42. #SIA: what is Europe doing for farming?

It was in a climate of tension that the Salon de l’Agriculture International (International Agricultural Show) was held from 24 February to 3 March 2024 in Paris – something that Food for Europe simply couldn’t miss. As farmers’ anger rumbled across Europe, French farmers made their voices heard at the show. The 2024 edition was marred by scuffles and damage. How, in this context, can we evoke opinions and perspectives without exacerbating tensions? The public debate moderated by Olaf Bruns for Food for Europe attempted to rise to the challenge. Its theme? What is Europe doing for agriculture? The programme’s two guests were Christiane Lambert, President of COPA, the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations of the European Union, and Catherine Geslain-Lannélle, director in charge of strategy and policy analysis at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture. They discussed what the European Union brings to citizens in general, and to farmers in particular, including food security, a single market and financial support. They also discussed the frustration of farmers who say they are drowning in an 'administrative tsunami' and how to respond to it – including the measures recently proposed by the Commission to lighten the burden. The 42nd episode of Food for Europe brings you the highlights of this debate which you can watch in its entirety on YouTube.