The priorities for the future of European agriculture have been summarised in a document published by Belgium, which this week concluded its six-month Presidency of the EU Council before handing over to Hungary.
The document, titled Presidency Conclusions on the future of agriculture in the EU, was agreed by all member states except for Romania, which voted against it, and Slovakia, which abstained. The document notes that various climate-friendly agricultural practices can provide solutions to environmental and climatic challenges.
“The message here is crystal clear. If we are to make further progress on reducing our emissions, we need to actively embrace plant proteins in the EU”
The document, published by the Belgian Presidency, suggests in paragraph 23 that farmers have made progress in helping the EU achieve its climate, biodiversity, environmental, animal welfare, and other sustainability objectives.
Said paragraph states that “various climate-friendly agricultural practices can provide solutions to environmental and climatic challenges, including through carbon farming [and calls for] enhanced attention to the availability and diversification of plant protein sources in the Union”.
Key points
The Presidency’s conclusions on the future of agriculture in the EU, following the Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries meeting on June 24, 2024, emphasize the strategic role of agriculture in ensuring food security and autonomy. The key points are:
- Strategic Importance and Sustainability: Agriculture is crucial for food security and sustainability amidst challenges like climate change and geopolitical tensions.
- CAP Objectives: The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must address fair income for farmers, market stability, and reasonable consumer prices, while adapting to environmental challenges.
- Farmer Dissatisfaction: Farmers’ concerns include low income, high costs, complex regulations, and the need for a level playing field.
- CAP Stability: A stable regulatory framework is necessary for a competitive and resilient agricultural sector.
- Strategic Dialogue: The European Commission’s dialogue on the future of agriculture aims to balance agricultural and green transition debates.
- Food Systems Approach: Policies must integrate all food chain actors to ensure affordable, sustainable food production.
- Financial Resources: Adequate CAP funding is crucial for meeting its objectives and ensuring fair distribution among Member States.
- Rural Development: Agriculture supports rural cohesion and economic strength, requiring support for small farms and women’s roles in rural areas.
- Fair Farmer Income: Farmers need improved income through better food chain positioning and market opportunities.
- EU Agri-Food Chain Observatory: Strengthening farmers’ positions in the food chain and ensuring fair remuneration is essential.
- Trade Policies: A fair, rules-based trading system with health and safety standards is vital for EU agricultural exports and imports.
- EU Enlargement: Future enlargements must consider agricultural impacts to avoid market disruption.
- Resilience: Enhancing farming resilience to market volatility, geopolitical issues, and climate change is critical.
- Innovation and Cooperation: Research in sustainable practices and innovation is key, supported by investment and knowledge exchange.
- Regulatory Simplification: Reducing administrative burdens and ensuring a stable regulatory framework for farmers is necessary.
- Support for Young Farmers: Facilitating access to land and credit for new and young farmers is important for generational renewal.
- Climate Change and Environment: Sustainable practices and ecosystem preservation are essential for long-term food security and agricultural resilience.
- Incentives for Sustainability: Supporting farmers in adopting sustainable practices through incentives is crucial.
- Public and Private Support: Both CAP and other instruments should aid farmers in meeting environmental and climate goals.
- Future Policies: The next Commission must address these issues in its agricultural policies.
“This is a welcome step and shows how the importance of plant-based food production is climbing the political ladder of priorities in Europe,” comments Lucia Hortelano, EU Senior Policy Manager at ProVeg International.
“A third of global greenhouse gases come from the food system, and most of that is from animal agriculture. By acknowledging the potential of plant proteins in tackling emissions, the EU can promote the critically needed shift towards more plant-rich diets. This will ensure it leads the world on a pathway towards more sustainable food systems, providing food security for everyone.
“The message here is crystal clear. If we are to make further progress on reducing our emissions, we need to actively embrace plant proteins in the EU. The good thing is that the EU consumers are behind this transition, with most Europeans now actively reducing their meat consumption,” Hortelano concludes.