A new perspective paper jointly authored by the Horizon Europe projects LAMASUS, BrightSpace, and ACT4CAP27 underscores the vital role of a sustainable agricultural sector in ensuring the EU’s long-term economic prosperity, environmental health, and geopolitical resilience. Developed by leading economic modellers and project coordinators, the paper outlines how agriculture — often overlooked in strategic policy debates—is a foundational pillar of the EU economy and food system, with strong links to climate action, trade, innovation, and rural development.
Titled “Sustainable Agricultural Sector: A Key Component of EU Economic Prosperity and Security – An Economic Modellers’ Perspective”, the paper presents five Priority Action Areas to guide the EU’s path beyond 2027. These include fostering farm income and resilience through result-based policies, achieving strategic autonomy in nutrient management, enhancing agrifood competitiveness through fair trade, fostering innovation in the bioeconomy, and democratising digitalisation. The paper also outlines future directions for economic modelling to better reflect system-wide transformations, from shifts in consumer demand to the integration of environmental services.
Initiated during a retreat in Laxenburg, Austria in early 2025, and grounded in decades of policy assessment expertise, the paper aims to stimulate dialogue among policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in shaping the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and broader EU strategy. It highlights how model-informed policies can help balance economic opportunity, food security, and environmental sustainability — especially in a time of growing uncertainty and strategic urgency for Europe.
🔗Download and read the executive summary (pdf on Zenodo)
🔗Download and read the full paper (pdf on Zenodo)
🔗Download and read the press release (pdf / text-only version on Zenodo)
