This week’s key events presented by Euronews’ senior agriculture and health reporter Gerardo Fortuna.
Key diary dates
- Monday 17 February: European Parliament’s special committee on European Democracy Shield to discuss Romania and Germany.
- Wednesday 19 February: European Commission to present its ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’.
- Wednesday 19 February: European Parliament exchange of views with the Commission on US trade restrictions on AI chips exports and state of play of EU/US trade relations.
In spotlight
Watch out for the European Commission’s upcoming communication, set to be unveiled on Wednesday, outlining a vision for Europe’s agri-food system in 2024.
This paper is expected to replace the much-criticised ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy. However, a leaked draft of the document last week has left many underwhelmed, as it appears far from ambitious despite its high-sounding title.
For instance, much of the content expected to be announced—such as EU strategies for protein production and farmers’ generational renewal—has already been in circulation for some time.In the leaked document, the Commission acknowledges that several topics remain sensitive and struggle to gain societal consensus, particularly concerning livestock and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
While the document demonstrates goodwill in addressing the critical issue of ensuring a fair standard of living for Europe’s agricultural community, its approach to farming subsidies is particularly disappointing.
It lacks fresh ideas and instead reiterates old, yet unrealised, proposals such as degressivity and capping—measures aimed at making subsidy distribution fairer by allocating more funds to small farmers and less to large agricultural enterprises.
On the other hand, the document suggests a stronger policy stance on Europe’s strategic autonomy by prioritising the production of essential agricultural products to enhance food sovereignty.
A key principle of the next CAP will be then directing more support toward farmers who actively contribute to food security—a position influenced by the centre-right European People’s Party, to which both Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are affiliated.
The document maintains a balanced stance on trade despite concerns over looming conflicts. It emphasises the importance of diversifying trade relationships, fostering new export opportunities, and reducing critical dependencies.
All of these measures fall under the EU’s latest buzzword: simplification, beginning with efforts to streamline the implementation of CAP policies.
The previous Farm to Fork strategy, though highly ambitious and, in some cases, difficult to implement—such as the goal of halving pesticide use by 2030—was at least direct.
The new vision, by comparison, seems to lack the same level of decisiveness and ambition. If the goal is to envision the future of farming in 2040, the approach needs to be bolder while the current draft appears too mild or, at best, transitional.
Policy newsmakers
Call for root-and-branch review
Chief of Federation of Austrian Industries, Christoph Neumayer and Chamber of Commerce chief Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, called on the EU executive to roll back Green Deal regulations in its ongoing war on red tape, while the European insurance industry lobby has also weighed into the debate.
