Commissioner Christophe Hansen presented the EU's Vision for Agriculture and Food to Lithuania's Seimas, outlining key policy priorities for the agri-food sector through 2040. His speech emphasizes fostering an attractive, competitive, sustainable, and fair farming sector across diverse EU regions, including vulnerable border areas like Lithuania.
Securing Border Regions and Food Security Hansen highlighted geopolitical tensions—particularly Russia's aggression against Ukraine—and their impacts on food security and rural vitality. He stressed that border regions require special support, linking agricultural resilience with broader European security. The Commission's recent proposal to revise cohesion policy to support eastern border regions reflects this approach.
Generational Renewal and Economic Opportunities Addressing demographic challenges, Hansen announced plans for a generational renewal strategy aimed at overcoming barriers such as access to land, capital, and skills to attract young farmers. He proposed improving farmers’ incomes through strengthened market positions, referencing revisions to the Unfair Trading Practices Directive and targeted amendments to agricultural market regulations. Complementary income sources like carbon credits and bioeconomy opportunities were presented as new revenue avenues, potentially creating 400,000 rural jobs by 2035.
Reducing Administrative Burden A comprehensive simplification package due next month aims to cut bureaucratic paperwork, especially benefiting small and medium-sized farms and national authorities managing CAP strategic plans. Key measures include simplifying on-farm requirements, boosting competitiveness via easier access to financial instruments, and increasing Member State flexibility.
Policy Continuity and Flexibility Anticipating negotiations over the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and multi-annual financial framework, Hansen underscored the CAP’s continuing role in ensuring fair income, innovation, and sustainability. He advocated for targeted, incentive-based support with greater Member State responsibility, stressing policy stability in uncertain times.
Stakeholder Impacts Farmers, especially young entrepreneurs, stand to gain from income support and reduced red tape but will face evolving competence demands. National authorities may see administrative relief, though must adapt to increased strategic responsibilities. Rural communities might benefit economically and socially through job creation and infrastructural investments, whereas consumers may experience sustained food quality amidst market shifts. EU regulatory bodies are positioned to strengthen market oversight and policy adaptability.
The speech frames agriculture as intertwined with security, economic livelihoods, and environmental stewardship, proposing pragmatic, region-sensitive evolutions rather than radical overhaul. Hansen’s Vision seeks to balance integration and national flexibility while supporting competitiveness and sustainability in a geopolitically complex landscape.
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