Dr. Armin Hartmuth, Director of the Bavarian Representation to the EU

Michaele Kaniber, State Minister for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism of Bavaria (video)

& Kathrin Voreck (Sonnenpusterei, Beilngries)

2) Adam Nowak (Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in Poland)

3) Norbert Lins (MEP, Chair of the AGRI Committee)

4) Mario Milouchev (Director at DG AGRI, European Commission)

- Lins highlighted that agriculture is more than farming—it includes local infrastructure like bakers and butchers, which are disappearing. Questions were raised about the future of the second pillar: whether a single fund, competitive fund, or national strategies should be pursued. He thanked Poland and the German government for supporting the two-pillar approach.

- Milouchev addressed the agricultural skills gap—only 10% of workers have full training. Advisors need targeted qualifications to meet farmers' needs.

- €3.6 billion has been allocated in this CAP period for knowledge building and transfer.

- Priorities include: boosting sustainability and resilience, promoting dialogue among farmers, advisors, and stakeholders, strengthening advisory roles, ensuring competitiveness balanced with sustainability, providing fair income and quality of life (e.g. healthcare, AI access, transport), supporting smart advisory processes, national training, Erasmus+, lifelong learning, and advisor networks

• Debate around the two-pillar model of agricultural funding; many countries support it.

• Questions raised about financial sources, referencing NATO budgets and other spending priorities.

• Emphasis on simplifying policies and linking them to the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFR).

• Need for continued strong financial support for farmers due to their reliance on payments and broader concerns like food sovereignty and climate resilience.

• Some post-crisis recovery funds (RAF) haven’t been spent as initially intended.

🌾 Future of Agriculture (10–15 Years)

• Predicted structural transformations with stronger links between rural and urban areas.

• Agriculture seen as strategic, tied to food security, climate challenges, and digitalisation.

• Support for farmers must continue as land availability declines (e.g. due to PV installations).

• Farmers are seen as key knowledge holders; advisory systems should support but not replace this expertise.

• There's concern about young people avoiding agriculture due to uncertainty.

🚜 Protests & Societal Value

• Farmer protests highlight deeper issues beyond specific costs like diesel.

• Sustainability efforts (e.g. carbon farming, nature credits, Highland cattle) have ecological benefits but require societal investment.

• Emphasis on recognizing and valuing farmers, ensuring fair compensation to maintain motivation and accompany structural change without disruption.

🧑‍🏫 Advisory Systems & Access

• Call for high-integrity, knowledgeable advisors, separated from commercial interests.

• Mix of public and private advisory structures, with public trust favoring independent expertise.

• Concerns over barriers for newcomers into agriculture; it's financially demanding without family background.

• Need for educator support, AKIS integration, and generational renewal.

🐺 Policy Alignment & Final Thoughts

• Tension between biodiversity goals and sustainability; sustainability should encompass environmental, social, and economic pillars.

• Farmers need clearer policies and less contradiction in expectations.

• Final statement emphasized a shared responsibility among public institutions, science, and stakeholders. Thanks were expressed for support and collaboration.