European Agriculture Research Articles

Seedling emergence and biomass production of soybean cultivars under wheat-soybean relay cropping.

Diversification and intensification of cropping systems can ensure farm profitability while reducing negative environmental impacts of agriculture. Wheat-soybean relay cropping (RC), which consists in planting soybean into standing wheat prior to its harvest, may have this potential although it is poorly adopted by French and European farmers. One of the reasons underlying this lack of adoption could be poor emergence rates and biomass production of soybean, due to a severe competition from the already established primary crop for water, light and nutrients during the co-growth or intercrop phase. All these constraints during the early plant growth could finally affect soybean grain yield and thus farm profitability. Here, we performed a laboratory experiment followed by a 2-year field trial (2021-2022) to investigate potential differences among seven soybean cultivars belonging to different maturity groups (from very early to late) in terms of early growth traits viz. seed germination, seedling emergence vigor and final rates, and early biomass production in wheat-soybean RC. A reference soybean variety belonging to late maturity group (cv. ES Pallador) was also sown under conventional cropping system as control treatment (hereafter referred to as CC). Under laboratory conditions, the base water potential for germination ranged from -0.65 to -0.45 MPa with significant differences (p<0.001) among the tested cultivars indicating their differential tolerance to water stress. Under field conditions, seedling emergence vigor, an index explaining the speed of emergence, ranged from 0.23 to 0.41 and from 0.24 to 0.33 while final emergence rates ranged from 69% to 93% and from 65 to 90% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. We found significant effect of cultivar, year and cultivar x year interaction on emergence vigor (p<0.001) and final emergence rates (p<0.01, p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) of soybean cultivars. Significantly higher emergence vigor of the referent cv. ES Pallador was observed in RC compared to CC cropping system in 2021 (0.40 and 0.34, respectively) but not in 2022 (0.29 and 0.31, respectively). Water stress in the seedbed was higher in RC compared to the CC and was the main cause affecting seed germination and seedling emergence vigor especially in 2022. We found a positive correlation between seedling emergence vigor and seedling final emergence rates indicating that a lower speed of seedling emergence, due to seedbed stress factors, affects final emergence rates of soybean. Post-emergence losses due to pigeons were significantly higher (p<0.001) in CC compared to RC (30% and 2% in 2021, and 29% and 2% in 2022 in CC and RC, respectively). Significantly higher biomass production was observed in CC compared to that in RC both in 2021 (162 vs 33 g/m2 of dry matter; p<0.001) and 2022 (252 vs 60 g/m2 of dry matter; p<0.001). Overall, pre-/post-emergence water stress in the seedbed and post-emergence damage due to pigeons are the most important factors affecting a uniform and robust soybean establishment under RC and CC, respectively under southern French conditions.

Determining the usefulness of the Copernicus High-Resolution Vegetation Phenology and Productivity Product (HR-VPP) with official agricultural data on cropland in case of the 2018 drought in the Federal State of Saxony, Germany

Abstract Remote sensing-based data on vegetation conditions provide important information for agriculture. In this study, the potential uses of the freely available High-Resolution Vegetation Phenology and Productivity Product (HR-VPP) are tested. This test examines the 2018 drought year in the state of Saxony, Germany, and the capabilities and limitations of the HR-VPP product in use with Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) data. The results show that field and crop type-specific spatial (re)analyses of a drought are possible and that there is still great potential in this data analysis. Using the data in a new proposed VPP-based Farm-Level Temporal Comparison Indicator (VPP-FLTCI), it was not possible to tease out patterns in why farms applied for state drought aid in 2018 compared to other farms. In the future, even better and more detailed analyses based on the HR-VPP can be expected, as the data series with now a total of 5 years is still very short to generate sufficient references, especially in Central European agriculture, which is characterized by crop rotation.

A note on European farmers' preferences under cumulative prospect theory

AbstractExplaining farmer decision making using cumulative prospect theory is of increasing importance. We present a systematic review on European farmers' preferences under the cumulative prospect theory framework. We identified 17 studies covering 2324 farmers from 12 European countries. All studies report that (on average) farmers are: (i) risk averse, (ii) loss averse, and (iii) overweight small probabilities and underweight large probabilities. However, there is a large heterogeneity across and within studies. These findings have implications for the analysis and design of policy and insurance.

