Artificial intelligence (AI) has been under the limelight of so strong political and social debate that its suitability for its main original purpose of improving supply chain efficiency may come up as a surprise; but, what if, under the actual situation of stress artificial intelligence really can provide solutions for strategic sectors significantly improving their capacity to cope with pressure? More specifically, can the agri-food sector benefit from this technology to the extent of compensating for the shortages being broadly foreseen?

EPRS STOA podcast - What if AI could make the agri-food sector more resilient?

The way most food is produced is harming the planet. A profound change is needed, involving all agri-food actors. As consumers, we sit at the end of the agri-food chain. Our daily dietary choices implicitly support certain food systems, production methods and types of food. What could help us make better choices? In this podcast, we’ll talk about ecolabels and their potential to nudge us towards more sustainable food choices.

EPRS STOA podcast - What if ecolabels could nudge us to choose greener food?

While commonly consumed in many parts of the world, insects have long been off the menu in Europe…but they could soon be creeping their way onto our plates! With Europe’s focus shifting towards a more sustainable agri-food sector, entomophagy, the practice of eating insects, is now gaining serious interest… But are Europeans ready for an insect-based diet?

EPRS STOA podcast - What if insects were on the menu in Europe?

Declining yields due to warmer temperatures and less rain, biodiversity loss, increased risk of floods… the impacts of climate change on European agriculture are irrefutable… But what impact does agriculture have on climate change? And what role can it play in helping address this challenge?

EPRS policy podcast - EU agricultural policy and climate change

Images of half-empty supermarket shelves are becoming all too common as European countries struggle to limit the effects of the coronavirus, a pandemic that has changed what everyday life looks like for everyone… So, what is the EU doing to protect the agri-food supply chain and ensure food security during the pandemic?

EPRS policy podcast - Protecting the EU agri-food supply chain in the face of COVID-19

Excessive ploughing can be highly destructive to soil structure, leading to erosion, loss of organic matter and reduced biodiversity. Conservation agriculture uses permanent soil cover from plant material and diversifies production through crop rotation. Here are three things that Europe does for this type of farming.

This is what Europe does for conservation agriculture

<p>The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.</p>

AGRI - Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

<p>Launched in 1962, the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between agriculture and society, and between Europe and its farmers. It aims to: support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensuring a stable supply of affordable food; safeguard European Union farmers to make a reasonable living; help tackle climate change and the sustainable management of natural resources; maintain rural areas and landscapes across the EU; keep the rural economy alive by promoting jobs in farming, agri-food industries and associated sectors.</p>

<p>The CAP is a common policy for all EU countries. It is managed and funded at European level from the resources of the EU’s budget. CAP 2023-27 To consolidate the role of European agriculture for the future, the CAP has evolved over the years to meet changing economic circumstances and citizens’ requirements and needs.</p>

<p>The CAP 2023-27 entered into force on 1 January 2023.&nbsp;Support for farmers and rural stakeholders across the 27 EU countries is based on the CAP 2023-27 legal framework and the choices detailed in the&nbsp;CAP Strategic Plans, approved by the Commission. The approved Plans are designed to make a significant contribution to the ambitions of the&nbsp;European Green Deal,&nbsp;Farm to Fork Strategy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Biodiversity Strategy.</p>

Common agricultural policy (CAP)

<p>GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. They are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially modified in order to give it a new property. For example, this could be to make it easier for a plant to resist a disease, insects or drought, or to increase crop productivity.</p>

<p>The EU's GMO legislation stems from 1990 when the first two directives concerning GMOs came into force. Both original directives have since been updated, but the definition of a GMO has remained unchanged. This is causing problems for new techniques developed since then. New plant genetic modification techniques, referred to as 'gene editing' or 'genome editing', have evolved rapidly in recent years, allowing much faster and more precise results than conventional plant-breeding techniques. They are seen as a promising, innovative field for the agri-food industry, offering great technical potential.There is, however, considerable debate as to how these new techniques should be regulated, and whether some or all of them should fall within the scope of EU legislation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).</p>

<p>See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/genetically-modified-organism-8th-parliamentary-term_6504_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.</p>

Genetically modified organism

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<p><strong>When the Treaty of Rome established the common market in 1958, State intervention was a major feature of agriculture in the six founding Member States. The foundations of the common agricultural policy (CAP) have remained unchanged since then, with the exception of rules relating to the decision-making procedure.</strong></p>

