The European Commission’s Strategic Dialogue and Vision for Agriculture and Food Stakeholder Perspectives on Achieving the Vision
EURAGRI and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (BMLUK AT) Joint Workshop
April 25, 2025 | 13:00 – 16:30 (CEST)
Location: online
Following the publication of the EU’s Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised that the report provides a strong foundation for shaping a new vision for food and farming in Europe. It presents a consensus-driven set of concrete recommendations, outlining practical pathways toward resilient rural areas and sustainable food systems that are economically viable for farmers and the food chain, environmentally responsible, and socially fair for current and future generations.
These recommendations have directly influenced the European Commission’s work, guiding its Vision for Agriculture and Food, published on February 19, 2025. However, translating this vision into reality requires navigating complex trade-offs. Stakeholder consensus is crucial in addressing key challenges, including food security, environmental crises, geopolitical risks, and concerns about inequality. Research, innovation and knowledge transfer will be partners in addressing the challenges. Policymakers at the EU and Member State levels will be responsible for translating the vision into a framework for implementation. Farmers, land managers and other plural actors who will implement the measures on the ground must be active partners in shaping solutions rather than passive recipients of policy decisions.
The workshop will explore these critical issues. Two distinguished speakers will provide key insights into the Strategic Dialogue’s recommendations and the Commission’s vision for the sector. Research, policy, and farming experts will share their perspectives on turning ambition into action.
© Alexander Haiden, Photos BML, AT
© Paul Gruber, Photos BML, AT
Programme:
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 13:00 | Welcome and Introductions. Dr Bernhard Bichler (Director for Research, Innovation and Corporate Services, BMLUK AT) and Prof Uno Svedin, EURAGRI President. |
| 13:10 | Introduction Session 1. Chair: Prof Uno Svedin, EURAGRI President. |
| 13:15 | Reflection on the Strategic Dialogue process and outcomes – Lessons for Achieving the Vision for Agriculture and Food. Prof Peter Strohschneider, Chairman of the Strategic Dialogue. |
| 13:40 | The European Commission’s Vision for Agriculture and Food and the implications for the new CAP. Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, Director of DG AGRI’s Strategy and Policy Analysis Directorate 14:05. Discussion |
| 14:25 | Break |
| 14:40 | Introduction to Session 2. Chair: Dr Bernhard Bichler, Director for Research, Innovation and Corporate Services, BMLUK AT. |
| 14:45 | A Researcher Perspective on Achieving the Vision. Prof Marianne Penker, BOKU University Vienna and SAPEA. |
| 15:05 | A Farmer’s Perspective on Achieving the Vision. Thomas Duffy, Irish Family Farmer. |
| 15:25 | A Policy and Administrative Perspective – From vision to action: Cornerstones for successfully implementing the CAP post-2027. Thomas Neudorfer, Director for Agri-Environment Mountain Farmers and Less-Favoured Areas, Organic Farming, BMLUK AT. |
| 15:45 | Break |
| 15:50 | Discussion led by Co-Chairs, Dr Bernhard Bichler and Prof Uno Svedin. A Ten-minute Initial Reflection and Discussion Opener. Prof Gianluca Brunori, University of Pisa. |
| 16:20 | Co-Chairs closing words. |
Speaker Profiles:
Peter Strohschneider
Peter is Professor emeritus for German Medieval Studies at the University of Munich. From 2006 to 2011, he served as Chairman of the Wissenschaftsrat and was President of the German Research Foundation from 2013 to 2019. Since 2020, he has chaired the Commission on the Future of Agriculture. He has worked in the fields of science administration and policy. Peter was appointed chair of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture based on his longstanding experience.
Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle
Catherine is the Director of the Strategy and Policy Analysis Directorate at DG AGRI. She has over 30 years of experience in various high-level roles within European institutions and the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. She has used her strong scientific and technical expertise to design and implement public agricultural and food policies at national, European and international levels. Catherine led the support team in assisting Professor Strohschneider’s work on the Strategic Dialogue and plays a crucial role in preparing for the future CAP.
Thomas Duffy
Thomas is an Irish dairy farmer in County Cavan, Ireland. He is a former vice-president of the European Council of Young Farmers. Thomas previously served as president of Macra Na Feirme, the young Irish farmers’ association. He has studied sustainable agriculture and environmental management and works on the family farm in partnership with his parents. Thomas’s agriculture and environmental science expertise gives him a unique perspective on environmental issues.
Thomas Neudorfer
Thomas is the Director of Agri-Environment Mountain Farmers and Less-Favoured Areas, Organic Farming in BMLUK AT. Neudorfer grew up on a dairy farm and holds an academic background in Agrico-Economy. He has extensive experience in agricultural policy and environmental management, focusing on promoting sustainable farming practices and maintaining farming in less-favoured areas.
Marianne Penker
Marianne is a Rural Sociology and Rural Development Professor at the Institute of Sustainable Economic Development at BOKU Vienna. As a sustainability scientist, she is committed to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research that supports transformative solutions in rural areas of Europe and beyond. She co-authored the SAPEA report on sustainable food systems for the EU Commission and presented the key findings to the EU Parliament. Her work has transformed the way people perceive agri-food governance and the integration of diverse academic and stakeholder knowledge.
Gianluca Brunori
Gianluca is a Professor of Food Policy at the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Environment at the University of Pisa and a researcher with over 30 years of experience in international, EU, national, regional, and local research projects. His research focuses on sustainable rural development and the sustainability of food systems, as well as the related innovation processes. By now, this work has resulted in over 90 scientific publications, more than 15 book chapters, several books and other academic contributions.