Opportunities and challenges for Common Agricultural Policy reform to support the European Green Deal

Abstract

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the European Union's main instrument for agricultural planning, with a new reform approved for 2023-2027. The CAP intends to be aligned with the European Green Deal, a set of policy initiatives underpinning sustainable development and climate neutrality in the EU, but several flaws cast doubts about the compatibility of the objectives of these two policies. We reviewed recent literature on the potential of CAP environmental objectives for integration with the Green Deal: protection of biodiversity, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and sustainable management of natural resources. We found the CAP lacks appropriate planning measures, furthering instead the risk to biodiversity and ecosystem services driven by landscape and biotic homogenization. Funding allocation mechanisms are not tailored to mitigate agricultural emissions, decreasing the efficiency of climate mitigation actions. The legislation subsidises farms making extensive use of synthetic inputs without adequately supporting organic production, hindering the transition towards sustainable practices. We recommend proper control mechanisms to be introduced in CAP Strategic Plans from each Member State, to ensure the EU is set towards a sustainable production and consumption path. These include proportional assignment of funds to each CAP objective, quantitative targets to set goals and evidence-based interventions, and relevant indicators to facilitate effective monitoring of environmental performance. Additionally, both the CAP and the Green Deal should maintain ambitious environmental commitments in the face of crisis, to avoid further degradation of the natural resources on which our production systems stand.

Vermicomposting as a Valorization Solution to the Winery Sector By-Products

“…In light of the ongoing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices in the European Union [127], the integration of vermicomposting into governmental strategies has shown potential to address several environmental challenges while fostering agricultural resilience [128]. Vermicomposting aligns seamlessly with government policies and frameworks, such as the European Green Deal, that promote the transition to a circular economy and mitigate the environmental footprint of various industries, including viticulture [129]. Governments can effectively address several pressing concerns by incorporating vermicomposting into these strategies, including the management of organic waste generated by the vine and wine industry, the restoration of soil health and fertility through the use of nutrient-rich vermicomposts instead of chemical fertilizers, and an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional waste disposal methods.…”

Exploring the Synergy between Humic Acid Substances, Dehydrogenase Activity and Soil Fertility

“…The aspiration under the European Green Deal activities is to reduce the use of not only mineral fertilizers, but also antibiotics and pesticides [55]. The use of enzymes such as dehydrogenases may contribute to effective soil monitoring and designing appropriate cultivation strategies to ensure environmental safety and financial security for farmers [29,30,57]. With the use of biological and physicochemical parameters, this can become the basis for long-term research to control and monitor the condition of soils and verify suggested solutions to improve the natural and agricultural environment.…”

Unraveling the European Agricultural Policy Sustainable Development Trajectory

“…More recent studies have emphasized the importance of harmonizing CAP policies with the EU's climate and biodiversity aspirations [145,146] while accentuating the imperative to integrate environmental and climate objectives into the CAP to ensure its contribution to the EGD's objectives [147,148]. Academic research has also emphasized the necessity of dovetailing the CAP with the Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN [147].…”

“…More recent studies have emphasized the importance of harmonizing CAP policies with the EU's climate and biodiversity aspirations [145,146] while accentuating the imperative to integrate environmental and climate objectives into the CAP to ensure its contribution to the EGD's objectives [147,148]. Academic research has also emphasized the necessity of dovetailing the CAP with the Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN [147]. Specifically, the pertinence of Goal 2, which aims at reducing hunger, attaining food security, enhancing nutrition, and fostering sustainable agriculture, is of critical significance from this perspective [149,150].…”