Study on simultaneous determination of OCPs, PCBs and PBDEs in fish sample: application for marine fish tissues collected from Hai Phong province

In this work, a GC-MS/MS-based analytical method using accelerated solvent extraction combined with multi-layer silica gel column for sample preparation was developed to simultaneously determine 20 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), 28 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 8 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in fish tissue. The method detection limits (MDLs) were achieved in the range of 0.053 ng/g (&amp;alpha;-chlordane) &amp;ndash; 1.65 ng/g (&amp;delta;-BHC), 0.07 ng/g (PCB-209) &amp;ndash; 1.84 ng/g (PCB-28), 0.323 ng/g (BDE-209) &amp;ndash; 0.796 ng/g (BDE-47) for OCPs, PCBs and PBDEs, respectively. Intra-day and inter-day repeatability of the analytical signal (peak area) were below 10.5% and 12.4%, correspondingly. The overall recovery was investigated by spiking experiments and ranged from 70.9 to 114%. The confirmation of this developed method was assessed by analysis of the standard reference material (SRM-1947) sample. The measured concentrations of target compounds were within the range of the certified values. This developed method was applied for analysis of OCPs, PCBs and PBDEs in five fish tissues collected randomly from local markets at Hai Phong province. Their concentrations (&amp;lt;MDL &amp;ndash; 206 ng/g for OCPs, &amp;lt;MDL &amp;ndash; 20.7 ng/g for PCBs and &amp;lt;MDL &amp;ndash; 66.7 ng/g for PBDEs) were lower than the maximum residue levels permitted by European Union, Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization.

A three-stage approach for co-designing diversified cropping systems with farmers: the case study of lentil-wheat intercropping

There is an increasing need for more sustainable and diversified cropping systems while guaranteeing adequate crop yields and economic viability for European farms. The intercropping of lentil with wheat can be a valuable agroecological practice for stabilizing crop yields and improving weed control; however, this requires better knowledge about the technical viability, suitable varieties, sowing density, management practices for different conditions, and the feasibility of these solutions for farmers. In this paper, we present a three-stage participatory approach aimed at involving farmers in the evaluation and design of knowledge-intensive agroecological cropping systems and applied it to the case of wheat-lentil intercropping. The proposed approach is articulated into three connected stages involving experiments at different scales (plot, field and farm) and with different grades of interactions among farmers and researchers regarding the design of experiments and the evaluation of the results. In the first stage, we set up controlled plot experiments at an experimental station allowing all interested farmers to observe and comment on the various treatments that were investigated during dedicated events. This stage tested the potential of intercropping to improve the sustainability of the local farming system and provide a solid scientific background to the ecosystem services provided by wheat-lentil intercropping, such as crop production, yield stability, and weed control. While being agronomically beneficial, the technical feasibility and economic benefits of wheat-lentil intercropping have still to be proven. Therefore, based on the results obtained from the first stage and the feedback of local farmers on the opportunities and weaknesses of the on-station application of wheat-lentil intercropping, a second experiment was carried out using commercial agriculture machines with the objective to test the technical viability of intercropping at a larger scale. In the final third stage, we set up a co-designed on-farm experiment aimed at supporting a farmer in establishing lentil-wheat intercropping adapted to the farm conditions. This approach demonstrated that gradually involving farmers in the experimental process, starting from evaluating the most promising agroecological solutions on station to implementing them on farms, supports a successful agroecological transition of farms towards more diversified cropping systems.

