Overview
Europe’s quality of life depends on a secure and affordable supply of quality local food. We enjoy the healthiest and highest-quality food in the world, and that is thanks to our farms and the wider agri-food sector. The European Commission will work to ensure farming remains a core part of the European way of life and will aim to boost the sustainability and competitiveness of our blue economy.
This will go hand in hand with the protection of our natural world, which is home to and an important amenity for many Europeans, while being essential to regulating our climate and ensuring food and water security. Water is a cross-cutting resource necessary for food production, health, infrastructure, ecosystem protection and economy as a whole. As we learn to live with the impacts of our changing climate, we will make sure we continue to adapt to and be better prepared for the challenges that come our way.
A look at the numbers
Objectives
Over the course of the Commission’s mandate between 2024-2029 and to sustain our quality of life, we will
Build a competitive and resilient agriculture and food system and safeguard biodiversityto support our farmers and safeguard our healthy food
- Adapt and prepare for a changing climate
to be ready and help those affected
The Commission will
- present a Vision for Agriculture and Food to ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of our farming sector
- ensure that the EU budget and the EU common agricultural policy are targeted, with the right balance between incentives, investments and regulation
- support family farms and enable farmers to work their land without excessive bureaucracy
- reward farmers who work with nature, preserve biodiversity and natural ecosystems and help to decarbonise our economy
- support the competitiveness of our entire food value chain through investment and innovation on farms, in cooperatives, agri-food businesses and SMEs
- protect Europe’s food sovereignty, including fisheries in our coastal communities
- propose a European Oceans Pact that will boost the blue economy and ensure the sustainability of our oceans
- strengthen Europe’s water security and promote competitiveness of EU’s water industry by presenting a European Water Resilience Strategy
- work on incentives for nature positive actions and private investments in nature, in particular by developing nature credits
- work towards meeting our international biodiversity commitments, such as those taken in the Kunming Montreal Agreement
One of the greatest risks to our security is the impact of climate change. That is why we will
- aim to develop a European Civil Defence Mechanism, looking at all facets of crisis and disaster management, along community resilience building
- step up work on climate resilience and preparedness
- develop a European Climate Adaptation Plan, to support Member States with preparedness and planning and ensure regular science-based risk assessments
In the spotlight
Farmers are today facing challenges such as rising costs, climate change, and supply chain disruptions. To help them overcome these challenges, the Commission has set out its plans to build a fair and competitive food system that provides affordable and sustainable food for everyone. Its vision for the future of farming and food production in the EU is based on four key areas of action: the work envisioned will make the agriculture sector more attractive, competitive, and future-proof, and will value food and people. The EU will be working closely with farmers, food producers, rural communities, and civil society to make this vision a reality.
Who is in charge
Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare
Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth
Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans
Commissioner for Equality; Preparedness and Crisis Management
Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food