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📣 NEW PUBLICATION | From protests to policy: What is the future for EU #agriculture in the #GreenTransition? In this EPC Commentary, Stefan Sipka, Marialena Stagianni, and Brooke Moore highlight the need for the EU to ensure its short-term reactions to the rolling wave of farmers’ discontent and raging food crisis align with the long-term ambitions of the European #GreenDeal. Read it now 👇

In a last bid before the election, several farmers associations descended on Brussels this week, protesting environmental policy. In case you missed it, check out our analysis of farmer protests and how some decision-makers and consumers perceive them. To complete our analysis to date, we used the Penta Live platform to generate the most up-to-date insights data on volume and sentiment. The data shows a surge in attention this week (∼150K), yet not as steep as in mid-May when the Polish farmers’ protests were taking place (∼530K). Most interestingly, while attention has decreased since last year, the sentiment is now predominantly negative (while it was primarily neutral before). Read our full analysis and get in touch with our Agri-Food experts in Brussels: https://bit.ly/45aJbZi

As angry farmers keep protesting across Europe, I dare ask you: how much do you really know about the EU agriculture sector? Here are some facts and figures to broaden your mind. https://lnkd.in/eccrZ7mT

Explore the wave of farmers' protests sweeping across European and Asian countries as agricultural communities unite in demanding crucial reforms. From France to India, farmers are raising their voices for fair wages, protection from foreign competition, and comprehensive changes to agricultural policies. Discover the shared challenges and collective aspirations fueling this global movement for a sustainable and equitable agricultural future. https://lnkd.in/eDXPEFvx

📰 In their commentary 'From protests to policy: What is the future for EU agriculture in the green transition?', Stefan Sipka, Marialena Stagianni and Brooke Moore delve into the wave of farmers’ discontent and raging food crisis, and its implications regarding the European Green Deal. Read it here 👇

Today, as EU leaders gather for a special EU summit focusing on the EU’s long-term budget, farmers have brought central Brussels to a standstill. Farmers’ protests have erupted across Europe in recent weeks, emphasising deep discontent over agricultural policies and economic pressures. There is the mounting feeling amongst farmers that they are being over-regulated by Brussels, largely through environmental policies, and also let down by free-trade agreements, including ongoing Mercosur negotiations. Protests have been seen across the 27 EU member states and have shown how just a few hundred tractors can bring traffic to a standstill in capitals from Berlin to Paris, Brussels and Rome. https://lnkd.in/eGPe6s-G

Verisk's latest research shows that Europe has become the global focal point for agricultural unrest. Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) shows that there have been 5,728 farmer-led protests globally so far this year. However, over 4,000 of these have been logged for Europe alone, constituting a 300% increase in incidents for the region compared to 2023 as a whole. “With the agricultural sector accounting for almost a third of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions, a growing number of governments are seeking to curb the sector’s emissions to meet reduction targets,” writes Torbjorn Soltvedt. “Friction between farmers and governments is set to rise in parallel, raising the risk of disruptive protests in a growing number of countries and cities.” Read the full insight here: vrsk.co/3xPqYnz #protests #civilunrest #agriculture #farming

Growing farmer discontent amidst protests and political challenges Continued farmer protests and political setbacks pose challenges to garnering the necessary widespread support for sustainable agriculture. Nevertheless, the movement shows resilience and determination. #agriinvestment #farmerprotests #agriculture https://okt.to/gQR8hI

What do farmer protests in Europe have to do with farmers in Asian, Latin American and African countries? Last week, I spoke with Moira Alejandra Cornejo Zambrana of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation about this: "We should focus on supporting the first two groups – helping frontrunners maintain their status and facilitating the transition for those aspiring to be frontrunners. The reality for these farmers across Europe is similar to farmers globally: current policies do not adequately support them. Both ENDS works with pioneering civil society and farmer organisations that connect with other farmers to join their efforts on, for instance, agroecology and food forests. Policy efforts globally have historically centred on the third group of farmers, instead of the first two. This started to shift in recent years, but caused discontent and insecurity among farmers most resistant to change, as well as among companies invested in the current system." "... When formulating trade policy or negotiating trade agreements, states tend to overlook the perspectives of the farmers who are not necessarily at the forefront of sustainable practices but aspire to be. This applies not only to the Netherlands and other European countries but also to Brazil or Indonesia, among many countries in the global south." Voedsel Anders Netwerk NL SDG Nederland Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit https://lnkd.in/eMrBSKrk

The recent report from The Telegraph highlights a significant victory for protesting farmers in Brussels, resulting in the EU backtracking on contentious agricultural policies. Farmers across Europe mobilized to oppose proposed reforms, citing concerns over the potential impact on their livelihoods. This successful pushback underscores the influence of grassroots movements in shaping policy decisions at the European level and underscores the importance of listening to and addressing the concerns of those directly affected by regulatory changes. The resolution of this standoff prompts contemplation on the delicate balance between agricultural policy objectives and the realities faced by farmers on the ground. It underscores the necessity for policymakers to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders and consider the diverse perspectives within the farming community when formulating regulations. This victory for protesting farmers serves as a reminder of the significance of advocacy and collective action in shaping policies that affect rural livelihoods, emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap between policy intent and practical implementation. #FarmersWin #EUProtestVictory #AgriculturalPolicyDialogue #GrassrootsMovement #PolicyImpact