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Brussels, 8 May 2025 \u2014 Under the banner \u201cShaping the Future of Farming and the Agri-Food Sector\u201d<\/strong><\/a>, the Vision Conference held in Brussels brought together policymakers, farmers, civil society actors, financial institutions, and experts from across Europe for an in-depth dialogue on the future of European agriculture. The event, held at The Square, Mont des Arts, served not only as a strategic checkpoint but also as a launching point for new ideas and commitments to renew the agri-food sector ahead of the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The conference set out three primary objectives:<\/p>\n European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen<\/strong> opened the event via video message, striking a tone of ambition and urgency. She emphasized the Commission\u2019s commitment to cutting red tape in agricultural policy, promoting fair prices for farmers, and advancing generational renewal. \u201cLess paperwork and more trust\u201d<\/em>, she declared, are key to delivering what she called \u201ca true wave of simplification<\/strong>\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n She further emphasized the importance of participatory policymaking: \u201cIt\u2019s your chance to shape Europe\u2019s agricultural policy so that it reflects your priorities\u201d<\/em>, she stated, underlining the vital role each EU member state plays in steering the future of agriculture.<\/p>\n Key issues such as access to land<\/strong>, the transition to bio-based agriculture<\/strong>, environmental sustainability<\/strong>, financial viability, intersecting with generational renewal<\/strong> emerged as the central themes throughout the day,<\/p>\n The morning plenary sessions, moderated by journalist Tamsin Rose, kicked off with Commissioner Christophe Hansen<\/strong>, who delivered a keynote underlining the importance of a resilient, fair, and competitive agri-food sector<\/strong>. As he pointed out, agriculture receives approximately 63% of the EU\u2019s total funding<\/strong>, a significant foundation that, he argued, must be more effectively targeted to promote renewable practices, ensure land access for young farmers, and strengthen climate resilience across the sector.<\/p>\n He was joined by senior representatives including Czes\u0142aw Siekierski<\/strong>, Polish Minister of Agriculture; Eric Sargiacomo<\/strong>, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament\u2019s Agriculture Committee; and Peter Schmidt<\/strong> from the European Economic and Social Committee. The panel called for a forward-looking, climate-conscious, and innovation-driven farming model that can withstand economic and ecological shocks.<\/p>\n Later in the day, the second plenary session turned the focus to young farmers and the future of rural entrepreneurship. Gelsomina Vigliotti<\/strong>, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB)<\/a>, delivered a compelling speech highlighting the \u20ac62 billion the EIB allocated to agriculture in 2022 alone<\/strong>. She identified challenges such as land affordability<\/strong> and the gender gap<\/strong> in farm ownership, with only a small share of farms led by women, while presenting concrete solutions:<\/p>\n A key example of this strategy in action was the EIB\u2019s third agriculture loan agreement, recently signed with France after similar efforts in Italy and Portugal.<\/p>\n Adding to the momentum was Anne van Leeuwen<\/strong>, a young Dutch farmer and influencer, who shared her personal experience navigating the agricultural sector. Her speech conveyed genuine enthusiasm for rural life, emphasizing that the aspiration to work in agriculture should be valued and encouraged<\/strong>, not dismissed. Her story highlighted the emotional and cultural significance of farming for younger generations.<\/p>\n The debate was further enriched by Spanish Minister Luis Planas Puchades<\/strong>, who asserted that profitability must be a prerequisite for sustainability. He underscored the importance of a robust and ambitious CAP budget to ensure the long-term viability of the sector.<\/p>\n Italian Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida <\/strong>also weighed in, emphasizing the foundational role of both crop and livestock production in sustaining agricultural economics. He reaffirmed Italy\u2019s commitment to the sector, citing an \u20ac11 billion investment<\/strong>, particularly through the Generazione Terra<\/strong><\/a> initiative aimed at promoting youth involvement in agriculture.<\/p>\n Lollobrigida pointed out that while only 10\u201312% of EU farmers are under 40<\/strong>, the percentage rises to 21% among organic farmers<\/strong>. This, he argued, reflects the growing appeal of organic farming<\/strong> to younger generations and it is not a coincidence: its increasing attractive value is reasoned by its blend of traditional knowledge and modern technology, its intellectual demands, and its reduced reliance on chemical inputs.<\/p>\n However, he noted that organic farms often face challenges related to size and scalability, which can hinder growth and sustainability. To address this, he called for greater access to land<\/strong> and the implementation of long-term, supportive policies<\/strong> tailored to organic producers.<\/p>\n Ultimately, Lollobrigida stressed that agriculture must go beyond income generation to promote work-life balance, social wellbeing, and environmental responsibility<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q&A Session: How can we support land purchase prices in agriculture?<\/strong><\/p>\n The Q&A session that followed allowed attendees to raise key questions directly to the speakers. One particularly pressing topic was the balance between tradition and innovation, such as investing in cultivated meat<\/strong> and sustainable livestock practices<\/strong> to ensure food quality and public health. Norbert Totschnig<\/strong>, Austria\u2019s Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, responded by outlining forthcoming animal welfare legislation<\/strong>, acknowledging that while higher standards may increase production costs, they are essential to building public trust and sustainability. He also presented Austria\u2019s Innovation Farm<\/strong><\/a> initiative as a forward-looking model of rural development.<\/p>\n Improving land accessibility<\/strong> requires creating favorable conditions that make new agricultural models economically viable and attractive<\/strong>. EU-level organic farming initiatives<\/strong> offer a promising framework: by fostering understanding of new value chains and helping aspiring farmers develop viable business plans, these initiatives increase the likelihood of bank financing for land purchases.<\/p>\n Italian Minister Francesco Lollobrigida emphasized that supporting land values means finding the right balance between tradition and innovation<\/strong>. This involves, on one hand, investing in research and training<\/strong> to foster a more efficient, tech-enabled, and environmentally respectful agricultural sector; and on the other, embracing innovations like cultivated meat<\/strong>, which can complement traditional livestock systems while easing environmental pressures.<\/p>\n While livestock remains a pillar of Italian agriculture<\/strong>, Lollobrigida stressed the need for its evolution to ensure product quality<\/strong>, which he linked directly to citizen health and wellbeing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Breakout Sessions: Deep drives into Future Policy<\/strong><\/p>\n In the afternoon, the conference continued with three parallel breakout sessions<\/strong>, each offering a focused discussion on key policy areas:<\/p>\n Throughout the day, references were made to the broader European Green Deal<\/strong><\/a>, tying agricultural transformation to climate goals for 2050. The conference\u2019s holistic vision included not just economics and environment, but also education<\/strong>, research<\/strong>, and the integration of artificial intelligence<\/strong> in farming, positioning agriculture as a field where Europe could become a global leader.<\/p>\n The day concluded with a wrap-up session summarizing the outcomes of the breakout discussions. In his closing remarks, Pierre Bascou<\/strong>, Deputy Director-General of DG Agriculture and Rural Development<\/a>, reaffirmed the European Commission\u2019s determination to support a profitable, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The event ended with a networking session, leaving participants with new ideas, renewed partnerships, and a shared commitment to shaping Europe\u2019s agri-food system for generations to come.<\/p>\n\n
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