Editorial | Sustainable agri-food systems in focus

Ensuring that Europe’s agri-food system continues to deliver on reliable access to food and a healthy environment remains a shared responsibility and a clear priority for the EESC, which rejected the Commission’s CAP post-2027. At a time of growing challenges, the EU must continue to invest in and support its producers to safeguard food security, resilience and sustainability. From regenerative farming finance to the EU Organic Awards, we champion innovation. We all have a role to play in shaping more sustainable, fair and resilient agri-food systems. 💬Read the editorial 

EU Organic awards 2026 – applications now open!
On 10 February, NAT member Piroska Kállay was on stage at BIOFACH (the world´s leading trade fair for organic food) for the official launch of the EU Organic Awards. Now in their 5th edition, these awards aim to recognise excellence throughout the organic value chain, rewarding the best and most innovative actors in EU organic production. The EESC is responsible for three of the 7 awards: the best organic food processing SME, the best organic food retailer and the best restaurant/ food service. Applications will be open until 26 April 2026. 🔎Read more

Meet our members | Anna Schoemaker: Civil society is Europe’s backbone - our solidarity and harmony with nature drive real progress
Anna Schoemakers, new EESC member, champions civil society’s role in shaping EU policy and seeks to have civil society voices not only heard but truly integrated. As a first-time rapporteur, she highlights the openness, feedback and encouragement of the fellow study group members. Her Greendata4all opinion advocates for open environmental data to empower climate action, ensuring transparency, youth engagement, and long-term sustainability - proving data can fuel both economic prosperity and ecological protection. 🔎Read more

Nature credits under scrutiny: Europe’s test of credibility on biodiversity
In its recently adopted opinion on Nature Credits, the EESC stresses the need for Europe to turn biodiversity ambitions - like those in the Kunming–Montreal Framework - into action with stable public funding and an end to harmful subsidies. Policies must align across sectors, supporting small-scale practitioners without added burdens while nature credits should remain voluntary and focused on measurable positive contributions, not compensation, not greenwashing, and never a substitute for stronger ambition. 🔎Read more

📽️Rapporteur Arnaud Schwartz's video 

📽️Co-rapporteur Teppo Säkkinen's video

The Common Agricultural Policy and the European Commission’s 2025 EU long-term budget proposals
In its recently adopted opinion on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027, the EESC rejects the EU Commission’s CAP proposals, citing a lack of vision and unjustified budget cuts. Instead, it demands a standalone, inflation-adjusted CAP budget of 0.5% of EU GDP, with ringfenced rural development funds and stronger support for young and female farmers. 

🔎Read more 📽️Rapporteur Joe Healy's video 

📽️Co-rapporteur Arnold Puech d'Alissac's video

Stoyan Tchoukanov at the roundtable Towards a Truly Integrated EU Approach on Wildfires
Stoyan Tchoukanov, NAT section president, participated in the High-Level Roundtable on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management, alongside Commissioners Hadja Lahbib and Jessika Roswall. The roundtable brought together European, national, and regional stakeholders to provide strategic input to the upcoming European Commission Communication on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management. The discussion addressed wildfire risk across the full disaster risk management cycle and put a strong emphasis on breaking policy silos, strengthening prevention, and aligning environmental, land-use and civil protection policies. 🗃️Photos

EESC event | Launch of the Europe Sustainable Development Report 
On 26 February 2026, the NAT section of the EESC, in cooperation with Sustainable Development Solutions Network, will host an online debate featuring the launch and presentation of the Europe Sustainable Development Report 2026. The report tracks annually the performance of all EU member states and partner countries on the Sustainable Development Goals and is co-designed with civil society. 🔎Read more

EESC partnership event | European leadership on fossil fuel phase out: Lessons learned and future directions
On 25 February 2026, the University of Sussex and the EESC hosted an event on EU leadership in phasing out fossil fuels, reviewing lessons and future strategies. Held after COP30 and before the upcoming world’s first summit on a just transition away from fossil fuels, it examined how EU policies could accelerate global action. The event brought together EU institutions, businesses, trade unions, researchers, and civil society for a public debate, followed by a closed workshop on strengthening supply-side policies to end fossil fuel reliance. 🎬Video recording available soon 

