The EU Agri-Food Days 2024, held from 10–12 December in Brussels, brought together stakeholders from across Europe to reflect on the future of agriculture and food systems. Organized by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, the event provided a vital platform for dialogue among farmers, policymakers, business representatives, analysts, and digital experts.
The event featured insightful sessions on pressing issues such as:
- Food sovereignty and sustainable trade policies;
- The evolving position of farmers in the food value chain;
- Digitalisation and data sharing for agricultural advancement;
- Opportunities for young farmers in today’s dynamic agri-food landscape.
The opening session set the tone with a video address by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, followed by keynote speeches from Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank, and Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food. These speeches underscored the EU’s commitment to fostering sustainable, innovative, and resilient agricultural practices.
Key Sessions and Highlights:
Day 1
- Policy Outlook: A Vision for Agriculture and Food
This session featured insights from high-profile speakers, including Veronika Vrecionová, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, and István Nagy, Hungarian Minister of Agriculture, who debated the upcoming Vision for Agriculture and Food and the role of the CAP in shaping the future of EU agriculture. - Voices from the Field: Farmers’ Perspectives
Farmers from diverse backgrounds, such as Magdalena Esterhammer, a dairy farmer and farmfluencer, and Vojtěch Válka, an organic winemaker, shared their strategies for navigating modern agriculture and emphasized the value of innovation and resilience in farming. - Fair Remuneration for Farmers
This discussion tackled the challenges of rising input costs and food inflation, with contributions from Céline Bonnet, Research Director at Toulouse School of Economics, and Lennart Nilsson, President of COGECA, who explored strategies for ensuring a fair food chain.
The day concluded with a networking event celebrating 10 years of the EU Agricultural Outlook Conference, fostering connections among participants.
Day 2
- Market Outlook: Changing Environments and Drivers
Keynote speaker Seth Meyer, Chief Economist at the USDA, and other international experts presented the latest EU Agricultural Outlook Report, identifying emerging trends and market challenges. - Sustainable Competitiveness: Economic and Environmental Challenges
Discussions centered on boosting investments in sustainable agriculture, with insights from Nicola Pochettino of the European Investment Bank and Dirk Jacobs, Director General of FoodDrinkEurope. - Nourishing Food Sovereignty
This session, led by Sébastien Abis, Director General of Club Demeter, examined the balance between open strategic autonomy and Europe’s sustainability goals, highlighting trade policies and global food security.
Day 3
- Research and Innovation: Showcasing Horizon 2020 Projects
Groundbreaking solutions were showcased, such as the Colorado Beetle Catcher, winner of the 2024 EIP-AGRI Innovation Award. Panel discussions explored the EU’s research agenda with contributions from Kerstin Rosenow, Head of Research and Innovation at DG AGRI, and farmers like Kelli Talving sharing practical applications of these innovations.
During the event, The European Commission published its outlook report at the end of every year, presenting a set of projections for the main EU agricultural sectors.
The EU Agri-Food Days 2024 highlighted the collective effort needed to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in European agriculture.
