Farmers “need to be in a stronger bargaining position towards the price makers” the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said today (Tuesday, December 10).
In an address to the European Agri-Food Days conference, which is taking place in Brussels this week, the president of the European Commission said that “our continent’s future depends on a thriving agri-food sector”.
“Your hard work deserves to be rewarded,” she also told farmers.
The conference, brings together agri-food system stakeholders, civil society, consumers, academia and policymakers from across the EU.
Day one of the event saw European farmers share their stories and there was a discussion on the position of farmers in the food value chain and the outlook for EU agricultural markets.
Ursula von der Leyen
The president of the European Commission acknowledged in her address to the event “that the number of young people who choose a career in farming is getting too small”.
“We must reverse this trend.
“Young people need the right incentives to enter this noble profession, a fair income, access to land, access to finance and more,” she said.
President von der Leyen also pointed to the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group’s announcement today of a €3 billion investment package in agri-food “with a strong focus on young farmers”.
She pledged that in the first 100 days of the new European Commission, it “will present a new vision for agriculture and food, looking at how to support the competitiveness and sustainability of your sector”.
According to the president of the European Commission it has moved to adopt the recommendations set out in the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture.
“First, you asked us to cut the administrative burden for farmers. And we are delivering on this, with more flexibility, more incentives, more exemptions for small farms, and no more micro-management.
“Because you deserve more trust, and more time to focus on what you do best.
“Second, you stressed that farmers are often the weakest link in the value chains, and sometimes you have no other choice than selling your products below production cost. This cannot be,” President von der Leyen said.
She also told farmers and agri-food sector stakeholders at the European Agri-Food Days conference that the sector “is at the heart of our European way of life”.
“Your future is essential to the future of Europe. And I want this future to be shaped with you,” she stated.