Author: Miranda Garcia (AEIDL)
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen was presented with the final report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture. The report, titled “A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe”, was handed over by the chair of the group, Professor Peter Strohschneider. The document offers an assessment of challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector, along with a set of recommendations directed at the European Commission, the European Parliament, Member States, and key stakeholders.
The findings and proposals will guide the Commission as it shapes its Vision for Agriculture and Food, an initiative to be delivered in the first 100 days of President von der Leyen’s second mandate. This vision aims to set the direction for EU agricultural policy, balancing sustainability, competitiveness, and resilience.
Since its formation in January 2024, the Strategic Dialogue has been working to address the issues facing the EU’s agri-food sector. The 29 members of the group, representing various stakeholders across the agri-food chain, have worked collaboratively, with the final report receiving unanimous endorsement.
The report highlights the critical role of agriculture in European society, both for its cultural diversity and its contribution to food security. It identifies five key pillars for action:
- Sustainability and competitiveness: Proposals include adapting the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to support sustainable practices, strengthening the position of farmers in the value chain, and ensuring access to finance.
- Sustainable agri-food systems: Recommendations advocate for the promotion of sustainable farming practices, particularly in livestock, and raising consumer awareness of animal welfare and sustainable diets.
- Transformative resilience: In light of rising environmental and geopolitical risks, the report calls for stronger risk and crisis management tools, water-resilient farming, and innovative plant breeding approaches.
- Attracting talent and ensuring diversity: This section emphasises the need for generational renewal, gender equality, and the protection of rural workers.
- Innovation and knowledge sharing: The report stresses the importance of improving access to knowledge and embracing digitalisation as a means to drive innovation.
For further details, you can access the full report and related documents on the European Commission’s website.
