The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has welcomed the European Commission's new 'Vision for Agriculture and Food,' a reform roadmap aiming to strengthen farmers' positions and build sustainable food systems. However, the EESC urges greater ambition in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The vision, debated at the EESC plenary on 27 March, includes measures to boost farmers' bargaining power, increase supply chain transparency and improve food policy dialogue. EU Agriculture Commissioner, Christophe Hansen, described it as a 'targeted response to calls for a competitive, fair and resilient agri-food sector,' and stressed the importance of working closely with all stakeholders, including civil society.

EESC President, Oliver Röpke, noted that the vision reflects many of the EESC's priorities. 'It recognises the key role of all agri-food actors in ensuring sustainability and competitiveness,' he said, adding that EESC recommendations had, in some areas, gone further than the Commission's proposals.

EESC members welcomed initiatives to strengthen producers' roles in negotiations and contracts. 'Written contracts with renegotiation clauses will boost transparency and farmer bargaining power,' said Stoyan Tchoukanov, rapporteur for the EESC's opinion Amendment of the Common Markets Organisation (CMO) Regulation on strengthening producers' position in the negotiation and conclusion of contracts.

The Commission also plans to enhance cooperation across the food system, promoting sustainable production and healthier diets. Emilie Prouzet, rapporteur for the EESC's opinion New rules on cross-border enforcement against unfair trading practices, sees this as a first step to support farmers while avoiding legal uncertainty.

The vision includes a commitment to a new EU-wide risk and crisis management system, aligning with the EESC's calls for stronger tools to handle environmental, market and climate-related shocks. A future strategy for generational renewal is also expected, which would support young farmers with land access, investment skills and rural infrastructure.

Despite broad support, concerns remain. Debate participants noted challenges in discussing post-2027 CAP reform without clarity on the next EU budget. The EESC also calls for stronger enforcement of social conditionalities and warns that the vision does not fully address issues like market concentration and financial speculation affecting food prices.

The EESC reaffirmed its role as a key partner in turning the Commission's vision into policy. It pledged continued collaboration to ensure the interests of farmers, producers, workers and consumers are upheld in shaping the future of EU agriculture. (ks)