b"DEVELOPING AN AGRI-FOOD SYSTEM FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONSEUROPES AMBITIOUS VISION FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD.BY: MARCEL BRUINSM id-February, the EU Commission presented its VisionA Competitive and Resilient Sector: The EU will for Agriculture and Food, an ambitious roadmapcontinue to prioritise food security and sovereignty in various on the future of farming and food in Europe. Thisways. Trade negotiations and agreements will be used to their roadmap sets the stage for an attractive, competitive, resilient,full extent, while protecting the interests of European farmers. future-oriented and fair agri-food system for current and futureThe Vision also responds to the requests of farmers, citizens and generations of farmers and agri-food operators. society at large for a stronger alignment of production standards This Vision for Agriculture and Food was proposed as afor imported products to guarantee that the EU's ambitious priority initiative for the first 100 days of this Commission'sstandards do not lead to competitive disadvantage, while in mandate, led by Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto andline with international rules. For this reason, the Commission Commissioner Cristophe Hansen, under the guidance ofwill start taking steps in 2025 to assess the impact of greater President Ursula von der Leyen. Building on the report of thecoherences in standards when it comes to the hazardous pesti-Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, and incides banned in the EU and on animal welfare. Additionally, consultation with the European Board for Agriculture andthe rigorous enforcement and controls of food safety standards Food (EBAF), the Vision aims to secure the long-term com- remains a non-negotiable priority. The Commission will rein-petitiveness and sustainability of the EU's farming and foodforce its focus on livestock to foster the long-term future of the sector. Based on the latest Eurobarometer results, EU citizenssector.overwhelmingly agree that securing a stable food supply in theA Future-proof Sector: Europe's agricultural sector EU at all times is essential. plays an important role in the transition to a low-carbon econ-von der Leyen, President of the European Commission,omy. The Vision recognises the need to reconcile climate action said: Our farmers take centre stage in the EU's food produc- with food security and the specific challenges faced by the sector. tion system. It is thanks to their daily, hard work that all of usFarmers should be rewarded for adopting nature-friendly prac-have safe and high-quality food. Yet, our farmers face the grow- tices. In this context, the Commission will carefully consider ing challenges of global competition and climate change. That isany further ban on the use of pesticides if alternatives are not why today, we are offering a comprehensive strategy that makesavailable in a reasonable time and will streamline access to bio-farming more attractive, more resilient and more sustainable. pesticides in the EU market. The Commission will also develop a voluntary benchmarking system, the on-farm sustainability FOUR PRIORITY AREAS compass', to help farmers measure and improve their farm-level An Attractive Sector: Farming must have the necessaryperformance. A Water Resilience Strategy will also be prepared stability to encourage young people to enter the profession,to address the pressing need for more efficient water uses.including through fair incomes and better-targeted publicFair Living and Working Conditions in Rural Areas: support. They also need to be actively supported to reap theThe Commission will come forward with an updated Rural benefits of innovation and new business models, includingAction Plan to ensure that rural areas remain vibrant, func-from carbon and nature credits, as complementary sources oftional, and deeply linked to the EU's cultural and natural her-income. The Commission is committed to ensuring that farm- itage. An annual Food Dialogue will also be launched with a ers are not forced to systematically sell their products belowbroad range of actors, including consumers, farmers, industry production costs, and will take concrete action to that end,and public authorities to find solutions for issues such as food including through the review of the Unfair Trading Practicesaffordability and innovation. Reducing food waste and address-Directive. The Commission will also present a Generationaling societal concerns for animal welfare will also be closely Renewal Strategy in 2025, with recommendations on measureslooked at by the Commission going forward.needed both at the EU and national/regional level to addressLooking ahead, the future common agricultural policy the barriers to young and new people entering the profession. (CAP), as part of the upcoming MFF (Multiannual Financial 18ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE | MAY 2025"