EU agricultural policy: How the EU shapes the future of European farming

In this series, we dive deep into the EU’s signature agricultural policies, outlining how they affect farmers, supply chains, and the future of European agriculture.

EU agricultural policy significantly influences the future of farming in Europe, impacting over 9 million agricultural holdings and 157 million hectares of agricultural land. Policies set targets and standards for greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, biodiversity and nature conservation, the use of crop protection products, and more.

Additionally, the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a cornerstone of European cooperation. With a total budget of EUR 387 billion for the 2021 to 2027 period, this flagship program plays a crucial role in determining farmers’ incomes.

EU policy drives changes at the farm level, potentially affecting agricultural acreage, crop plans, farming practices, yields, and prices. These changes also have repercussions for the food and agriculture supply chain, including agricultural cooperatives, food processors, and input suppliers. Therefore, understanding EU policy is essential for all stakeholders in the European F&A sector.

How water quality shapes the future of European farming

Europe is struggling to meet its 2027 water quality goals. We highlight the current state of water quality, revealing that many water bodies fail to meet the necessary standards. We explore the significant impact of agricultural practices, such as the use of crop protection products and nitrates, on water pollution. We also review EU policies and pinpoint both challenges and opportunities for enhancing water quality.

The Strategic Dialogue sweetens the Green Deal for farmers

The Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture was installed to depoliticize the debate on the future of European agriculture. By no means does the Strategic Dialogue propose changing course from the Green Deal’s ambitions. However, it recommends more support to help farmers move in a more sustainable direction. Moreover, it identifies starting points to enable the systems change required for sustainable agriculture.

What’s the (Green) Deal for farmers in the EU?

In the coming years, farmers in the European Union will increasingly have to deal with regulations to make agriculture more climate and environmentally friendly. The accumulation of legislation and action plans arising from the Green Deal and affiliated strategies like the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and the Fit for 55 package, is comprehensive and could have a major impact on European agriculture.