<p>The Lisbon Treaty recognised codecision as the ‘ordinary legislative procedure’ for the CAP, in place of the consultation procedure.<br />
If the principle of the free movement of goods was to apply to agricultural produce, ongoing State intervention notwithstanding, national intervention mechanisms which were incompatible with the common market had to be transferred to Community level: this is the basic rationale behind the establishment of the CAP.</p>
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Common Agricultural Policy - 8th parliamentary term

During her official visit to Italy, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola engages with key economic, scientific and civic institutions, underlining the European Union’s connection to local innovation, industry, and cultural heritage.

In Bologna, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola delivers a keynote address at a Confindustria event, highlighting the importance of European support for Italy’s industrial base. Confindustria, representing over 150,000 businesses and 5.3 million workers, plays a crucial role in aligning national enterprise with the EU’s competitiveness, sustainability, and innovation agenda. Metsola’s participation reaffirms the need for ongoing dialogue between political institutions and industry. At the Tecnopolo Bologna CNR, she visits one of Italy’s most advanced research hubs, co-funded by EU regional development resources. Home to the Leonardo supercomputer, the centre showcases Europe’s digital and scientific ambition and its impact on sectors like automation, medical tech, agri-food and environmental monitoring. In Lesignana, Metsola tours the 4 Madonne Cheese Factory, a leading Parmigiano Reggiano cooperative producing over 40,000 wheels annually. Her visit recognises the economic and cultural importance of traditional food production and highlights the link between EU quality standards and regional excellence. Finally, at the Collegio Europeo di Parma, the President of the European Parliament delivers a speech titled “L’Europa è nelle mani degli Europei” and receives the Pico della Mirandola Prize, an award celebrating civic, cultural, and democratic leadership. Her recognition affirms her commitment to European unity and democratic values in a time of evolving global challenges.

In Parma, President Metsola meets local industry leaders. In Turin, she visits the Aerospace District Piemonte, addresses an event at Politecnico di Torino and also addresses the Obama Leadership Network’s inaugural ‘Europe Regional Reunion virtual event’. In Milan EP President participates in a discussion at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. In Bergamo, she visits the Kilometro Rosso innovation distric

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Italy

Olivér Várhely was European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement in the von der Leyen Commission I. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designated, Health and Animal Welfare

Hadja Lahbib was Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions since 2022. She is now European Commissioner-designate for Preparedness and Crisis Management, and European Commissioner-designate for Equality, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Hadja LAHBIB, Commissioner-designate, Preparedness and Crisis Management

Christophe Hansen was re-elected as a Luxembourgish Member of the European Parliament in June 2024 (having previously served as a Member from 2018 to 2023). He is now the European Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Food, in the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Christophe HANSEN, Commissioner-designate, Agriculture and Food

AGRI - Exchange of views with Commissioner Hansen on the Generational renewal communication and on the annual report on simplification, implementation and enforcement

Attracting young people to agriculture has been a goal of the European Union's (EU) common agricultural policy (CAP) since the 1980s. However, EU farmers are getting older – 57 % of farm managers are over 55 years of age, while only 12 % are under 40. Young farmers ensure continuity of agricultural production and bring vitality to rural areas.

Generational renewal in EU agriculture

Press conference by Stefano BONACCINI (S&D, IT), rapporteur, the representative of the Council Presidency and Christophe HANSEN, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, on Unfair trading practices

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting

AGRI

Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety Joint meeting Joint Committee Procedure ENVI and AGRI (CJ14)

ENVI

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Ordinary meeting ICM

AGRI - Exchange of Views on Gender equality and diversity : 'Generational renewal is a gender issue: women as key drivers for generational renewal in the European farming and rural community'

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Rome (Italy) - Meeting with Confagricoltura, General Confederation of Italian Agriculture

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Rome (Italy) - Address to the Board of Coldiretti, Italian agricultural trade association

AGRI - Trilogue on the Proposal for a REGULATION amending Regulation

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Common Agricultural Policy

AGRI Interparliamentary Committee Meeting - New tools for risk management: enhancing the agricultural reserve and developing mechanisms to address natural, market, and sanitary risks

AGRI Interparliamentary Committee Meeting - Ensuring a fair standard of living for farmers as a prerequisite for food security and generational renewal

