Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received the final report from the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture in the European Union.
Presented by Professor Peter Strohschneider, the report, titled "A Common Perspective on Agriculture and Food in Europe," outlines both challenges and opportunities within the sector and offers key recommendations that will shape the Commission’s Vision on Agriculture and Food, set to be unveiled within the first 100 days of von der Leyen's second term.
Origins of the Strategic Dialogue
The strategic dialogue was launched in January 2024, following President von der Leyen’s announcement in her 2023 State of the Union address. Its goal was to bring together key stakeholders from the agri-food world, civil society, rural communities, and academia to address pressing issues in agriculture and food production. The group included twenty-nine members representing these sectors, and their work aimed to form a unified vision for the future of the EU’s agricultural system. Despite the polarizing nature of many agri-food issues, the report reflects broad consensus on the main challenges and opportunities ahead.
Key Findings and Themes
The document emphasizes the critical role agriculture plays in ensuring food security and supporting the broader European society. It highlights the need for a sustainable, resilient, and competitive agricultural system that balances economic, social, and environmental goals. Central to this vision is the belief that sustainability and competitiveness can go hand in hand, provided that policies are coherent and appropriate. The report’s recommendations are organized into five key pillars, each addressing different aspects of the future of European agriculture.
Pillar 1: Cooperation for a Sustainable, Resilient, and Competitive Future
The first pillar stresses the need for cooperation at all levels to build a future-proof agri-food sector. The report advocates for adapting the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to better support the transition towards sustainability and competitiveness. It also calls for improving farmers' positions within the value chain, facilitating access to finance, and enhancing international trade while ensuring compliance with global standards.
Pillar 2: Transition to Sustainable Agri-Food Systems
This section of the report highlights the importance of promoting sustainable agricultural practices across sectors, including livestock and animal welfare. It stresses the role of consumers in choosing sustainable diets and calls for public policies that encourage responsible consumption habits.
Pillar 3: Fostering Transformative Resilience
As environmental, climatic, and geopolitical risks continue to rise, the report underscores the importance of strengthening risk management tools and promoting innovative plant breeding techniques. Protecting agricultural land and enhancing resilience to crises are key priorities in this area. The report sees innovation as crucial for addressing these challenges.
Pillar 4: Creating an Attractive and Diverse Agricultural Sector
To ensure the long-term sustainability of European agriculture, the report highlights the importance of generational renewal, gender equality, and revitalizing rural areas. It emphasizes the need to protect workers’ rights and improve working conditions in the agricultural sector to make it an attractive field for future generations.
Pillar 5: Enhancing Knowledge and Innovation
The final pillar focuses on the transformative potential of knowledge, innovation, and digitalization. It encourages the adoption of new technologies that can improve efficiency and sustainability in agriculture. Digital tools, smart farming, and access to research are seen as essential for the sector’s modernization.
Guiding Future EU Agricultural Policies
This report serves as a foundational document for shaping the European Commission’s agricultural policies in the years to come. It will inform the Commission's Vision on Agriculture and Food, to be presented early in von der Leyen's second term, and provide guidance for EU Member States and other stakeholders in the sector.
To ensure these recommendations are put into action, the Commission plans to establish a new dialogue platform that will bring together civil society, industry leaders, and the scientific community. The goal is to foster ongoing collaboration in designing strategies that bolster sustainability and resilience within the European agri-food sector.
Strategic Dialogue’s Broader Impact
The strategic dialogue addressed four critical questions during its meetings, each of which speaks to broader challenges facing the agri-food sector. The first focused on improving the prospects of farmers and rural communities, particularly how to ensure a fair standard of living for them. The second addressed the need to balance agricultural development with environmental sustainability. The third explored how to leverage knowledge and technological innovation to modernize the sector, while the fourth focused on promoting a competitive future for Europe’s food system in an increasingly globalized world.
Throughout the dialogue, plenary sessions and working groups allowed for in-depth discussion of these key issues. President von der Leyen was actively involved in several meetings, and Professor Strohschneider met with a range of stakeholders to ensure broad representation and inclusivity in the report.
A Blueprint for Sustainable Agricultural Growth
The strategic dialogue on agriculture and food in the EU has delivered a comprehensive framework for addressing the sector's challenges. By promoting collaboration, sustainability, innovation, and resilience, the recommendations outlined in "A Common Perspective on Agriculture and Food in Europe" provide a clear path forward. As the European Commission prepares to unveil its Vision on Agriculture and Food, the report will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of European agriculture, ensuring the sector remains competitive, resilient, and sustainable in the years to come.