Geopolitic / Europe
Monitor Europe geopolitics, strategic pressure, security shifts and regional risk signals through curated geopolitical summaries.
Euractiv's 2026 Agrifood Policy Conference
Summary
Food security remains a critical issue, often taken for granted, yet global market volatility underscores its importance. Dependence on external inputs, such as energy and fertilizers, necessitates a more resilient agri-food supply chain to mitigate potential shocks.
The upcoming years are pivotal for addressing power dynamics and policies within the agri-food sector. Discussions highlight the need for fair trade practices, including the prohibition of selling below production costs, which aligns with both farmer protests and historical demands from trade movements.
Trade is essential and should be founded on partnerships, as exemplified by the EU-Mercosur Agreement. This agreement represents a balanced approach, allowing the EU to assert its priorities while safeguarding its agricultural sector.
Agreements, dialogue, and cooperation are crucial to navigate the negative agendas facing the sector. Continuous evolution of laws, such as the UTP and CMO, reflects societal demands and the need for adaptation in response to changing realities.
Perspectives
short
Proponents of EU Agrifood Policy
- Emphasize the importance of food security amidst global market volatility
- Advocate for resilience in the agri-food supply chain to reduce dependency on external inputs
- Support fair trade practices to protect farmers and ensure sustainable agriculture
- Highlight the EU-Mercosur Agreement as a balanced trade opportunity
- Call for ongoing dialogue and cooperation to address challenges in the sector
- Stress the need for evolving legislation to meet societal demands and realities
Critics of Current Agrifood Practices
- Question the effectiveness of current agricultural practices in adapting to market volatility
- Highlight the risks associated with reliance on imports for energy and fertilizers
- Critique the adequacy of existing trade agreements in protecting local farmers
- Argue for more robust strategies that include local production incentives
- Point out the potential for unforeseen shocks in the supply chain
Neutral / Shared
- Acknowledge the complexity of supply chain dependencies
- Recognize the historical context of trade movements and farmer protests
Metrics
other
the volatility of the global markets
global market conditions affecting food security
Market volatility can lead to food shortages and increased prices.
the volatility of the global markets is the perfect example
other
the demand of farmer protest
farmers' demands for fair trade practices
Addressing these demands is crucial for maintaining agricultural stability.
among the demand of farmer protest
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
Global market volatility is impacting food security in Europe, highlighting the need for resilience in the agri-food supply chain. The EU-Mercosur Agreement is a significant opportunity for balancing trade priorities while protecting the agricultural sector.
- Global market volatility is threatening food security in Europe, necessitating stronger resilience in the agri-food supply chain
- Fair trade practices are essential, particularly the ban on selling agricultural products below production costs, reflecting farmer protests and demands from the third trade movement
- Europes strategy includes exporting high-value agricultural goods while ensuring imports meet its strict production standards to maintain market competitiveness
- The EU-Mercosur Agreement represents a key opportunity for the EU to balance trade priorities while safeguarding its agricultural sector
- Agricultural legislation must adapt to societal demands and global events like COVID-19 to ensure economic and sustainable viability for future farmers
- Effective dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders are crucial for addressing the agrifood sectors challenges and promoting positive agendas