Luncheon Debate with Diego Canga: A Sustainable Agriculture and Food Vision for the EU

The event kicked off with an engaging networking reception, followed by an inspiring address by Mr. Canga. His speech, titled "Feeding the Future: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Vision," set the stage for a dynamic exchange of views with participants. 

Key Insights from Mr Canga’s Speech 

Mr Canga outlined the significant challenges facing the EU’s agricultural and food sector today. These challenges include growing geopolitical tensions, structural issues such as generational renewal, and the impact of extreme weather events. He framed the central question of the debate around building an agri-food system that is not only sustainable but also attractive, competitive, future-proof, and fair for both current and future generations. 

To address these challenges, Mr Canga highlighted four key priority areas of the Vision for Agriculture and Food, which was published on 19 February: 

Building an attractive sector that ensures a fair standard of living and leverages new income opportunities 

• Shifting towards a more bottom-up approach to working in the sector 

• Exploring new income opportunities, such as bioeconomy, by transforming farm residues into industrial products 

• Key actions include the Bioeconomy Strategy, promotion of carbon farming, a new Generational Renewal Strategy, and a fairer, simpler, and more targeted Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 

A competitive and resilient sector in the face of global challenges​ 

• Diversifying trade relations beyond traditional partners, such as China and the US, to include countries like Mexico, Vietnam, and Japan 

• Reducing administrative burdens and simplifying processes for farmers 

• Enhancing climate adaptation efforts to ensure resilience 

Future-proofing the agri-food sector that works hand in hand with nature​ 

• Moving away from regulatory approaches and focusing on incentivising farmers to adopt sustainable practices 

• Ensuring that decarbonisation goes hand-in-hand with maintaining competitiveness in the sector 

• Prioritising the preservation of healthy soils, clean water, and air for future generations 

Valuing food and fostering fair living and working conditions in vibrant rural areas 

• Acknowledging the importance of rural communities, where 30% of the EU population lives, and the often-overlooked challenges they face 

• Reconnecting with the roots of food through territory, seasonality, and tradition 

• Actions include updating the EU Rural Action Plan and promoting the uptake of Geographical Indications (GIs) 

A Call for Collective Effort and Dialogue 

Mr Canga concluded his remarks by emphasising the need for continued collaboration. Trust and dialogue, he noted, are fundamental pillars for shaping the future of agriculture and food in the EU. Collective action is key to overcoming the challenges and ensuring a sustainable, fair, and competitive agri-food sector. 

As the event came to a close, engaging conversations continued, and we at Schuttelaar & Partners are thrilled to have played a part in this meaningful dialogue. We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate and contribute to shaping a more sustainable agriculture landscape in Europe.  

Keen to know more? Reach out to our Public Affairs colleagues and let’s discuss!