in the midst of anger among farmers in Europe, Brussels is launching a vast strategic consultation on the future of the sector in the EU

The meeting was made in September, before anger rumbled in the European countryside.

The European Commission opens a broad strategic consultation on Thursday January 25 on the future of agriculture in the EU. A reflection planned since last September, that is to say before the angry movement of farmers which affected several European countries. Agricultural unions, NGOs and consumer representatives are around the table.

On the menu of their discussions; the income and living conditions of farmers, the impact of climate change and the ecological transition, innovation and competitiveness of the European Union food system. What should we expect? Franceinfo asked the question to MEPs.

During their last meeting, several European Ministers of Agriculture denounced the too late launch of this dialogue space. Same feeling with Anne Sander. But for this LR MEP who follows agricultural issues, the recent departure of Franz Timmermans, number two at the Commission, may change the nature of exchanges: “This will be made easier with the departure of the Vice-President of the Commission who campaigned hard for a green pact completely above ground and disconnected from the realities of the territorysays Anne Sander. I hope that the Commission will fully listen to professionals and that we will trust them.”

“We are not going to let our agriculture collapse”

The Commission can, if it wants, move quickly and take concrete decisions, believes Social Democratic MEP Pierre Larrouturou, who sits in the Budget Committee: “We see that there are thousands of Germans in the streets in Berlin who whistle at the Chancellor and the Minister of Finance. There are also mobilizations in Italy, in France… he lists. We are not going to let our agriculture collapse. And just as we were able to react urgently to Covid, we must react urgently and say that we want a policy that protects the income of farmers and helps them transform.”

On the Commission side, we promise to do everything to restore trust between farmers, representatives of the Member States and the institutions. The consultation is due to last until the summer and will make it possible to develop the strategy of the future European Commission. Because it will change its face after the European elections next June.