Good morning, everyone.
This morning, the College adopted the Vision on Agriculture and Food: Shaping Together an Attractive Farming and Agri-Food Sector for Future Generations.
We will briefly present it together with Commissioner Hansen.
The past years have been extremely challenging for everyone. However, the agricultural sector has suffered even more due to its vulnerability to events and market fluctuations.
This sentiment was strongly expressed through demonstrations across Europe, including in Brussels, calling on the European Commission for dialogue and action.
The Vision adopted today encompasses strategic actions for the agriculture and food sectors and is the first clear response to that call for help. It highlights the Commissions strong commitment to the agri-food sector.
In shaping the agriculture of the future, the Commission started from a few simple, yet crucial principles:
- Farming and food are strategic sectors for the Union. European food security and sovereignty are non-negotiable.
- Food is a key part of our economic competitiveness. The EU is the worlds largest agri-food exporter.
- Farming works with nature. Farmers are part of the solution, not the problem. They play a vital role in protecting and enhancing our natural resources, including soil, water, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
With this in mind, the Commissions purpose is to collaborate with the agri-food sector to ensure it remains competitive, resilient, attractive for future generations, and profitable.
Commissioner Hansen, whom I thank for his excellent work, will outline the roadmap to achieve these goals.
Before that, I would like to highlight some key cross-cutting strategic elements included in the Vision, which define and reflect the political will of the Commission.
These elements will continue to guide the Commission and the agricultural sector working hand in hand in developing the future policies.
- Our new approach: The Vision commits to a new way of working - building trust and fostering dialogue across the entire value chain. Our Strategic Dialogue is fully operational, and we will enhance it further. Dialogue must extend deeper at the local level, engaging more effectively with farmers, food chain operators, and civil society across Europe. We will listen to their concerns and ideas.
- Tailored solutions: We will propose simple, innovative, and customized solutions. Policies must be adapted to global, regional, and national needs, assuming a territorial approach. Protecting diversity means avoiding a one-size-fits-all strategy, instead opting for targeted solutions that enhance both competitiveness and sustainability.
- Local dimension: Re-establishing the link between food, territory, seasonality, and local traditions is crucial. Local authorities are often best placed to lead initiatives shaping favorable food environments. The success of the valorization of the local dimension is shown by the Geographical Indications (GIs). The Commission will continue promoting Geographical Indications as a powerful tool for European producers to enhance the value of their food and beverage products, preserve culinary heritage across Member States, and stimulate growth and employment in rural areas.