Dear Commissioner Hansen: Let’s Talk!

Europe’s food system is at a breaking point. While mega agribusinesses thrive, small-scale farmers struggle with unfair incomes, consumers face soaring prices, and industrial farming fuels the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity destruction, and pollution.

In a letter published today, 43 NGOs from the EU Food Policy Coalition urge the new Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen to adopt a bold, integrated approach for fair, sustainable, and resilient food systems.

Our main asks include: 

Fair Prices for Farmers and Consumers

Farmers deserve to be paid decently for their work, yet they are often forced to sell their products below production costs. Establishing an agri-food chain observatory could ensure transparency of prices, costs and margins along the food chains, while addressing unfair trading practices.

In parallel, VAT reductions can make sustainable, healthy products affordable for customers.

Healthy, Sustainable Choices for All

Member States can lead by example,  by prioritising healthy, nutritious food in public instutitions (e.g. hospitals, schools, retirement homes, etc). This should be leveraged through the update of the Public Procurement Directive, which can set minimum standards.

An action plan for plant-based foods and EU laws protecting children from unhealthy food marketing should be set up by 2026.

Public Money for Sustainable Farmers and Food Producers

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should be revised to financially support those who need it most, particularly smallscale farms and new farmers/farm producers,  as well as those adopting high environmental, social and animal welfare practices.

Food and Farming Systems Must Work for Nature and the Climate

Farming practices must evolve to address climate change, biodiversity destruction and pollution.

Enforcing existing environmental legislation like the Nature Restoration Law can help farmers transition to resilient, sustainable methods, including organic and agroecological practices, while special attention should be given to regions with high livestock densities.

Away with Industrial Factory Farming

EU animal welfare rules on the keeping and killing of animals (including aquatic ones) should be modernised, with a transition to non-cage farming as demanded by citizens in the End the Cage Age ECI. The establishment of an Agri-Food Just Transition Fund can offer dedicated support to farmers making this change.