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>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

<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)

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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

<p>The common agricultural policy (CAP) is one of the oldest common policies in the EU. Its significance is reflected in the proportion of the EU's budget devoted to it, representing approximately 40% of the total. Developed at a time when Europe was unable to meet most of its own food needs, it was necessary to encourage farmers to produce food by means of guaranteed prices. The policy has undergone regular reform and has evolved over the years.</p>

<p>As part of the preparation of the EU budget for 2021-2027, the European Commission put forward a new set of regulations to shape the future CAP on 1 June 2018. The proposal for a regulation on the financing, management and monitoring of the CAP provides the legislative framework for adapting the financing, management and monitoring rules to a new CAP delivery model.</p>

<p>See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/common-agricultural-policy-8th-parliamentary-term_6503_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.</p>

Common agricultural policy (2019-2020)

<p>Janusz Wojciechowski, born on 6 December 1954 in Rawa Mazowiecka, is a Polish politician. He was a Member of the European Parliament from 2003 until 2016.</p>

<p>After the hearing by the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) of the European Parliament, the committee prepares an evaluation letter on the candidate. Parliament is expected to vote on the new Commission as a whole on 23 October.</p>

Hearing of Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI, Commissioner-designate, Agriculture

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

On Thursday MEPs debate how droughts and extreme weather events pose significant threats to local communities and EU agriculture amid climate change. Increasingly frequent and severe droughts are straining water resources, impacting crop yields, and threatening food security across Europe. Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall, further exacerbate these challenges by causing crop failures, soil erosion, and damage to infrastructure.

Addressing these issues is essential not only for protecting the livelihoods of communities dependent on farming and rural economies but also for safeguarding agricultural productivity.

Droughts and extreme weather events as a threat to local communities and EU agriculture in times of climate change

In January 2024, the EU launched the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture, following EC President von der Leyen's announcement in her September 2023 State of the Union address. The initiative brought together 29 key stakeholders from the agri-food sector, rural communities, and academia to shape a shared vision for EU farming and food systems.

On 4 September 2024, EC President von der Leyen received the group's final report, "A Shared Prospect for Farming and Food in Europe," from Chair Professor Peter Strohschneider. The report outlines challenges, opportunities, and recommendations that will guide the European Commission's Vision for Agriculture and Food during von der Leyen's second term.

Outcome of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture

Press conference - Geographical indications for wine and agri products

AGRI Committee MEPs debate with EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on the impact of trade in EU agriculture.

AGRI debate on the impact of trade in EU agriculture

MEPs review the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe and discuss how to foster a sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture in a debate with Commission Executive Vice-President Šefčovič and Belgian Foreign Minister Lahbib

Plenary debate- The situation of farmers and the prices of agricultural products

AGRI - Exchange of Views on Gender equality and diversity : challenges for farming and food”, organised in the framework of the Gender Equality Week 2024

AGRI - Bilateral meeting with the Polish Presidency of the Council

AGRI ENVI joint committee meeting

AGRI - Exchange of views on the inclusion of people with disabilities in the agricultural sector

AGRI - Presentation of the study 'The role of commodity traders in shaping agricultural markets', organised by Policy Department B

ENVI AGRI -  Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare

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

EP Plenary session - Situation of animal health in Europe: how to prevent and prepare for future sanitary crises in agriculture

AGRI - Public Hearing on Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture

ENVI - Exchange of views with István Nagy, Minister of Agriculture on the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council

AGRI extraordinary meeting - Exchange of views with István Nagy, Minister of Agriculture on the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council

AGRI - Workshop on ' The cost of food and food price inflation '

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Droughts and extreme weather events as a threat to local communities and EU agriculture in times of climate change

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Outcome of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture

AGRI Committee - Ordinary meeting

AGRI Committee constitutive meeting

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with José Manuel FERNANDES, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Portugal

AGRI - Exchange of views with Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra on the contribution of the agricultural sector to the Union climate objectives

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

AGRI

Joint committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and committee on Transport and Tourism

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Joint committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

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Joint committee on Budgetary Control and committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

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PECH

Committee Constitutive meeting on Agriculture and Rural Development

MEPs vote on the following topics: Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 and Regulation (EU) 2021/1057; AGRI - Specific measures under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) to provide additional assistance to Member States affected by natural disasters; ENVI - Deforestation Regulation: provisions relating to the date of application; (A10-0012/2024) LALUCQ ECON - Electronic value added tax exemption certificate; (A10-0011/2024) DORFMANN ECON - Faster and Safer Relief of Excess Withholding Taxes (Vote: 28/02/2024); and (A10-0013/2024) STREIT BUDG - Amendment of the EIB's Statute.

Voting session part 1

&lt;p>From 4th to 12th November 2024, the European Parliament held the Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate, in Brussels. For 3 hours, MEPs quizzed the candidates for the College of Commissioners on their priorities ahead of the new mandate given by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This clip highlights the best pictures from the 26 confirmation hearings.&lt;/p>

Highlights of the hearings of the Commissioners-designate (2024)

Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) of the European Parliament. Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT) participate as joint committees. At the end of the confirmation hearing, Olivér VÁRHELYI Olivér VÁRHELYI makes a closing statement by folIowed by Antonio DECARO (S&D, IT), ENVI Committee Chair and by Veronika VRECIONOVÁ (ECR, CZ), AGRI Chair.

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare: Closing statement by Commissioner-designate and Committees Chairs

Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) of the European Parliament. Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT) participate as joint committees. During the confirmation hearing, Olivér VÁRHELYI answers questions by committee members.

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare: questions / answers (part 5)

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare: questions / answers (part 4 - Invited Committees)

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare: questions / answers (part 3)

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare: questions / answers (part 2)

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare: questions / answers (Part 1 - Political groups coordinators)

Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) of the European Parliament. Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT) participate as joint committees. During the confirmation hearing, Olivér VÁRHELYI gives an opening speech and then answers questions by committee members. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare: opening statement by the Commissioner-designate

Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) of the European Parliament. Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT) participate as joint committees. Ambiance of the arrivals and opening statements by opening statements by Antonio DECARO (S&D, IT), ENVI Committee Chair and by Veronika VRECIONOVÁ (ECR, CZ), AGRI Chair. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare: arrivals and opening statements by Antonio DECARO (S&D, IT), ENVI Chair and by Veronika VRECIONOVÁ (ECR, CZ), AGRI Chair

Ambience shots of the Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare.

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designate, for Health and Animal Welfare: ambience shots

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. This stockshot illustrates the relations between Olivér Várhely and the EU institutions from 2022 to 2024 and contains new footage in his office in Berlaymont, filmed on 30/10/2024.

Memoclip: Olivér Várhely, European Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Closing statement by Commissioner-designate and Committees Chairs.

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Closing statement by Commissioner-designate and Committees Chairs

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Questions / Answers (part 5). .

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Questions / Answers (part 5 - Political groups in reverse order)

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Questions / Answers (part 4). .

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Questions / Answers (part 4 - Invited Committees)

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Questions / Answers (part 3). .

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Questions / Answers (part 3)

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Questions / Answers (part 2).

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Questions / Answers (part 2)

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Questions / Answers (Part 1 - Political groups coordinators).

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Questions / Answers (Part 1 - Political groups coordinators)

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