Commission presents its roadmap for a thriving EU farming and agri-food sector

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

Today, the Commission is presenting its Vision for Agriculture and Food, an ambitious roadmap on the future of farming and food in Europe. This roadmap sets the stage for an attractive, competitive, resilient, future-oriented and fair agri-food system for current and future generations of farmers and agri-food operators.

Simplifying further our policies and increasing the uptake of innovation and digitalisation are pre-requisites to all actions outlined in the Vision. Later in 2025, the Commission will propose a comprehensive simplification package for the current agricultural legislative framework, along with an EU digital strategy for agriculture to support the transition to digital-ready farming.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: “Our farmers take centre stage in the EU’s food production system. It is thanks to their daily, hard work that all of us have safe and high-quality food. Yet, our farmers face the growing challenges of global competition and climate change. That is why today, we are offering a comprehensive strategy that makes farming more attractive, more resilient and more sustainable.”

The Vision outlines four priority areas:

• An attractive sector: Farming must have the necessary stability to encourage young people to enter the profession, including through fair incomes and better-targeted public support. They also need to be actively supported to reap the benefits of innovation and new business models, including from carbon and nature credits, as complementary sources of income. The Commission is committed to ensuring that farmers are not forced to systematically sell their products below production costs, and will take concrete action to that end, including through the review of the Unfair Trading Practices Directive. The Commission will also present a Generational Renewal Strategy in 2025, with recommendations on measures needed both at the EU and national/regional level to address the barriers to young and new people entering the profession.
• A competitive and resilient sector: The EU will continue to prioritise food security and sovereignty in various ways. Trade negotiations and agreements will be used to their full extent, while protecting the interests of European farmers. The Vision also responds to the requests of farmers, citizens and society at large for a stronger alignment of production standards for imported products to guarantee that the EU’s ambitious standards do not lead to competitive disadvantage, while in line with international rules. For this reason, the Commission will start taking steps in 2025 to assess the impact of greater coherences in standards when it comes to the hazardous pesticides banned in the EU and on animal welfare. Additionally, the rigorous enforcement and controls of food safety standards remains a non-negotiable priority. The Commission will reinforce its focus on livestock to foster the long-term future of the sector.  
• A future-proof sector: Europe’s agricultural sector plays an important role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The vision recognises the need to reconcile climate action with food security and the specific challenges faced by the sector.  Farmers should be rewarded for adopting nature-friendly practices. In this context, the Commission will carefully consider any further ban on the use of pesticides if alternatives are not available in a reasonable time and will streamline access to biopesticides in the EU market. The Commission will also develop a voluntary benchmarking system, the ‘on-farm sustainability compass’, to help farmers measure and improve their farm-level performance. A Water Resilience Strategy will also be prepared to address the pressing need for more efficient water uses.
• Fair living and working conditions in rural areas: The Commission will come forward with an updated Rural Action Plan to ensure that rural areas remain vibrant, functional, and deeply linked to the EU’s cultural and natural heritage.  An annual Food Dialogue will also be launched with a broad range of actors, including consumers, farmers, industry and public authorities to find solutions for issues such as food affordability and innovation. Reducing food waste and addressing societal concerns for animal welfare will also be closely looked at by the Commission going forward.

Looking ahead, the future common agricultural policy (CAP), as part of the upcoming MFF proposal, will be simpler and more targeted, with support more directed towards farmers who actively engage in food production, with a particular focus on young farmers and those farming in areas of natural constraints. Incentives, rather than conditions, will be favoured.

Background

The Vision for Agriculture and Food was proposed as a priority initiative for the first 100 days of this Commission’s mandate, led by Executive Vice-President Fitto and Commissioner Hansen, under the guidance of President von der Leyen. Building on the report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, and in consultation with the European Board for Agriculture and Food, the Vision aims to secure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the EU’s farming and food sector. Based on the latest Eurobarometer results, EU citizens overwhelmingly agree that securing a stable food supply in the EU at all times is essential.