Euroseeds has joined 39 organisations from across the European agri-food chain in a joint statement urging EU policymakers to ensure that agriculture, food and the wider agri-food sector remain a central pillar of the future European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) for 2028–2034.
The signatory organisations underline that agriculture and food are strategic sectors for Europe’s economy, security and resilience. Together, the agri-food value chain generates more than €1 trillion in gross value added to the EU economy while providing citizens with safe, nutritious food, feed, fuel and fibre.
In the joint statement, the coalition stresses that the agri-food chain has a unique capacity to contribute to many of the EU’s strategic priorities, including the clean transition, digital transformation, biotechnology, competitiveness, security and the development of the bioeconomy. At the same time, the sector faces significant investment needs in areas such as infrastructure, innovation, services and skills development. The organisations therefore argue that agriculture and food must be fully recognised within the EU’s competitiveness agenda and provided with appropriate access to future investment opportunities.
The statement also highlights that agriculture and food should not be viewed solely as beneficiaries of competitiveness policies, but as essential contributors to Europe’s economic growth, strategic autonomy and long-term resilience. As geopolitical uncertainties continue to grow, maintaining a strong and innovative agri-food sector will be critical to safeguarding food security and supporting Europe’s broader economic objectives.
Together with fellow signatories representing farmers, cooperatives, breeders, input suppliers, processors, traders and food manufacturers, Euroseeds calls on the European Parliament to support an approach that properly reflects the strategic role of agriculture and the agri-food chain in Europe’s future competitiveness agenda.
As the EU shapes its next long-term budget and competitiveness strategy, investment in agriculture and food must be recognised as an investment in Europe’s security, resilience, growth and future prosperity.
