# European agricultural policy advocacy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-agricultural-policy-advocacy > Updated: 2026-10-17T18:33:45.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. During the 12th European Farmers Congress held in Stockholm from October 14–16, agricultural organizations COPA and Cogeca, in collaboration with the Federation of Swedish Farmers, addressed critical challenges facing the sector. Delegates discussed vulnerabilities caused by extreme weather, geopolitical instability, trade tensions, and inflation. The congress concluded with the presentation and signing of the ‘Stockholm Declaration’. This document serves as a collective appeal to EU leaders to recognize agriculture as a fundamental pillar of European security, defense, and operational readiness. The declaration outlines six primary objectives: establishing agriculture as a security pillar, ensuring an adequate budget for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), maintaining the common nature of the CAP, enhancing competitiveness and market access, respecting agricultural diversity through simplification, and enabling increased productivity and innovation. Leaders emphasized that current decisions regarding the EU budget and the CAP will determine Europe’s ability to remain resilient and feed its citizens. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-17: European Farmers Congress addresses food security in Stockholm At the European Farmers Congress in Stockholm, delegates addressed food security, climate vulnerability, and geopolitical instability, signing the Stockholm Declaration to protect the CAP budget. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-farmers-congress-addresses-food-security-in-stockholm ### 2026-10-15: COPA-Cogeca issues Stockholm Declaration to defend EU agricultural policy Agricultural organizations COPA and Cogeca issued the Stockholm Declaration at the European Farmers Congress, calling for the CAP to be recognized as a pillar of EU security, competitiveness, and food stability 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/copa-cogeca-issues-stockholm-declaration-to-defend-eu-agricultural-policy --- Cite as: European agricultural policy advocacy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-agricultural-policy-advocacy