Key outcomes of the dialogue include:
- Support an agriculture that works for nature by maintaining and fully enforcing existing environmental legislation (including the Birds and Habitats Directives, the Nitrates Directive, and the Water Framework Directive).
- Revised income support under the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), to be limited to assisting farmers who genuinely need financial support, rather than subsidizing the wealthiest landowners.
- Recognition of the need for consumption policies that support the transition from excessive meat and dairy consumption towards plant-based diets, promoting both environmental sustainability and public health.
- Increased environmental spending, reflecting a stronger commitment to funding initiatives that protect and restore Europe’s ecosystems, including a call to establish a fund to support implementing the Nature Restoration Law
- Establishment of a just transition fund to support farmers and the broader supply chain in rapidly transitioning to decarbonization, reduced resource use, and alignment with biodiversity restoration efforts.
The Strategic Dialogue was initiated by President von der Leyen in September 2023, in response to widespread farmer protests and growing concerns about the environmental impact of Europe’s agri-food system—the largest driver of biodiversity loss across the EU.
The President has previously committed to incorporate the recommendations of the Strategic Dialogue into the Commission’s workplan, which will be presented within the first 100 days of President von der Leyen’s mandate in the Commission.
Ariel Brunner, Director, BirdLife Europe:
“This agreement is not just a milestone, but hopefully a game-changer. After months of intense negotiations, we’ve finally reached a turning point where, despite the differing interests and politics, there’s a collective recognition that the status quo simply isn’t an option. The need for fundamental change has never been clearer, and this agreement signals a decisive move toward it. There is now a consensus for a just transition in farming, with a clear direction of travel in terms of funding nature restoration and agri-environmental measures, fundamental reorientation of farm subsidies, enforcement of environmental legislation, and policies to empower consumers rebalance their diets away from excessive levels of livestock products.
The focus on supporting the viability of those farmers that actually need support and on the rights of farm workers producing our food, sends a powerful message: the ecological transition can and must be also an opportunity for social fairness.
It’s encouraging to see that even the farm lobby has come around to the changes that must happen. We’ve known all along that this was the right path, and it’s heartening to see others waking up to that reality. This is a victory for our farmers, our environment, and our future- if politicians will have the courage and integrity to act on it.”
ENDS.
For more information please contact:
Honey Kohan, Communications Manager
[email protected]
Ariel Brunner, Director
[email protected]