Europe advances new agri-food R&D and environmental incentive frameworks

The European Union is advancing new strategic frameworks for the agri-food sector through research, development, and innovation. In Brussels, discussions are underway regarding a new framework that integrates primary production and food systems under a single strategy. This approach consists of two complementary frameworks: AgRI 2040, which focuses on agriculture, forestry, and rural areas, and Food 2040, which targets food systems including fisheries and aquaculture.

Simultaneously, the ECOPESIA project, led by CITA under the Horizon Europe program, has launched its initial phase to develop Payments for Environmental Services (PES). This initiative aims to provide economic incentives to farmers and ranchers who perform beneficial environmental actions, such as biodiversity conservation, soil and water quality improvement, carbon sequestration, and wildfire risk reduction. The project seeks to move beyond current limited practices by designing payment schemes based on tangible environmental results.

Both the strategic R&D frameworks and the ECOPESIA project emphasize cross-cutting priorities including competitiveness, food security, resource efficiency, and circular economy to address climate change and sector resilience.