EU Agri-Food Days

10 - 11 December 2024 EU Agri-Food Days

This annual event brought together agri-food system stakeholders, civil society, consumers, academia and policymakers from across the EU. 

They discussed the latest agricultural trends, policy options, market developments, as well as how research, innovation and digital technologies are shaping European agriculture of today and tomorrow.

Extracts of the programme

11 December: Presenting the EU Agricultural Outlook Report: Focus on the Changing Environment Driving Markets

This session featured a keynote on the drivers shaping the market outlook, the presentation of the latest

EU Agricultural Outlook report, and a panel discussion with representatives and experts of international

organisations on challenges and opportunities of the Outlook.

• Seth Meyer, Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Keynote speech: What has changed in the environment of agricultural markets in the ten last years and what lessons can we draw for the future?
• Bence Toth, Acting Head of Unit Analysis & Outlook, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission - Presentation of the 2024 EU Agricultural Outlook Report

Panel discussion

• Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, Director for Strategy & Policy analysis, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
• Marion Jansen, Director of Trade and Agriculture Directorate, OECD
• Seth Meyer, Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Johan Swinnen, Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
  
  "This report is important as the European Food regulations and standards have a great impact on the rest of the world."
  
  
• Monika Tothova, Senior Economist, FAO/ AMIS Secretary
• Alessandra Zampieri, Director Sustainable Resources, Joint Research Centre, European Commission 

Resource:

EC (2024), EU agricultural outlook, 2024-2035. European Commission, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, Brussels. # 82 pp.

The Medium-term outlook report provides an overview of the medium-term prospects for major EU agricultural markets, income and environment until 2035.

The report's highlights relevant to low-income countries include:

Global Food Security and Nutritional Trends: 

• Calorie intake in low-income countries is expected to increase by 4%, driven by staples, livestock products, and fats.
• Despite adequate global food production, low-income countries face challenges in food affordability and distribution​

Agricultural Trade:

• The EU remains a net exporter of agri-food products, with potential for reduced imports of oilseeds and sugar due to increased domestic production. This could influence global trade dynamics, affecting low-income countries dependent on EU imports​ 

Climate and Resource Challenges:

• The report highlights increasing global challenges like droughts and water scarcity, which are particularly acute in low-income countries. 
• Technological and policy advancements in sustainable farming and resource management in high-income regions could serve as examples for low-income countries​

Protein Transition:

• There's a global shift from animal to plant proteins due to cost and sustainability, which may influence the food supply chains of low-income countries, particularly those exporting or importing plant-based proteins 

Macroeconomic Environment:

• Slower global economic growth and stabilizing commodity prices could affect the purchasing power and investment capacities in agricultural sectors of low-income countries​ 

11 December: Future R&I agenda for competitive, sustainable and resilient agri-food systems in the EU and globally

This session will present the EU approach to the agricultural research and innovation (R&I) and showcase examples of innovative solutions generated by Horizon-funded R&I projects. A panel discussion will provide insights on the future R&I agenda for competitive, sustainable and resilient agri-food systems in the EU and globally.

• Master of Ceremony: Sasha Twining
• Diego Canga Fano, Acting Deputy Director-General in Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission - Keynote speech

Presentation of innovative solutions generated by Horizon 2020 projects

• Andrea Schubert, Representative of Horizon 2020 project TOMRES: A novel and integrated approach to increase multiple and combined stress tolerance in plants using tomato as a model
• Souzana Lorentzou, Representative of Horizon 2020 project NOMAD: Novel organic recovery using mobile advanced technology
• Stefano Mocali, Representative of Horizon 2020 project EXCALIBUR: Exploiting the multifunctional potential of belowground biodiversity in horticultural farming
• Anders Wolf, Representative of Horizon 2020 project VIVALDI: Veterinary validation of point-of-care detection instrument
• Tora Råberg, Representative of Horizon 2020 project RUBIZMO: Replicable business models for modern rural economies

Panel discussion and Q&A session

• Thierry Caquet, Scientifc Director, France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE)
• Kerstin Rosenow, Head of Research and Innovation Unit in Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
• Kelli Talving, Farmer, Ahisilla taluaed
• Andrew Carlin, Director of Missions & Strategic Programmes, EIT Food
• Elena-Teodora Miron, Head of the Competence Centre for Research and Innovation Projects, Coordinator of Horizon Europe project ModernAKIS, Austrian Chamber of Agriculture 

12 December: Overcoming Hurdles: Unlocking the Potential of Digitalisation in Agriculture

The session will explore the current level of adoption of digital tools in agriculture in the EU and address the key challenges hindering further implementation. 

• Alessandra Zampieri, Director for Sustainable Resources, Joint Research Centre, European Commission - Keynote speech 

Panel discussion and Q&A session

• Elli Tsiforou, Secretary-General, Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations - General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (COPA-COGECA)
• Prof. Dr. Engel Arkenau, Deputy Director General for Digital and Data Policy, Innovation and Transfer, Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Germany
• Caroline van der Weerdt, Senior Consultant, TNO Innovation for Life
• Stefan Top, President of the European Agricultural Machinery Association (CEMA), CEO, AVR Machinery
• Evangelia Mourmoura, Team Leader for Digitalisation, Data Governance Unit, Directorate-General Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
• Catherine Geslain Lanéelle, Director for Strategy and Policy Analysis, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission, explores the potential of Artificial Intelligence.
• Tassos Maltezos, farmer, shares his experience with smart farming infrastructure from the field