Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture Farmers are crucial for our present and future Thanks to Europe’s agri-food sector, 450 million people have access to safe, healthy, and affordable food. EU farmers are the backbone of Europe’s food self-sufficiency, and vital drivers of jobs and sustainable growth in rural areas. They are making a central contribution to our collective green transition. At the same time, they face challenges, such as climate change and a competitive global market. They have shown remarkable resilience throughout a pandemic, an energy crisis, the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and high inflation. 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. Productivityis under severe pressure by climate change, and severe weatherMore than 17 million peopleworking in agriculture in the EU57 years oldAverage age of EU farmers Conclusion of the Strategic Dialogue Announced by President von der Leyen in her State of the Union address in September 2023 and launched in January 2024, the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture brought together 29 major stakeholders from the European agri-food sectors, civil society, rural communities and academia to reach a common understanding and vision for the future of EU's farming and food systems. On 4 September 2024, President von der Leyen received the final report of the Strategic Dialogue, handed over by the group's chair, Professor Peter Strohschneider. Titled “A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe”, the report presents an assessment of challenges and opportunities, followed by a set of recommendations.Find out more about the Dialogue, its meetings and participants What the EU is doing on agriculture The European Commission has already launched a 5-year support system for farmers in the form of a new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 2023. This received €300 billion in funding and includes stronger incentives to help our farmers adopt more sustainable and more resilient practices. Farmers will be paid extra for their yield if they also store carbon.In their CAP strategic plans, Member States are directing stronger levels of support to those who need it most. For example, more than 10% of EU direct payments, representing €4 billion annually, will be re-allocated to smaller farms. We have also increased emergency support for natural disasters and price shocks.In 2023 alone, Europe provided exceptional assistance of over €500 million to farmers most affected by crises.Organic agriculture in the Netherlands In response to farmers’ concerns, the Commission has presented options to reduce the administrative burden on EU farmers, and is working on actions to improve the position of farmers in the food chain and to improve the enforcement against unfair trading practices. It has also launched two surveys: a first one where farmers and all smaller suppliers across the food supply chain can share their views on their experience with unfair trading practices, and a second one to gather farmers' views on simplifying certain rules and procedures.In February 2025 the Commission presented a new vision for the future of farming and food production in the EU, which builds on the conclusions of the Strategic Dialogue. Its aim is to build a stronger, more innovative food system that benefits both farmers and consumers, and create an attractive, competitive, resilient and future-proof sector that values food and people. Related links Agriculture in the EUCAP Strategic Plans 2023-2027EU actions to address farmers’ concerns
Announced by President von der Leyen in her State of the Union address in September 2023 and launched in January 2024, the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture brought together 29 major stakeholders from the European agri-food sectors, civil society, rural communities and academia to reach a common understanding and vision for the future of EU's farming and food systems. On 4 September 2024, President von der Leyen received the final report of the Strategic Dialogue, handed over by the group's chair, Professor Peter Strohschneider. Titled “A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe”, the report presents an assessment of challenges and opportunities, followed by a set of recommendations.Find out more about the Dialogue, its meetings and participants
The European Commission has already launched a 5-year support system for farmers in the form of a new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 2023. This received €300 billion in funding and includes stronger incentives to help our farmers adopt more sustainable and more resilient practices. Farmers will be paid extra for their yield if they also store carbon.In their CAP strategic plans, Member States are directing stronger levels of support to those who need it most. For example, more than 10% of EU direct payments, representing €4 billion annually, will be re-allocated to smaller farms. We have also increased emergency support for natural disasters and price shocks.In 2023 alone, Europe provided exceptional assistance of over €500 million to farmers most affected by crises.Organic agriculture in the Netherlands
