The new EU agriculture and food Commissioner, Christophe Hansen, has been criticized for a “farmer-centric” approach that seems to prioritize agriculture over broader food-related issues. Despite his commitment to presenting a comprehensive vision for agriculture and food within the first 100 days of his mandate, stakeholders in the food value chain have expressed concerns about an overemphasis on farming and a lack of attention to food consumption and affordability.
Hansen’s initial responses to questions posed by MEPs have left many disappointed, with some feeling that broader aspects of the food chain have been sidelined. The food industry, including European consumer organizations and food manufacturers, believes that Hansen’s focus on agriculture may be influenced by the questions asked by the European Parliament’s agriculture committee, which tends to prioritize agricultural issues. However, they hope that Hansen’s approval hearing next month will provide more insight into his plans for the food sector.
The livelihood of farmers is a key concern for Hansen, who has pledged to strengthen farmers’ bargaining power to prevent them from being forced to sell below production costs. This includes potentially revising the Unfair Trade Practices (UTP) directive to address power imbalances in the food supply chain. While farmers strongly support this initiative, retailers are calling for a more balanced representation of the entire value chain to ensure a fact-based understanding of its functioning.
Stakeholders are also disappointed by the lack of commitment to a sustainable food systems framework, a major goal of the previous Farm to Fork strategy that remains unfinished. Both consumer organizations and retailers stress the importance of this framework in providing legal clarity, balancing obligations across the supply chain, and establishing science-based standards to support sustainability. Dropping the sustainable food systems law would be seen as misguided by many as it is crucial in advancing the sustainability transition in the agri-food sector.
The upcoming revision of the Unfair Trade Practices (UTP) directive is expected to be challenging, with Hansen already appearing to side firmly with farmers. However, Eurocommerce, the retailers’ lobby, emphasizes the crucial role that retail and wholesale sectors play in maintaining a competitive, resilient Europe. They call for a balanced representation of the entire value chain and a fact-based understanding of its functioning to ensure a fair and sustainable food supply chain that supports both farmers and consumers.
In conclusion, the criticism aimed at Christophe Hansen’s “farmer-centric” approach highlights the need for a more balanced and comprehensive vision for agriculture and food in the EU. Stakeholders across the food value chain are calling for greater attention to food-related issues, including consumption, affordability, and sustainability. As Hansen prepares to present his roadmap for agriculture and food within the first 100 days of his mandate, many are hoping for a more inclusive approach that addresses the challenges facing both farmers and the broader food industry.
