Regenerative agriculture as a target towards enhancing sustainable food production, supporting climate and biodiversity objectives

The EU Youth Test at the EESC is being applied to this opinion. The National Youth Council of Slovenia was chosen by a group of interested youth organisations to represent all of them during the opinion-making process.

Key points

The EESC:

• considers that regenerative forms of agriculture can enhance sustainable food production, supporting climate, soil health and biodiversity objectives, while increasing both income for farmers as well as agricultural productivity and resilience to extreme climate events;
• considers that the current EU framework does not sufficiently promote regenerative forms of agriculture, in particular with regard to soil health, which has to be considered a public good;
• notes that regenerative agriculture promotes a new narrative for agriculture that can drive the renewal of the sector, attracting young people and new entrants, and underpin sustainable business models and financing;
• therefore calls for a common understanding of the terms ‘regenerative agriculture’ (RA) and the benefits of such practices for society as a whole, as well as for an alignment of the EU regulatory framework to recognise and support these practices;
• proposes a definition highlighting the positive outcomes of RA for the three pillars of sustainability: ‘Regenerative Agriculture is an adaptive, outcome-based farming approach applying practically proven and science-based methods with positive impacts on the environment, on farming communities’ livelihoods and on public health, ensuring resilience of yields, competitiveness and efficiency, and social outcomes’;
• further proposes short-term and long-term result and performance-based indicators derived from existing control or measurement systems, to be used to align policy instruments, financial mechanisms, regulatory frameworks and supply chains standards;
• urges the European Commission and EU Member States to scale up regenerative forms of agriculture by
  • aligning funding (CAP and beyond),
  • considerably expanding soil health/soil cover measures in the CAP strategic plans,
  • enhancing or activating independent advisory services and peer support networks,
  • supporting changes of mindset,
  • carrying out dedicated research and innovation projects,
  • increasing investment support,
  • enhancing public-private collaboration,
  • simplifying and aligning existing regulatory frameworks and proposing a favourable incentive environment (particularly in the first years of conversion),
  • supporting context-specific transition insurance, ensuring fair prices for quality products thanks to a better share of value in the agri-food chain, and ensuring better land transfer conditions.