whole agri-food chain, even in times of polarisation near the public debate on agri-food issues.
How Can the EU Agriculture Vision Be Enhanced?
The commission states that maintaining this procedure, by continuing to promote dialogue and mutual trust between different points of view can support to delivery of lasting solutions for competitive, resilient, diverse and sustainable agri-food systems in the EU. The Commission will thus closely assess the report’s recommendations to appoint a new platform gathering actors from across the agri-food sector, civil society and the world of science to uphold reflecting on strategies to drive agri-food systems more sustainable and resilient.
The Dialogue’s report assesses that food and agricultural production are an integral part of European society and security and that the diversity of European food and agriculture is an important asset. There is agreement among members of the Strategic Dialogue that economic, environmental and social sustainability in the agri-food sector can support each other, especially when backed by coherent policy measures. The function of markets, dietary habits and innovation to drive sustainability is also pointed out.
What Are the Recommendations for Sustainable Food Systems?
The recommendations detailed in the report include working together for a sustainable, resilient and competitive future: this feature addresses the need to adjust the CAP in the context of the ongoing evolution towards more sustainable and competitive food systems, the significance of strengthening farmers’ role in the food value chain, access to finance, and the position of trade and international standards.
How Will the Report Influence Future Agri-Food Policies?
Progressing towards sustainable agri-food systems: the proposals under this heading dive into the support and advancement of sustainable farming practices, including livestock agriculture, and advocate for improved awareness about animal welfare and authorisation of consumers to choose sustainable and balanced diets.
How Can Innovation Drive Agri-Food Sector Resilience?
Promoting transformative resilience: in the face of increasing environmental, climate, geopolitical and economic risks, the report summarises the need to strengthen risk management tools and crisis management as well as to sufficiently preserve and manage farmland, boost water-resilient agriculture, and develop innovative plant breeding approaches.
Building an engaging and diverse sector: the extent of generational renewal and gender equality as well as vibrant rural areas and agri-food systems is described in this section, including the need to protect workers. The report created by the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture is handled to the European Commission, the European Parliament, Member States and stakeholders.
