Vision for Agriculture and Food – a new opportunity for dialogue and cooperation
In March, we had the pleasure to welcome the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, to our plenary session for a debate on the Vision on the Future of Agriculture and Food. It was great to hear that EESC opinions were an important reference point for the Commission when preparing the Vision and we remain committed to offering a convening space for meaningful discussions that can lead to balanced, consensus-based policy solutions. 💬Read the editorial 

🎤Meet our members | Nicoletta Merlo: The EESC demonstrated that youth participation can and must be a structural element of the decision-making process
In the course of her first mandate as an EESC and NAT member, Nicoletta Merlo stressed the need to actively involve young people in decision-making processes, ensuring that they play a central role in the development of policies that affect them. In this interview, Nicoletta talks to us about the creation of the EESC Youth Group - of which she's vice-president - and of the progress achieved so far, including the implementation of the Youth Test for EESC opinions. 📄Read more

EESC NAT section reaction | Vision for Agriculture and Food 
The EESC welcomes the European Commission’s recently published Vision for Agriculture and Food and particularly appreciates the Commission’s emphasis on fostering dialogue and cooperation rather than on polarisation. While the Vision aligns with many key recommendations the EESC has been advocating for, it still lacks ambition in several key areas where the EESC has been calling for stronger commitments.

📄Read here.

Arnaud Schwartz | Last-minute deal saves COP16.2, but post-2030 funding will have to rely heavily on the private sector 
COP16 resumed at FAO in Rome last February and led to a compromise on biodiversity finance despite complex negotiations. NAT member Arnaud Schwartz was onsite and summarised the main take-aways of his attendance in a short article. Key highlights include the adoption of a framework for monitoring international biodiversity commitments and the elimination of harmful subsidies. Arnaud was also interviewed by TV5 Monde (Minutes 14:01>23:43) while in Rome. 📄Read more

🦋Join us on Bluesky! 
The NAT section of the EESC has opened a Bluesky account! This new social media presence will be a supplementary channel of communication where we'll share insights and encourage meaningful conversations around our work. Our X account will remain active. Are you also on Bluesky? Follow us!

🌱 EU Organic Awards 2025 | One month away from the application deadline, help us spread the word!
Are you an innovator in organic production? Our awards aim to recognise excellence throughout the organic value chain, rewarding the best and most innovative food processing SME, food retailer, and restaurant/food service. The application period runs until 27 April 2025. Help us celebrate excellence in the organic sector - spread the word and encourage others to apply! 

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👨‍🌾EU farmers need urgent support to survive volatile markets and environmental and climate challenges 
In a recently adopted opinion requested by the Polish presidency, the EESC called for a resilient and knowledge-based agricultural system that keeps farmers at its core. Existing EU policies are failing to protect them, and urgent reforms are needed to secure their incomes, strengthen their bargaining power, and ensure a sustainable future for European agriculture. The EESC suggests various financial tools to support farmers, including public insurance schemes for natural disasters, counter-cyclical aid, and targeted direct payments. 📄Read more

Peter Schmidt moderates a session on Common Agricultural Policy in presence of Commissioner Hansen
On 3 March, Peter Schmidt, President of the NAT Section, moderated a session titled Refounding the Common Agricultural Policy organised by ECVC, the European Coordination Via Campesina. This session was part of an international conference on Rethinking the regulation of agricultural markets for agroecological transition in Europe. The event brought together academics, peasants, and small- and medium-sized farmers to foster the co-creation of knowledge, combining academic research with farmers' real-world experiences. Recordings of the sessions are available online. 📄Read more 🎬Video recording 

Rural Pact Coordination Group (RPCG): Declaration on the future of rural areas and rural development policy in the European Union
The recent declaration by the Rural Pact Coordination Group is a collective response to the questions set out in the European Commission’s report on the long-term vision for EU’s rural areas and aims to inform and influence future policy with specific proposals to provide better support for rural areas and communities.

📄Read more

♻ The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform | Finding a sustainable future
Maria Nikolopoulou, NAT member, highlights that circular economy can significantly reduce waste, lower emissions, and promote sustainable economic growth. With 2025 marking a pivotal year - featuring initiatives like a Clean Industrial Deal and a Circular Economy Act - she underscores the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform's role in uniting diverse stakeholders to overcome fragmentation and drive coordinated efforts toward a circular economy.

