European Biosolutions Coalition’s Post

Transforming the Future of AgroFood System: Governments Lead the Charge In response to growing climate challenges, governments worldwide are taking significant steps to reshape our global food systems. From South America to Europe, efforts towards sustainable agriculture and agroecological practices are gaining traction. In Brazil, President Lula has implemented a transformative National Plan for Agroecology and Organic Production (PLANAPO), mobilizing over $1.5 billion to support family farmers and promote holistic, ecological approaches. Agroecology is emerging as a vital tool for building climate resilience, reducing environmental impacts, and enhancing food security for rural communities. Across the Atlantic, the European Investment Bank is investing €3 billion in agri-food projects, with a strong emphasis on supporting young farmers and sustainable practices. This decisive action highlights the growing recognition that transforming food systems is essential for a more sustainable future. As the world faces an escalating climate crisis, these government-led initiatives and more demonstrate the power of bold, collaborative action. By prioritizing agroecology, family farming, and climate-smart solutions, we can create a future where food production and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Join us in this essential journey toward a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable global food system. #FoodSystemTransformation #AgroecologyMatters #ClimateSmartAgriculture #FamilyFarming #SustainableFood #GreenTransition #EcologicalApproaches #ResilientFoodSystems #GovernmentLeadership #GlobalFoodSecurity #EUAgriFoodDay #PLANAPO #FAO For more insights, visit https://lnkd.in/ddbYCtBJ and https://lnkd.in/dJ6AE-kn.

🇪🇺🌱 EAT LESS MEAT, MORE PLANT-BASED FOR FOOD SECURITY, EU EXPERTS SAY Every year, academics from Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the EU’s top agriculture institution, present the Mansholt Lecture. Highlighting the dilemmas faced by the region’s farm sector, it’s inspired by Sicco Mansholt, a Dutchman who was the bloc’s first agriculture commissioner and architect of its Common Agriculture Policy (CAP). The CAP aims to tackle biodiversity loss, species decline, and planetary harm – but many of its current policies fail to do so. And of those that have promise, most are derailed by Big Ag’s big lobbies. Nearly 30% of the CAP’s budget is spent on agriculture, which is important considering the sector accounts for 12% of EU emissions. However, 80% of this expenditure is directed to livestock farming, with 44% alone going to crops for animals that humans end up eating. This makes little sense when you consider that animal proteins provide only 35% of the EU’s calorie supply, and generate 84% of its agricultural emissions. Plant-based farming, on the other hand, receives less than a quarter of the CAP’s money. And even though farmers themselves are calling on people to eat less meat and asking policymakers to draw up plans to transition to a plant-based food system, EU leaders seem hesitant in intervening. These are among the five major dilemmas that the WUR experts outlined in a new paper accompanying the Mansholt Lecture. The 80-page report contends with the EU’s pursuit for self-sufficiency, the future of animal agriculture, whether climate targets should be a shared responsibility among member states, the coexistence of food and non-food biomass, and policy interventions to reshape consumer behaviour. More information in the full article: https://lnkd.in/eTTRiTb8 #GreenQueen #altprotein #plantbasedmeat #emissions #climatechange #climateaction #sustainability #diet

Earlier this week, IPIFF's Deputy Secretary-General, Steven Barbosa, attended the EPP Congress of European Young Farmers, bringing together around 500 participants, with many young farmers from all over Europe, while the high-level event also attracted various Members of the European Parliament as speakers. The Congress addressed key challenges, such as water management and innovation, to ensure a resilient and sustainable EU agriculture. Moreover, attendees shared that generational renewal in agriculture is indeed a major challenge, considering that the number of farmers has decreased by around 30%, complemented by the fact that 31% of European farmers are above 65 years old. We truly believe that the EU insect sector can have a determinant role in increasing the generational renewal in agriculture. EU insect farming activities create economic opportunities by bridging existing agri-food chains and developing new segments, encompassing various applications—including human nutrition, animal feed, and soil fertiliser. Through these initiatives, we contribute to the creation of green jobs in rural areas, fostering a diverse skill set and a range of professional qualifications. IPIFF (International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed)

What is meant by transforming global agrifood system? There are basically two different agrifood system prevalent in the world, monoculture and polyculture. 1. Monoculture (chemical input based, anti-biodiversity agriculture and junk food culture) is the dominant agrifood system in the world, which is harmful for soil health, water health, plant health, animal health, human health and environment health (one health). Therefore, monoculture has already been proved unsustainable. 2. Polyculture (decentralised and diversified, biodiversity based agriculture and local food culture) has a long history of 10,000 years, but now it is limited among a few people and communities. Polyculture improves soil health, plant health, animal health, human health and environment health (one healgh) therefore polyculture is sustainable. FAO and IFAD should start research on polyculture if they are really serious about transformation of global agrifood system.