AGRI - Exchange of views with Commissioner Hansen on the CAP related legislative proposals

EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Confagricoltura, the largest collective organisation of farmers in Italy, representing 60% of the country’s territory, 70% of agri-food turnover and 34% of Italian farmers.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy): meeting with Confagricoltura, General Confederation of Italian Agriculture

On the occasion of her official visit to Rome, Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with the Italian agriculture trade association Coldiretti. Representing and providing assistance to Italian agriculture, the Italian organisation Coldiretti based its claims and actions on farmers' incomes. The success of its supply chain contracts for cereals, tomatoes and tobacco has made its reputation. This news item shows arrival of President Metsola, extracts from her speech and cutaways of the event.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy): extracts from the address to the Board of Coldiretti, Italian agricultural trade association

1. Dates of application and transitional provisions for chemical products 2. Parliament’s calendar of part-sessions – 2027 3. Matteo Ricci (TRAN A10-0193/2025) - Union-wide effect of certain driving disqualifications 4. Jutta Paulus (TRAN A10-0191/2025) - Driving licences 5. Markéta Gregorová (LIBE A9-0045/2024) - General Data Protection Regulation: additional procedural rules relating to the enforcement of the Regulation 6. Loránt Vincze, Charles Goerens (AFCO A9-0223/2022) - Statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations 7. Emma Wiesner, Eric Sargiacomo (ENVI/AGRI A10-0176/2025) - Monitoring framework for resilient European forests 8. Emma Wiesner, Pekka Toveri (ENVI/AGRI A10-0175/2025) - Standing Forest and Forestry Expert Group

Voting session

Christophe HANSEN, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, and by Céline IMART (EPP, FR), André RODRIGUES (S&D, PT), Rapporteurs, close the joint debate on CAP. The proposed changes to current EU common agricultural policy (CAP) rules seek to relieve farmers of unnecessary and time-consuming administrative obligations. To cut the red tape still further and make the rules clearer, MEPs want more flexibility in how farms can apply the CAP’s environmental rules and propose to increase the maximum limits for support for small farmers. The amendments to the rules on the common organisation of markets in agricultural products (CMO) would strengthen farmers’ contractual position in the food supply chain and thus stabilise their income. In their report, MEPs clarify when agricultural products can be called “fair” or “equitable” and when to use the term “short supply chain” on labels or in advertising.

Joint debate - Common Agricultural Policy: closing statements by Christophe HANSEN, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, and by Céline IMART (EPP, FR), André RODRIGUES (S&D, PT), Rapporteurs

MEPs debate on CAP. The proposed changes to current EU common agricultural policy (CAP) rules seek to relieve farmers of unnecessary and time-consuming administrative obligations. To cut the red tape still further and make the rules clearer, MEPs want more flexibility in how farms can apply the CAP’s environmental rules and propose to increase the maximum limits for support for small farmers. The amendments to the rules on the common organisation of markets in agricultural products (CMO) would strengthen farmers’ contractual position in the food supply chain and thus stabilise their income. In their report, MEPs clarify when agricultural products can be called “fair” or “equitable” and when to use the term “short supply chain” on labels or in advertising.

Joint debate - Common Agricultural Policy: MEPs debate (part 3)

Joint debate - Common Agricultural Policy: MEPs debate (part 2)

Joint debate - Common Agricultural Policy: MEPs debate (part 1)

Céline IMART (EPP, FR), André RODRIGUES (S&D, PT), Rapporteurs, and by Christophe HANSEN, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, open the joint debate on CAP. The proposed changes to current EU common agricultural policy (CAP) rules seek to relieve farmers of unnecessary and time-consuming administrative obligations. To cut the red tape still further and make the rules clearer, MEPs want more flexibility in how farms can apply the CAP’s environmental rules and propose to increase the maximum limits for support for small farmers. The amendments to the rules on the common organisation of markets in agricultural products (CMO) would strengthen farmers’ contractual position in the food supply chain and thus stabilise their income. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint debate - Common Agricultural Policy: opening statements by Céline IMART (EPP, FR), André RODRIGUES (S&D, PT), Rapporteurs, and by Christophe HANSEN, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food

Carmen Crespo Díaz (EPP, ES), rapporteur, holds a press conference on the future of agriculture and the post-2027 common agricultural policy. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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