The Committee of Professional Agricultural Organizations and the General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives in the EU, Copa-Cogeca, presented on September 4th to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the conclusions of the “Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture,” a document that follows up on the one presented by the president herself in 2023 and which is now relevant again with conclusions on key aspects of the agricultural and food sector.
This report represents the first step toward developing a “vision for the agri-food sector,” as announced by the Commission President last July, and is complemented by a series of recommendations that, they indicate, “must be urgently implemented.”
The initial version of the document was created as a response to the EU’s “Farm to Fork Strategy,” which was being followed by the European Union at the time. Therefore, the report aims to re-establish a real dialogue between the Commission and the sector.
So far, debates have focused on critical issues to avoid political stances and polarization, under the leadership of Professor Strohschneider.
As reported in a statement by Copa and Cogeca, the dialogue’s conclusions, presented by Professor Strohschneider, indicate that consensus has been reached regarding the recognition of agriculture and food as strategic sectors for Europe. Additionally, it highlights the urgent need to protect food security and the commitment to competitive sustainability, and a shift in methodology is also recognized.
European farmers and agricultural cooperatives are advocating for a coherent trade policy and are calling on the Commission to emphasize the importance of agriculture and food products during trade negotiations, especially considering their relevance in current discussions on the EU-Mercosur agreement.
Similarly, among the report’s most relevant conclusions is the emphasis on financing the necessary transitions, either through a “dedicated and fair budget for the CAP,” a “Just Transition Fund,” or a “robust nature restoration fund” separate from the CAP, also including the option of strengthening public-private partnerships to mobilize capital.
Recommendations to strengthen policies and remove agricultural obstacles
The report also offers recommendations aimed at strengthening farmers’ positions in the European value chain, increasing transparency, ending unfair trading practices, and promoting the cooperative model.
Another critical set of recommendations focuses on land management, ending net land take by 2050, creating a European Observatory on Agricultural Land, generational renewal, a specific action plan for this goal, bioeconomy, water and risk management, and access to innovation.
To overcome these challenges, it has been proposed to establish a European Agri-Food Systems Committee, acting as a high-level forum for the exchanges already taking place at the European level. They are calling for greater transparency and more participation from farmers and agricultural cooperatives.
Initial reactions
COGECA President Lennart Nilson stated that he was “particularly pleased” that the Strategic Dialogue “recognizes the importance of the role of our cooperatives in strengthening farmers’ positions in the value chain,” adding that this helped to “promote agricultural competitiveness in our sectors.”
“This report should be seen as the beginning of a constructive process that will lead to a more balanced strategic vision for agriculture under Ursula von der Leyen’s mandate,” said COPA President Christiane Lambert, who added that this dialogue should involve both the European Parliament and the Commission. “In the coming days and weeks, numerous stakeholders will share their thoughts on the report, and the Commission must listen to them,” she concluded.
Copa-Cogeca website: https://www.copa-cogeca.eu/
