The first edition of Terra Madre Europe concludes with a powerful call to action for European Institutions

The inaugural edition of Terra Madre Europe has come to a close, issuing a strong and clear message to European institutions currently shaping the next seven-year budget: the agroecological transition must be a top priority.

“As the EU Commission finalises its proposals on the next European budget and the Common Agricultural Policy, we ask that public money be invested to support those who are nourishing communities, ecosystems, economies and culture, namely agroecological farmers. The Common Agricultural Policy must support the transition to agroecology for all farmers while encouraging youth and new entrants into agriculture”, says Marta Messa, Secretary General of Slow Food. 

The three-day event brought together farmers, fishers, and food artisans from across the EU and from Ukraine to share their stories, challenges, and visions for a food system rooted in ecological balance and social justice. These are the people at the forefront of the agroecological transition, and they shared policy recommendations.

Jacopo Goracci, a Slow Food Farmer from Italy, drew attention to the broad societal value of agroecological production, frequently underestimated or overlooked. Agroecological farms do not simply produce food, they also provide ecosystem services, healthy and diverse meals for local communities, educational opportunities, and beautiful landscapes that enhance well-being and support tourism.

David Sebastian Peacock, Slow Food farmer from one of the areas most plagued by monocultures close to Berlin (Germany), drew comparisons between the very largest monocultures in his region reaching 1000 hectares and farms like his extending on 125 hectares, the public subsidies that the largest monocultures depend on for survival while producing crops that are not sustainable and not for local consumption, and the deep connections of the smaller agroecological farms to urban schools and businesses.

Erica Anna Miller-Herren, a young agroecological farmer from Sweden, spoke in favour of public subsidies helping new entrants and youth to launch their farms, explaining that the lack of support poses an almost insurmountable threshold for the passionate young people who would like to engage in agriculture but lack the means to do so.

Likewise, George Catean, Slow Food farmer from Romania testified to the importance of rural development resources to encourage farmers to embrace the transition, to go gradually further in their sustainability efforts, while explaining that Slow Food farmers do not want to make a living out of public subsidies.

Beyond the producers, the event also celebrated the incredibly important role of chefs as champions of local producers and as educators towards their clients. Chefs from the Slow Food Cooks’ Alliance from across Europe teamed up with Belgian counterparts to create a series of “four-hands” dinners, culinary experiences that embodied the idea that food can connect farmers, food artisans and those who eat, creating awareness about the crucial role of agroecological producers and about the choices that we have as individuals.

A major milestone of Terra Madre Europe was also marked with the launch of the first Belgian Slow Food Earth Market, a tangible step toward strengthening local food networks and deepening the connection between producers and consumers in the heart of the city.

The event is co-funded by the European Union through the LIFE Programme. With the support of Ville de Bruxelles and Spa Bru.

Slow Food Press Office

Alessia Pautasso – [email protected] (+39) 342 8641029
Alice Poiron – [email protected] (+32) 4 73 77 07 39
Paola Nano – [email protected] (+39) 329 8321285