Photo by Erwan Hesry on Unsplash
A major new report voices optimism about the future of the troubled agricultural sector in Europe.
This is despite concerns voiced by farmers in the recent past that the industry attracted insufficient support at national and EU level.
The report, by the 29 members of the EU’s “Strategic Dialogue”, says that a consensus can be built among key interests from across the whole agri-food chain.
This, it goes on to say, can be done even in times of polarisation around the public debate on agri-food issues.
The exhaustive report states, “Maintaining this approach, by continuing to foster dialogue and mutual trust between different points of view can help to deliver lasting solutions for competitive, resilient, diverse and sustainable agri-food systems in the EU.”
Entitled “A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe”, the report presents an assessment of challenges and opportunities facing the sector, followed by a set of recommendations.
These suggestions aim to guide the work of the European Commission when shaping its “Vision for Agriculture and Food” to be delivered in the first 100 days of EC president Ursula von der Leyen’s second mandate.
The Commission says it will closely assess the report’s recommendations.
These include the establishment of a new platform, gathering actors from across the agri-food sector, civil society and the world of science.
The Dialogue’s report states that food and agricultural production are an “essential part of European society and security, and that the diversity of European food and farming is an important asset.”
There is consensus among members of the Strategic Dialogue that economic, environmental and social sustainability in the agri-food sector can reinforce each other.
Commenting on the work of the group, von der Leyen said, “I warmly congratulate the members of the Strategic Dialogue for their important work.
“The outcome of this Strategic Dialogue shows that it’s possible to move beyond a polarised debate and create trust among very diverse stakeholders.”
She added, “The Commission will now take a careful look at their ideas.”
“We all want a thriving food and farming sector across our continent, that rewards our farmers, citizens and precious natural heritage. With this report, we have a very solid foundation for the development of a new vision for food and farming in Europe. As we go forward we should keep the good spirit, energy and the relationships forged during the Strategic Dialogue.”
Professor Peter Strohschneider, Chairman of the Strategic Dialogue, said, “After seven months of intensive work, the members of the Strategic Dialogue agreed on a shared conceptual consensus for the future of farming and food in Europe, through a new culture of mutual understanding and communication.
“These joint perspectives, agreed by a diverse and representative group of stakeholders in this sector, form a holistic and societal approach to addressing the EU’s environmental, climate, economic and socio-political goals.”
He added, “It is my profound hope that the energy, ingenuity and collegiality of the Strategic Dialogue can be maintained for similar purposes in the future.”
