Agricultural sustainability should be at the forefront when the next reform of the European Union’s farm policies takes place. This is one of the main conclusions of a report by the European Political Strategy Centre (EPSC) – the in-house think-tank of the European Commission.

The author of the report, Karl Falkenberg, Senior Advisor for Sustainable Development to the Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, was tasked to assess how to integrate sustainable development in EU policies.

The report, Sustainability Now! A European Vision for a Sustainable Future, covers a number of sectors among which agriculture, the environment and seafood come in for full attention (see under Sustainability Hotspots) with recommendations on strengthening rural development support instead of direct payments linked to acreage.

Mr. Falkenberg argues, that given the EU’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and food production, changes must lead to a re-think of the Common Agricultural Policy with a long-term vision inclusive of people who produce and people who consume. And also inclusive of the land where food is grown.

The report places emphasis on further development of agro-ecology as building on the “natural synergies between plants, animals, humans and their environment which brings to farming the three dimensions of sustainable development: to sustain agricultural production, preserve healthy environments and support viable food and farming communities.”

A passing reference is given to the development of precision agriculture which the report concedes helps farmers distribute a precise amount of pesticides, fertilizers and water. But counters those benefits by stating that productivity is still the main objective and the system “nevertheless falls short of building a more integrated farming system, which maintains a healthy soil ecosystem and a healthy work environment for farmers, who are less economically dependent on external inputs”.

The report also covers seafood and recommends that integrated sustainable management of oceans “requires an integrated holistic approach, covering all aspects of maritime activities, at sea and on land. It requires extending the existing international framework to cover areas beyond national jurisdiction before deep sea activities have reached their potentially damaging levels. And it requires substantial strengthening of the implementation of this framework at global, national and regional levels.”

On trade and market access, the report states that trade policy must contribute to “reducing global inequalities, creating qualitatively different growth bringing more inclusive social benefits while staying within the ecological limits of our planet. This may take the form of more sustainability certification schemes, fair trade labels.”