Tradycja i innowacyjność w ochronie środowiska przyrodniczego regionów górskich

Aim of the study: Pastoral management in Europe is an important element in protecting biodiversity and the landscape. Shepherding stimulates the development of the market of traditional and regional products, handicrafts and services. Pastoral farming in Europe is an important element of biodiversity and landscape protection. Shepherding stimulates the development of the market for traditional, regional products, handicrafts and services. For many years, wool was an important product obtained in mountain areas from local sheep breeds, now treated as a waste product. The aim of the study is to describe farming methods in mountain areas, indicating innovative possibilities of using sheep wool. Material and methods: The material consisted of literature studies and own research on management in mountain areas. Own research and literature analyzes have shown that, due to its properties, wool obtained from mountain sheep can be used as a natural fiber in a biodegradable composite and constitute an alternative to plastic packaging. The introduction of natural fibers in the fertilizer composite can improve not only soil fertility but also bring economic effects, such as the use of wool of Polish mountain sheep as part of the circular economy. Results and conclusions: Summarize, the search for alternative directions for the use of sheep wool is of strategic importance for maintaining and even increasing the sheep population in Poland and in other European Union countries. Occurring soil droughts in the summer period affect the reduction of plant yields, and for this reason, the application of biodegradable biocomposite to the soil will not have a negative impact on the environment of mountain pastures and meadows.

An experimental dataset on yields of pulses across Europe

Future European agriculture should achieve high productivity while limiting its impact on the environment. Legume-supported crop rotations could contribute to these goals, as they request less nitrogen (N) fertilizer inputs, show high resource use efficiency and support biodiversity. However, legumes grown for their grain (pulses) are not widely cultivated in Europe. To further expand their cultivation, it remains crucial to better understand how different cropping and environmental features affect pulses production in Europe. To address this gap, we collected the grain yields of the most cultivated legumes across European countries, from both published scientific papers and unpublished experiments of the European projects LegValue and Legato. Data were integrated into an open-source, easily updatable dataset, including 5229 yield observations for five major pulses: chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). These data were collected in 177 field experiments across 21 countries, from 37° N (southern Italy) to 63° N (Finland) of latitude, and from ca. 8° W (western Spain) to 47° E (Turkey), between 1980 and 2020. Our dataset can be used to quantify the effects of the soil, climate, and agronomic factors affecting pulses yields in Europe and could contribute to identifying the most suitable cropping areas in Europe to grow pulses.

The impact of drought on northern European pre-industrial agriculture

Drought has been hypothesized to be the main agrometeorological threat facing farmers in Scania (southern Sweden) before the 20th century. However, drought is a little-studied phenomenon in Scandinavian historiography. This article attempts to establish a chronology of extreme agricultural droughts, as well as their impacts on crop harvests and grain prices across Scania during the years 1614–1914, using a combination of statistical methods. Drought years significantly reduced crop harvests in nearly all analyzed samples. However, winter crops appeared more resilient when considering the years following a drought, as these crops experienced a large and significant rebound effect. Spring and fodder crops suffered losses in drought years and did not exhibit any clear rebound in subsequent years. For some spring crops, like barley, harvest losses showed signs of persistence into the years following a drought. There were significant increases in grain prices during drought years. Farms more specialized in grain production suffered similar losses as more diversified farms but were able to recover losses to a greater extent in the year following a drought, thus appearing to have been less vulnerable to droughts than more diversified farms, especially if they were able to capitalize on the grain price hikes that occurred during most drought years. Even though droughts remain one of the most prominent threats to agriculture in the region, the vulnerability to drought in winter rye and winter wheat appears to have been reduced throughout Scania in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson: A new threat to agriculture in Europe and the Mediterranean region

AbstractAmaranthus palmeri S. Watson is a dioecious broad‐leaved species characterised by rapid growth, high seed production, efficient resource use and adaptability to diverse environments and cropping systems. A. palmeri populations are spreading beyond their native range in south western United States, into the Mediterranean region and have been reported in several European and Mediterranean countries. First stands were located along roadsides, and later in nearby agricultural fields. Possible routes of introduction include contaminated animal feed and grain shipments for industrial processing. Some European A. palmeri populations appear to be already resistant to 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase and acetolactate synthase inhibitors when imported. Recent studies suggest that this trait may have evolved in the origin country before the introduction into southern Europe and the wider Mediterranean region. Effective, transboundary networks have to be established between farmers and researchers to raise agricultural community awareness and continuously monitor the invasiveness of A. palmeri in Europe. In this review, we first highlight botanical characteristics that allow accurate identification of A. palmeri from closely related Amaranthus species. Then, we summarise recent reports on the occurrence of A. palmeri in Europe and the Mediterranean region. We proceed to assess future invasion and spread across Europe according to climate and agricultural practices. In addition, we review measures to early detect A. palmeri and emphasised on feasible, chemical and non‐chemical weed control methods as components of integrated weed management to mitigate the impact of A. palmeri invasion on European agriculture.

