On February 19, 2025, the European Commission presented the Vision for Agriculture and Food, an ambitious plan for the future of the European agri-food sector. This vision aims to create an attractive, competitive, resilient, and fair agri-food system for present and future generations.
Key Priorities of the Vision
-
An Attractive Agri-Food Sector
- Supporting fair incomes for farmers and transparency in the food supply chain.
- Creating better conditions for young farmers and fostering generational renewal.
- Strengthening farmers’ position in supply chains.
- Rewarding farmers for providing ecosystem services.
-
Competitiveness and Sector Resilience
- Diversifying trade relations and expanding export opportunities.
- Reducing bureaucratic burdens for farmers and food businesses.
- Strengthening legal standards for imported food to prevent unfair competition.
- Supporting technological innovation and maintaining Europe’s global market leadership.
-
Sustainability and Climate Adaptation
- Ensuring the transition to carbon-neutral agriculture by 2040.
- Supporting regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming practices.
- Implementing a water resilience strategy to protect soil and water resources.
- Expanding support for carbon farming and ecological incentives.
-
Improving Conditions in Rural Areas
- Promoting social sustainability and the attractiveness of rural areas.
- Establishing the European Platform for Women in Agriculture.
- Supporting short supply chains and regional products.
- Raising consumer awareness through information campaigns.
Goals and Measures
To achieve these goals, the Commission proposes:
- Simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
- Reforming rules on unfair trading practices.
- Creating a Bioeconomy Strategy and an investment program for the agri-food sector.
- Establishing a European Agricultural Land Observatory.
- Supporting the digital transformation of agriculture.
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, emphasized that this plan outlines a path to address the many challenges faced by European farmers while ensuring that agriculture remains an attractive and profitable sector that can attract younger generations.
Interesting Insights
- The vision emphasizes aligning climate measures with food security and the specific challenges of the sector. Farmers should be rewarded for adopting environmentally friendly practices.
- The Commission plans to strengthen its focus on livestock farming to support the future of this sector.
This vision sets a clear direction for a sustainable and prosperous future for European agriculture, reflecting the needs of farmers, consumers, and the entire food supply network. Its implementation will be crucial to enhancing the sector’s competitiveness and sustainability by 2040.