The European Dairy Association (EDA) Policy Conference in Brussels, Belgium, convened on April 10 to deliberate the future of dairy and the trials agricultural producers in the EU are experiencing. Owing to the EU Green Deal and other policies perceived as detrimental to their businesses, right-leaning and populist parties have ardently supported the farmers’ cause, thereby bolstering their poll standings. The conference provided a stage for three MEP candidates to present their future visions for dairy and engage in Q&A sessions with attendees, including representatives from food manufacturers, trade associations, and governments.
Jessika Van Leeuwen of the Netherlands’ Farmer-Citizen Movement, and Didier Leportois from France’s Rural Alliance, conjointly voiced the farmer’s plight. They expressed that farmers have been under duress due to European policies in recent years. The duo also argued that EU produce should be safeguarded from imitation products in the export markets and urged for a more flexible approach towards land use regulations and emissions reductions.
Van Leeuwen stated, “Farmer protests have helped mitigate some of the most oppressive regulations, but it might be too late.” She urged the EU to protect fertile lands and promote food production, echoing a scheme similar to Nature 2000. Van Leeuwen also proposed radical changes such as scrapping the nature restoration law, banning hybrid dairy products, and avoiding on-farm ESG measures. She passionately pleaded, “Convert the Green Deal into a Real Deal, where objectives are realistic and affordable.”
At the conference, diverse perspectives were encouraged. Hansen advocated for a more empathetic approach towards agri-food producers, arguing that farmers are often misjudged as the problem, neglecting their potential as the solution. The focus, he insisted, should be on technologies that could decarbonize or trim down agriculture’s emissions rather than purely numeric targets. Van Leeuwen added that they advocate a constant development towards sustainable and highly productive agriculture, absolving the sector from rigid rules, leaving more room for innovation.
European regulators, represented by Wolfgang Burtscher, the Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development in the European Commission, emphasized the importance of a data-driven approach. This approach aims to showcase the sector’s progress fitting within the broader EU27 context. However, Burtscher candidly acknowledged that they are lagging behind when it comes to accurately measuring the results of these measures.
Van Leeuwen and Leportois expressed their opposition to regulatory emissions reduction strategies. Van Leeuwen argued the timelines for setting targets are too broad, leaving little room for creativity and innovation, she advocates for a gradual approach to measures. Leportois echoed a similar sentiment, advocating for slow and steady change, enabling the people to adapt and be part of the system.
On the topic of dietary alternatives, Van Leeuwen proposed banning hybrid dairy products due to their dubious nutritional profile and unclear pricing strategy. However, this area remains contentious within the EU, especially with labeling rules and dairy alternative representation. While dairy alternative products are currently prohibited from using familiar descriptors like ‘butter’ and ‘cheese’, concrete evidence is lacking on whether consumers are truly confused between dairy and its alternatives.
Representatives from food companies and dairy cooperatives also shared their views on the subject of target-setting, emissions reporting, land use policies, and sustainability incentives. This included map-outs of their emissions reduction targets as well as their approach towards land use and other regulations.
In conclusion, debates around target-setting, emissions reporting, land use policies, and sustainability incentives linger. While some argue for less stringent measures to stimulate innovation, others believe a more standardized approach is crucial in maintaining the quality of dairy products and the environment.
