Security, stability, sustainability, solidarity: the future of agriculture according to Wojciechowski

Brussels – “Security, stability, sustainability, solidarity: this is my vision for the future of European agriculture.” Not four pillars as much as four elements nevertheless central to the reasoning of Janusz Wojciechowski, Commissioner for Agriculture, and a European Commission, the von der Leyen’s one, at the end of its term but eager to bequeath an ambitious work program to the next EU executive, probably still led by von der Leyen, since the current president is officially running for a second term. Whether she is the one to start again, there is no doubt that the college of commissioners must resume, starting with these “four S’s”, a path called into question by a world in turmoil and on the warpath.

It is from here that Wojciechowski starts his remarks. He closes the proceedings of the “New coordinates for the sustainability of EU agriculture” event, organized in Brussels by Gaea and Eunews, starting with the tractor riots. Undoubtedly, the agricultural world is subject to challenges, immediate and less forthcoming, and the commissioner is the first to acknowledge this. “There are national reasons and elements related to European policies such as trade policies, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Green Deal.”

There is so much on the table, and the European Commission is already at work for what it can, given a legislature at the end, and reasoning about what can be the future. In the meantime, Wojciechowski reminds us, work is underway on “a package of measures that would reduce some aspects of the Green Deal such as the suspension of the reduction of fallow land, such as the withdrawal of the ban on the 50 per cent cut in pesticide use.” Measures that certify Brussels’ focus on a world that needs to be given new centrality. And this is where the post-von der Leyen, or von der Leyen bis if the case, comes in.

“Security, stability, sustainability, and solidarity. The near future of European agricultural policy must respond to these three principles. As for the first, “anything that produces food insecurity must not be proposed or introduced,” articulates Wojciechowski, who has an additional message for those in the sector: “I thank all farmers, especially Italian farmers, for their work for food security.” As for the second of the four S’s, “we need income and legal stability for the farmers. The principle should be that if we require more from the farmers we have to reach it as an incentive for the farmers, not as an obligation”.

As for the second of the ‘4 S’, “legal stability must be provided”, stressed the EU commissioner. “This implies not too many changes in the rules of the CAP and stabilizing the common policy”. At the same time, “income stability” must be guaranteed to farmers. Third pillar: sustainability. “Sustainability is a huge challenge. It’s not just about environmental and climate”, but the ability to stay on the market. In this sense, Italy, with its supply chain, is a successful experience. Local markets, the ‘zero kilometer’ system, mixed farming in crop production and animal production are all examples of “a diversification” considered as “important” in this sense.

As for the forth element, the last S on the list, he continues, “solidarity not only between countries but between farmers, and in this sense Italy can offer a very good example with cooperatives,” as well as “solidarity between farmers and consumers.”

Two intentional, non-random references to the Italian agricultural system, seen by Wojciechowski as a model, an example to be inspired by and beyond. “We must recommend the Italian experience for the future of policy, with mixed production,” he argues. He reminds us that “the EU is the largest food exporter in the world,” and “Made in Italy makes an important contribution in this, with its wines” and its specialities. And a system made up of many small and medium-sized companies to be preserved. “For productivity we need big companies,” but when it comes to agriculture “we should safeguard the traditional model made of small and medium-sized family farms.”