EESC event | Youth in agri-food systems 

On 28 January 2026, the EESC’s NAT Section hosted a debate on youth in agri-food systems. The debate was held in the context of the EESC ongoing work on generational renewal in agriculture and in line with its commitments to the Rural Pact. The event explored how to empower young people, improve career conditions, and boost youth engagement in agriculture - despite persistent economic, social, and structural barriers.🎬Video recording

EESC event | Empowered women for sustainable and fairer agri-food systems 
On 28 January 2026, in the context of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, the EESC’s NAT Section held a thematic debate to explore gender equality in agriculture. The event highlighted women farmers’ contributions and leadership, while addressing barriers like unequal access to land, finance, and training. The aim of the event was to strengthen collaboration with policy makers and promote policies that empower women to advance food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural development. 🎬Video recording

IPBES | The impact and dependency of business on biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people
This assessment evaluates how businesses depend on and affect biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people and aims to support their efforts to achieve the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Sustainable Development Goals. It categorises direct and indirect impacts, explores measurement methods, and proposes actions for businesses, governments, and stakeholders - including Indigenous peoples and local communities. Enhanced understanding of these dependencies will help businesses manage risks, improve transparency, and guide sustainable investments.🔎Read more

European Environment Agency | Making agriculture, energy and transport climate resilient: how much money is required and what will it deliver? 
This briefing outlines the long-term benefits of investing in climate resilience. It presents the costs of enhancing resilience in some of Europe’s most climate-vulnerable sectors - namely agriculture, energy, and transport - and describes the benefits for EU’s economy and society. According to the briefing, early action not only avoids losses but also enhances competitiveness, security, and innovation, delivering broader economic and social gains while supporting mitigation efforts. 🔎Read more

ECA report | EU budget for 2028-2034: auditors weigh in on the new proposal for agriculture
The European Court of Auditors has reviewed the EU’s proposed 2028–2034 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), warning of risks from uncertainty to complexity and weak traceability in funding. The European Fund - replacing the CAP’s traditional two-pillar structure - will finance agriculture through national plans, but delays and unpredictability could undermine simplification goals. Key concerns include unclear funding allocations, inconsistent performance tracking (outputs vs. milestones), and potential divergence in national spending. 🔎Read more

European Commission | Study of the information measures on the common agricultural policy
This study evaluates the EU's CAP information measures, assessing their effectiveness in raising awareness, comparing them with other actors’ approaches, and identifying improvements for future communication. Key findings address target audience engagement, gaps in messaging, and strategies to combat disinformation and offer evidence-based recommendations to enhance transparency, outreach, and resilience against misinformation in agriculture. The findings will shape the 2026–2030 communication strategy and support the Commission’s report to the European Parliament and Council. 🔎Read more

SafeHabitus Policy Workshop | Reducing farm vehicle and machinery related accidents in agriculture with new technologies
On 19 March 2026 (14:15–17:00 CET), SafeHabitus and AGRO-WELL will host an online policy seminar with the aim to drive safer working conditions in EU agriculture. The event brings together EU policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to explore how AI, digitalisation, and emerging tech can enhance occupational safety and health in agriculture - a sector where machinery remains a leading cause of fatal accidents. 🔎Read more

Have your say!

Citizens and businesses can share their views on new EU policies and existing laws.

All initatives here.

Today in the spotlight:

• Business-to-business unfair trading practices in the food supply chain – revision of EU rules (expires 27 February 2026)

• Legal framework for the possible use of international carbon credits towards the 2040 EU climate law target (expires 4 May 2026)
  
  

8 April 2026 | Partnership event

How should the next generation of EU Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) look like? A multistakeholder perspective

22-23 April 2026 | European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) annual conference

A competitive and fair circular Europe: The ambition at the heart of the single markets

Do you like this newsletter?

You can give us your feedback 

in just 1 minute!

Contact us

Subscription Preferences

Privacy Statement