Last week, IPIFF (International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed)'s Deputy Secretary-General Steven Barbosa participated in a workshop on Solidarity & Rural Communities. Organised under the auspices of DG AGRI, at the event the European Commission presented its report on the long-term vision for the Union's rural areas. (Full report available here 👉 https://rb.gy/og8z8f) The key takeaway was unanimous: an improved holistic, horizontal and bottom-up approach towards the EU's rural areas is of utmost importance. Local people have a critical role in this. Speakers also corroborated that while funding provided under the Common Agricultural Policy Pillar I is important, it must, however, be complemented by other types of funding. Sustainable economic activities are instrumental in supporting rural areas in their demographic, social and economic development. To this end, insect farming presents circular practices that address a myriad of challenges along the agri-food value chain. Human nutrition, animal feed, soil fertiliser, technical applications, as well as jobs creation are just a few examples of what the insect-farming industry is doing for rural areas across the continent. 

The European Commission's "Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture" emphasizes the crucial role of farmers in achieving the European Green Deal's goals. This document highlights the challenges and opportunities facing EU agriculture, with a potential focus on cultivated meat as a key driver of sustainability. According to the article, supporting farmers is crucial for the success of these efforts, which will lead to improved food security for the general population in the EU, as well as environmental benefits that will assist in curbing climate change. Click below to read the full piece. Thanks for following! https://lnkd.in/dntGRGex #EUGreenDeal #sustainableagriculture #futureoffood #cultivatedmeat #innovation #foodsecurity

🌱 Empowering Sustainable Farming Through Innovation 🌍 As the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture ( https://lnkd.in/geA6GFYn )highlights, Europe’s agriculture must evolve to face climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security challenges. At the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), we play a key role in this transition by protecting the intellectual property of plant breeders who are developing the innovative, resilient crops that will drive sustainable farming practices. By safeguarding intellectual property, we empower breeders to continue innovating—creating plant varieties that support sustainable farming, reduce environmental impact, and meet the goals of the EU’s Green Deal. #Sustainability #AgricultureInnovation #PlantBreeding #GreenDeal #CPVO #FutureOfFarming #EUagriculture

🌾 A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe? Yesterday marked a significant milestone as the European Commission unveils the final report from the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture. This report is set to be a cornerstone in shaping the Commission’s Vision for Agriculture and Food, which will be unveiled within the first 100 days of President von der Leyen’s second term. At Carlsberg Group, we’re supporting this transformative journey. Our focus? Accelerating the shift to regenerative agriculture—a powerful solution to some of today’s most pressing agri-food challenges. With the right policy frameworks, funding, and data mechanisms in place, the EU Commission has the potential to create an environment where sustainable practices can thrive. It’s crucial that we continue to recognize the importance of these practices in shaping the future of our food systems. Together with our partners, we’re committed to diving into the report’s recommendations and driving meaningful change towards a more sustainable future for agriculture. Let’s plant the seeds of change today for a greener, more resilient tomorrow! 🌾 #SustainableFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #EUCommission #FutureOfAgriculture

We are taking action today.     Our new report outlines the priorities, opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the UK livestock and aquaculture sectors 🌊🐔    “Agri-tech innovation has significant potential to support sustainable and resilient livestock and aquaculture systems, but to do so, we must get ahead of the curve and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges today.    This report acts as a catalyst for stakeholders across the supply chain to come together and explore solutions for these sectors. We are committed to working collaboratively with industry in response to our findings and to make headway on the innovation priorities identified. The steps we take now will shape the future, addressing pressures in areas such as animal health and maximising opportunities in others, for example, engineering biology.” - Phil Bicknell, UK Agri-Tech Centre CEO     To sustain the expected increase in population, the agri-industries need to develop commercially viable, sustainable solutions and climate-smart food systems that meet societal need.     👉How can we address these big challenges?     👉Can agri-tech enable resilient systems that tackle food security and mitigate the effects of climate and disease pressures?     We’ve worked with 150 experts across the agri-food supply chain to identify 11 cross-sector research and innovation priorities to guide the future of agri-food.     This report highlights innovation hotspots to increase productivity and minimise the impact on our planet.     The UK Agri-Tech Centre is the largest agri-tech organisation, that takes a whole systems approach catalysing innovative solutions to real-world problems. Contact us to learn more about how we can support you.     ➡️Download the report: https://ow.ly/ipIT50SEc1Y   ✉️Email us: info@ukagritechcentre.com    🔗Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eEXZAqmA    #connect #inspire #grow #adopt #resilientsystems #intelligentagriculture #acceleratingagritech #agritech #agribusiness 

Our work is driven by the essential transformation of food production in Europe for a more sustainable world. The name PATHWAYS implies we are at a crossroads, and this is true! The future holds many possibilities. Our #ForSustainableFood forum on March 7 allowed our diverse range of partners and stakeholders to discuss, deliberate, and produce a collaborative outlook on an eco-friendly transition in the livestock industry. The top three takeaways for future agriculture policy are: ✅ Performance-Based Payments (PBP) ✅Emissions Reduction Incentives ✅Shift Towards Sustainable Diets towards the creation of more sustainable #FoodSystems in 🇪🇺, 🇬🇧, and beyond! Read more below in our policy brief. For more on how we arrived at these conclusions, see our forum streamed live here ➡ https://lnkd.in/eQ8yJcwW