📄Read more

🌊EESC Public debate | Civil society's recommendations towards a European Oceans Pact
On 12 March, in connection with its ongoing opinion, the EESC held a public debate on civil society's recommendations for a European Oceans Pact. The debate featured interventions by the European Commission, the European Parliament and the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council, as well as the rapporteur of the EESC opinion, Mr GARAT PÉREZ. His opinion includes concrete recommendations to ensure productive and healthy oceans while also stressing that 'blue' and 'green' policies should be complementary. 🎬Video recording

EESC and FAO's event on Voluntary National Reviews on the SDGs 
Last February, ahead of the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the EESC and FAO hosted an event on civil society’s role in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Bringing together young experts from around the world, the discussion focused on strengthening stakeholder engagement, sharing best practices, and addressing challenges in SDG implementation. The event highlighted the importance of inclusive and participatory processes to ensure that all voices are heard in sustainable development efforts. 📄 Read more 

European Commission | EU vision for agriculture and food
Building on the report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, the Vision for Agriculture and Food aims to secure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the EU’s farming and food sector. The vision is composed of several priority areas with simplification of EU rules, research, innovation and digitalisation as cross-cutting drivers and outlines the enabling conditions to ensure the sector thrives, innovates, and continues benefiting society today, tomorrow and in 2040. 📄Read more 

European Commission | European Ocean Days

In early March, the European Ocean Days provided a platform for a series of dynamic and interconnected sessions relevant to maritime topics, allowing participants to engage deeply on various key ocean-related themes such as the sustainable blue economy. This year, the Ocean Days were a key component of the preparation of the European Ocean Pact, a reference framework for all EU ocean-related policies. The video recordings of each session are available online. 📄Read more

EEA | Publication: Monitoring report on progress towards the 8th Environment Action Programme objectives - 2024 edition
This report by the European Environment Agency takes stock of progress towards the EU 8th Environment Action Programme's objectives on the basis of a set of 28 headline indicators and corresponding targets. The assessment includes information on the prospects of meeting the targets by 2030. The report underscores the EU's progress in certain areas, such as greenhouse gas emission reductions, but it also highlights significant challenges, particularly in reducing economic losses from climate extremes, and improving biodiversity indicators.The EESC is currently working on an exploratory opinion requested by the Danish presidency on the assessment of the most important environmental actions for the upcoming 8th Environmental Action Programme annex. 📄Read more 

Eurobarometer survey results reveal strong support for the CAP 
The latest Eurobarometer survey reveals that an overwhelming majority of EU citizens – 92% – considers agriculture and rural development important for the future. The survey results further highlight that support for the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is at an all-time high with 70% of respondents agreeing that the EU, through the CAP, is fulfilling its role in providing safe, healthy and sustainable high-quality food.📄Read more

European Commission | Delivering the European Green Deal: JRC study finds mixed progress so far
Five years on from the launch of the European Green Deal, a study by JRC finds that significant progress towards Europe’s sustainable transformation has been delivered in many areas, with greenhouse gas emissions consistently decreasing and advances in recycling and sustainable production processes driving the transition to a clean and circular economy. However, more action is essential in other areas. In the energy sector, renewables must grow faster, while expanding protected areas and restoring ecosystems will be crucial to reverse biodiversity loss. 📄 Read more

European Commission | Measuring sustainable and inclusive wellbeing: a multidimensional dashboard approach
The state of wellbeing in the EU varies across Member States with differences that can be attributed to a range of factors such as economic conditions, social policies, or healthcare systems. While there is a general correlation between economic prosperity and wellbeing, there are notable exceptions and trade-offs between different aspects of wellbeing. The analysis highlights the importance of considering the social, economic, environmental, and institutional dimensions of prosperity in policymaking, rather than relying solely on economic indicators.📄Read more 

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Today in the spotlight:

• EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) - Implementing EU funding with Member States and regions (expires 6 May 2025)
  
  
• EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) - EU funding for civil protection, preparedness and response to crises (expires 6 May 2025) 

1 April 2025 | Public debate | 10:30 CEST

Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies

(follow webstream here)

10 April 2025 | Warm-up event

European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform 

16 April 2025 | Public hearing

Regenerative agriculture

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