Von der Leyen will start strategic dialogue with food sector on 25 January

Thirty European food chain organisations covering the entire chain have received an official invitation for a strategic dialogue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 25 January, industry sources told Euractiv.

Von der Leyen first announced the initiative in her State of the Union address on 13 September, when she stressed that we need “more dialogue and less polarisation” in the political debate on food systems. At the EU Agri-Food Days conference on 6 December, she reiterated the announcement, adding that the initiative would begin in January 2024. 

Only a few weeks later, Europe was swept by farmers’ protests in France, Poland, Germany, and Romania. 

The platform will include organisations such as the farmers’ organisations COPA and COGECA, the young farmers of CEJA and IFOAM Organics Europe, NGOs such as WWF, EEB, and the consumer organisation BEUC. 

Professor Peter Strohschneider has been appointed as chair, Commission sources confirmed to Euractiv, as he “has a long and recognised professional experience, notably as chair of the Federal government of Germany’s ‘Commission for the Future of Agriculture’ (Zukunftskommission Landwirtschaft, ZKL)”.  

The first meeting will take place in a plenary format on 25 January 2024, where von der Leyen will kick off the work and introduce the chair. the initiative will last until the summer. 

As already announced by von der Leyen, the dialogue will focus on topics such as farmers’ income and quality of life in rural areas, sustainable agriculture, innovation and competitiveness of the EU food system.

The discussion will start with four basic questions, as reported in the invitation letter, seen by Euractiv. 

The questions are: “How can we give our farmers and the rural communities a better perspective, including a fair standard of living? How can we support agriculture within the boundaries of our planet and its ecosystem? How can we make better use of the immense opportunities offered by knowledge and technological innovation? How can we promote a bright and thriving future for Europe’s food system in a competitive world?”

Commission sources told Euractiv the entire food system is “confronted with several serious challenges, such as climate change and a very competitive global market, with a huge impact on the entire sector, notably farmers and rural communities”, adding that “the Strategic Dialogue will address challenges and opportunities, such as a fair standard of living for farmers and rural communities”. 

Agriculture ministers will also “prepare for this dialogue” with a debate in a Council meeting on 23 January. 

[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]

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