Description and programme
The Conference on the Vision for Agriculture and Food took place on 8 May 2025 at The Square in Brussels. It was centered around the theme of "Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sector".
The event brought together key stakeholders – including European agri-food sectors, civil society, rural communities, consumers, think-tanks, academia, Member States and MEPs – to contribute to the debate to shape an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations.
The conference aims were to:
- continue to build consensus around the Vision and its roadmap
- discuss and gather feedback on the way forward, focusing on key initiatives outlined in the Vision
- engage with stakeholders on the future direction for the CAP post 2027
- rural development | rural region | common agricultural policy
- Thursday 8 May 2025, 09:00 - 18:30 (CEST)
- Brussels, Belgium
- Live streaming available
Media
Conference on the Vision for Agriculture and Food - Message by Ursula von der Leyen, President of European CommissionVideo message opening the conference 
Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sectorChristopher Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food 
Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sectorChristophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food - Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank - Jean-Christophe Roubin, Director for Agriculture, Crédit Agricole S.A 
Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sectorGelsomina Vigliotti, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank 
Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sectorAnne van Leeuwen, Dutch young farmer and farmfluencer 
Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sectorErika Olsson, Farmer and President of the Swedish organic farmers association, IFOAM Organics Europe 
Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sectorPeter Meedendorp, CEJA President 
Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sectorFrancesco Lollobrigida, Italian Minister for Agriculture, Food sovereignty and Forestry 
Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sector - drawingPlenary 2 summary 
Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sectorBreakout session 
Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sectorLuis Planas Puchades, Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 
Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sectorEttore Prandini, Chair of the Strategic Committee of Farm Europe - Gillian O’Sullivan, Veterinary Surgeon and Dairy Farmer - Pierre-Marie Aubert, Director, Agriculture and food policies programme, IDDRI
Programme
- 8 May 2025, 08:00 - 09:00 (CEST)Registration
- 09:00 - 09:30 (CEST)Opening of the conference
- 09:30 - 10:30 (CEST)Plenary 1
From vision to action: fostering an attractive, competitive, resilient, future-proof and fair EU agri-food sector.
- 10:30 - 11:00 (CEST)Coffee break
- 11:00 - 12:15 (CEST)Plenary 2
Building an attractive farming sector for the future: fostering investment and entrepreneurship for generational renewal
- 12:15 - 13:30 (CEST)Lunch
- 13:30 - 15:30 (CEST)Interactive breakout sessions
Breakout 1
Enhancing resilience to risks and crisesBreakout 2
Developing excellence in livestock production chainsBreakout 3
Leveraging opportunities for farmers from bioeconomy, nature and climate protection (i.e. carbon and nature credits) - 15:30 - 16:00 (CEST)Coffee break
- 16:00 - 16:30 (CEST)Wrap-up session
- 16:30 - 16:45 (CEST)Closing speech
- 16:45 - 18:30 (CEST)Networking event
Practical information
- When
- Thursday 8 May 2025, 09:00 - 18:30 (CEST)
- Where
- The SquareMont des Arts, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Languages
- English, French, German, Polish, Italian
- Social media links
Description
Background information about the Vision for Agriculture and Food
Recognising the essential role of farmers in our lives, the Vision seeks to boost the agri-food sector’s competitiveness and attractiveness. It outlines the enabling conditions to ensure the sector thrives, innovates, and continues benefiting society today, tomorrow and in 2040. The Vision builds on the report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture.
The Vision for Agriculture and Food was proposed as a priority initiative for the first 100 days of this Commission's mandate. It devised in consultation with the European Board for Agriculture and Food and aims to secure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the EU's farming and food sector. Based on the latest Eurobarometer results, EU citizens overwhelmingly agree that securing a stable food supply in the EU at all times is essential.
The Vision emphasises close engagement with relevant institutions, farmers, food chain operators and civil society at local and regional levels, addressing their concerns and ideas.
