Framing the Debate
As the EU prepares to launch the "Clean Industrial Deal" and the "Vision on EU Food and Agriculture," this roundtable examined how the agricultural and food industry can contribute to a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive food system.
The resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability of the EU food system increasingly hinge on the interplay between agrifood and industrial policies. However, these two domains remain largely disconnected, limiting the potential for a more integrated and forward-looking approach.
Organised by Europe Jacques Delors (EJD) and the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), this roundtable provided a platform for constructive dialogue on the role of the agrifood industry in advancing sustainability and economic resilience. Bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and farmer organisations, the discussion explored how agrifood and industrial policies can be better aligned to support sustainable farming practices, enhance business competitiveness, and address gaps in the current regulatory landscape.
Here are our main takeaways from the discussion:
- There is an overall agreement that more sustainable agriculture and food systems require, amongst other things, more circularity and greater diversity of agricultural systems at the farm level and up the value chain;
- We need to enhance farmers' competitiveness to secure long-term food security and strategic autonomy of the EU agri-food sector, while simultaneously addressing climate and environmental challenges;
- Continued dialogue and collaboration among all stakeholders along the agri-food value chain remains essential.
The panelists present highlighted the importance of economic incentives and financial tools to encourage sustainable production within the agri-food sector as there can be no green transition possible without compensation of farmers. This reaffirmed that a sustainable agri-food system is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic and strategic imperative (read our last paper). The ambition to turn these insights into concrete policies and investments will ultimately determine the true impact of the upcoming Vision on Agriculture and Food.
