Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture: 2nd Plenary meeting

On 11 and 12 March, the second plenary meeting of the Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU Agriculture took place in Brussels. Launched on 25 January by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Strategic Dialogue is currently fully operational, with the active participation of 29 stakeholders coordinated under the chairmanship of Professor Peter Strohschneider.

The 2^nd Plenary meeting showed a very positive and constructive engagement by the participants. The four Working Groups presented updates on their work done so far, and outlined the next steps to be taken ahead of the next plenary meeting (foreseen for 22 and 23 April). Professor Strohschneider welcomed the advancements made towards the preparation of the Strategic Dialogue’s recommendations, due to be finalised by Summer.  

The members of the Dialogue have organised themselves into four different Working Groups in order to reply to the questions raised by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen when she launched the process:

1. How can farmers, and the rural communities they live in, be given a better perspective, including a fair standard of living?
2. How can agriculture be supported within the boundaries of our planet and its ecosystem?
3. How can better use be made of the immense opportunities offered by knowledge and technological innovation?
4. How can a bright and thriving future for Europe's food system be promoted in a competitive world?

Alongside its plenary and working group discussions, the Strategic Dialogue has already launched a targeted consultation to harvest the views of key stakeholders. In particular, Professor Strohschneider has requested input from EU-wide organisations currently present in Commission consultative bodies with an interest in the future of EU Agriculture. Their input will feed into the ongoing work.  

For those looking to gain deeper insights into the Strategic Dialogue, Professor Strohschneider is the special guest on the 11 March episode of the “Food for Europe” podcast hosted by the EU Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, in which he explains in detail the origin, working method, and goals of the Strategic Dialogue.

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