IUCN statement on the released Vision for Agriculture and Food by Commissioner Christophe Hansen

IUCN appreciates the Vision’s recognition of agriculture’s role in addressing climate change, preserving soil health, water and air quality, and protecting and restoring biodiversity, while also acknowledging that "opportunities from nature and climate protection can provide a positive agenda for European agriculture." Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in agri-food systems have been proven to yield high economic, social, and environmental benefits, and thus we welcome the recognition of NbS as solutions for the ecological transition by the Vision. IUCN has long advocated that healthy ecosystems form the foundation of socially fair and economically viable food systems. Tackling the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution must be a priority for the agricultural sector. As Europe aims for more resilient food systems, IUCN raises concerns about mechanisms that focus solely on economic viability while overlooking responses to these interconnected crises, which are already impacting food production and livelihoods. 

“Farmers depend on nature to ensure food production,” an extract from the released Vision for Agriculture and Food. 

Farmers are at the heart of our food systems and play a crucial role in safeguarding nature while ensuring the provision of multiple ecosystem services. Their contributions must be recognised and rewarded with fair wages that support their families. IUCN welcomes Commissioner Hansen’s focus on ensuring a fair distribution of revenue for farmers "who need it most," particularly smallholder farmers and other marginalised groups. At the same time, it is important to reward farmers’ efforts in conserving and restoring biodiversity in agro-ecosystems. Providing access to funding for the farming community is crucial, and IUCN supports a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that is "more directed towards farmers that actively engage in food production, towards the economic vitality of farms and the preservation of our environment." IUCN welcomes the recognition of the CAP as an essential tool for an “ambitious and future-oriented EU agricultural policy” and encourages incentive tools to reward farmers for their positive contributions to the environment, such as payments for environmental services, that should remain available for all farmers.

While IUCN supports the reduction of administrative burdens in recognising and allocating funds for ecosystem services, we argue in favour of locally adapted solutions that do not compromise the achievement of sustainability goals. The simplification strategy mentioned in the Vision should not undermine previously achieved environmental safeguards, which are essential assets for food production. IUCN remains committed to the principle of non-regression in environmental policy and law, as reaffirmed in its Resolution No. WCC-128-2012, recognising this as a fundamental principle for sustainable development. There are no “silver bullet” solutions and shortcuts to our triple planetary crisis, and IUCN welcomes the proposal to expand available tools for farmers and enhance the recognition of best practices, provided that science-driven approaches remain central. Over the decades, IUCN has developed a wide range of science-based tools and publications to support farmers in transitioning to more sustainable practices, including the reports Approaches to Sustainable Agriculture (2020), Sustainable Agriculture and Nature-Based Solutions (2024) and Assessing the Biodiversity-Agriculture Nexus. An overview of International and EU Methods (2024). Any simplification and alignment of certification, standards, and reporting should maintain or enhance the highest environmental standards.

IUCN supports the ambition to reduce harmful pesticide use, prioritise soil health, and enhance water resilience while promoting circularity in nutrient management at the farm level to minimise negative externalities. IUCN looks forward to an ambitious Water Resilience Strategy, along with the forthcoming publication of the Vision on fisheries and aquaculture sector. 

IUCN welcomes the commitment to “better implementation, streamlining, and enforcement of existing legislation,” along with the Commissioner’s proposal for a bottom-up approach that aligns current policies with coherent objectives. These recommendations align with IUCN flagship publications such as our Common Ground on Food and Agricultural Systems series. In this context, IUCN strongly supports building upon the historical consensus of the Strategic Dialogue recommendations and encourages opportunities for cross-sectoral dialogue. 

IUCN and its extensive network of experts stand ready to support a holistic transformation of the food system, acknowledging the shared responsibility of all supply chain actors in ensuring a just, fair and necessary sustainable transition. As the perspectives of all actors are essential, IUCN calls for inclusive consultation processes that ensure full representation of relevant stakeholders. Finally, while simplification and optimisation of environmental and agricultural policy implementation are welcome, they must not compromise democratic principles, broad stakeholder engagement, or the ability to build consensus.