Posted on September, 06 2024

After months of debate within the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture, farmers’ unions, industry, NGOs and other key stakeholders have achieved a groundbreaking consensus, sending a clear message to EU decision-makers: Business as usual is not an option.  Despite starting from widely differing positions, the parties have reached key compromises that, if implemented, could bring long overdue social, economic, and environmental sustainability to European food supply chains.

Commenting on their agreements, Giulia Riedo, Sustainable Farming Policy Officer at the WWF European Policy Office, said: “While some areas may not fully meet the high ambitions of the Farm to Fork Strategy, this consensus represents a significant step forward. Both farmers and environmental NGOs have aligned on a crucial point: our food and farming systems must become more sustainable and fair for both producers and consumers. The European Commission can no longer justify rolling back environmental measures in agricultural policy. Ursula von der Leyen must ensure these agreements are reflected in upcoming legislation, including the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy."

In a report released last week, which concludes seven months of debate, the groups have agreed to the following key measures:

• Income support targeted at active farmers who need it most, moving away from area-based payments.
• Incentives to reduce the consumption of animal-based proteins in favor of plant-based diets.
• A significant increase in the budget for payments supporting ecosystem services.
• Establishment of a Just Transition Fund, separate from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
• A commitment to uphold and enforce existing environmental legislation (e.g., the Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive, Nitrates Directive, and Nature Restoration Law) alongside a call for the creation of a Nature Restoration Fund, independent of the CAP, to kickstart the restoration of natural ecosystems.)

In September 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen launched the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture to ensure a sustainable course for the sector and address growing polarisation. This report is intended to provide a solid foundation for the development of a new vision for food and farming in Europe, which is expected next spring.