The European Union needs to ensure its agriculture sector is more resilient, competitive, and independent, according to Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food.
In an interview on RTL Radio Luxembourg on Saturday, Hansen outlined the key priorities for Europe's farming sector, ranging from dairy production and fertiliser supply to climate change adaptation and generational renewal on farms.
Hansen warned that the livelihoods of the 68 dairy farms supplying the EKABE dairy (Lactalis) are under threat, referencing the recent crisis surrounding the company.
This situation impacts 52 million litres of milk per year and endangers the existence of many farms, including young businesses that have made significant investments in recent years.
To address this, the Commissioner considers it crucial to gain time and seek transitional solutions, while also working towards sustainable alternatives.
He believes that farmers will be in a stronger negotiating position with large processors if they organise themselves into cooperatives or producer associations, and added that the possibility of integration with Luxlait should also be examined.
Looking to the future of Europe's dairy sector, Hansen emphasised that the focus should not be on mass production, but rather on processing high-quality products, given Europe's position as a global leader in food safety and animal welfare standards.
According to him, product origin must be made more transparent and thus enable consumers to make conscious choices in favour of European and local products.
Since Europe produces more milk than it consumes, the EU needs to develop new export markets, Hansen said.
Therefore, he explained that trade missions are intended to help promote European quality products in third countries and thereby secure the dairy sector's future in the long term.
Another major topic discussed was the high cost of fertilisers. Hansen noted that these price increases did not begin with the recent tensions in the Middle East, but have been ongoing since the energy crisis.
In response, he said, the EU has launched a fertiliser action plan designed to make Europe less dependent on imports.
Alongside boosting European mineral fertiliser production, the European Commission is promoting a greater use of organic fertilisers, better utilisation of biogas digestate, and the processing of agricultural by-products, as well as a shift towards a more circular economy, according to Hansen.
Modern technologies and precision agriculture should help to improve fertiliser efficiency, he added.
At the same time, Hansen underlined that fertilisers must remain affordable for farmers, which is why the EU has temporarily facilitated imports from alternative countries of origin.
Hansen named climate change as one of the greatest challenges facing agriculture, with droughts and extreme weather events becoming increasingly frequent, leading to losses in harvests.
In addition to financial support, Europe must improve its ability to adapt, he said. This will require investments in efficient irrigation systems, water infrastructure, and the development of new, more resilient plant varieties, according to Hansen.
He added that new genetic technologies may also play a role, but insisted that transparent labelling must be guaranteed.
Turning to the European Pact on Asylum and Migration, which came into force in June, Hansen emphasised the importance of distinguishing clearly between legal and illegal migration.
He said that those fleeing war and violence must continue to receive protection, but that the EU must also better control its external borders and combat illegal migration.
Regarding so-called return hubs in third countries, Hansen stated that these should only be established in full compliance with human rights. He added that they could help make the migration system work more effectively.
On the wider geopolitical situation, including the wars in Ukraine and Iran, Europe must strengthen its defence capabilities, Hansen said.
However, he cautioned that not every conflict can be solved militarily, and that diplomacy, sanctions, and dialogue will continue to play an important role.
