EU presents roadmap for farming and agri-food sector

The European Commission presented its Vision for Agriculture and Food, an ambitious roadmap on the future of farming and food in Europe. This roadmap sets the stage for an attractive, competitive, resilient, future-oriented, and fair agri-food system for current and future generations of farmers and agri-food operators.

Later in 2025, the Commission will propose a comprehensive simplification package for the current agricultural legislative framework, along with an EU digital strategy for agriculture to support the transition to digital-ready farming.

The Vision outlines four priority areas:

• An attractive sector: The sector must offer stability, fair incomes, and targeted support to encourage young people to enter the profession. Farmers should benefit from innovation, new business models, and complementary income sources such as carbon and nature credits. Actions will include a review of unfair trading practices and a Generational Renewal Strategy by 2025.
• A competitive and resilient sector: The EU will prioritize food security and sovereignty, ensuring fair trade practices and alignment of production standards for imported goods. The Commission will assess the impact of greater coherences in standards on banned pesticides and animal welfare and reinforce food safety enforcement. The focus on livestock will be reinforced to foster the long-term future of the sector.
• A future-proof sector: The vision recognizes the need to reconcile climate action with food security and the sector's specific challenges. Farmers should be rewarded for adopting nature-friendly practices. The Commission will consider any further ban on the use of pesticides if alternatives are not available in a reasonable time and will streamline access to biopesticides in the EU market. The Commission will also develop a voluntary benchmarking system to help farmers measure and improve their farm-level performance. A Water Resilience Strategy will also be prepared.
• Fair living and working conditions in rural areas: An updated Rural Action Plan will ensure vibrant, functional rural areas. A yearly Food Dialogue will address issues like food affordability and innovation. Reducing food waste and addressing societal concerns for animal welfare will also be closely looked at by the Commission.