How farmers perceive perennial weeds in Northern France and Eastern Germany

European farmers are required to follow the transition towards sustainable agriculture and food systems. Perennial weed management without chemical herbicides and inversion tillage is challenging farmers. Questions arise to cope with these spreading weeds. Our study focuses on farmers’ perceptions and experiences of perennial weeds and their control in Northern France and Eastern Germany. A survey was developed to explore the situation regarding present concerns and future problems for perennial weed control. The survey conducted from winter 2020/21 to spring 2021 targeted conventional, conservation and organic farms. We found a high level of awareness for perennial weeds. On average, 80.0% of Northern French farmers and 65.9% of Eastern German farmers revealed present concerns about perennial weeds. Both, Northern French and Eastern German farmers perceived perennial weeds are more damaging to crop production than other pests. In both regions, the farmers considered Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. as the most important perennial weed. While the majority of the Eastern German farmers observed field infestations of Elymus repens (L.) Gould, Northern French farmers more often reported Sonchus arvensis L. infestations. More than 50% of the farmers stated Rumex spp. infestations in Northern France and Eastern Germany. Interestingly, Eastern German farmers are more concerned about future perennial weed problems than Northern French farmers. The reasons for farmer’s future concerns are probably connected to the farming system. In both regions, conservation and conventional farmers heavily rely on herbicides for perennial weed control, however, more farms used the active ingredient glyphosate in Eastern Germany. Nonetheless, perennial weed control is a major concern for organic farmers in both regions. We conclude that optimizing and integrating non-chemical alternatives is promising in all farming systems. Research activities are required to provide farmers and extension services with novel and profitable perennial weed management practices.

How can GIS support the evaluation and design of biodiverse agroecosystems and landscapes? Applying the Main Agroecological Structure to European agroecosystems

Agrobiodiversity plays a critical role in fostering the stability, resilience, and sustainability of European farming systems. Nonetheless, there is currently a lack of comprehensive methods to describe its spatial distribution within farms, its connectivity with the surrounding landscape, and, most crucially, how the perceptions and actions of human communities affect it. The Main Agroecological Structure (MAS) has recently been proposed as an environmental index aiming to tackle such challenges by promoting a dialogue between landscape ecology and agroecology, encompassing criteria that focus on both landscape parameters and cultural variables. Geographic information systems (GIS) can play a key role in the measurement of the index by leveraging public geodata and engaging with the direct participation of communities to map the territories they inhabit and cultivate. Nevertheless, their use in this context has not yet been studied. We propose here a new GIS-based approach for estimating the Main Agroecological Structure: landscape criteria are assessed through the hybrid use of free and open-source GIS tools, field samplings, and participative mapping methods; cultural parameters are evaluated through semi-structured interviews. Contextually to the definition of such methodological foundations, the present study tests the relevance of the index to European agroecological contexts by applying the proposed workflow to three Italian farms characterized by different territorial and organizational forms. Along with a few modifications to the original proposal, we highlight the relevance of GIS in making agrobiodiversity visible at a landscape level within the context of the index. We also suggest some potential future applications related to local empowerment and agroecosystem mapping.

Biopesticides as alternatives to reduce the use of copper in Spanish and Portuguese viticulture: Main trends in adoption

The traditional use of copper as a fungicide in vineyards has raised concerns among authorities as it increases environmental pollution. As a result, new regulations have been enacted to reduce the use of plant protection products while encouraging the use of biological pesticides, which are less harmful to the environment. In this study, we surveyed two of the most relevant countries in terms of vine cultivation: Spain and Portugal. The objective of this study was to analyse the factors influencing the use of copper-based fungicides and their biological alternatives to provide a framework for state-of-the-art downy mildew control. This has led to some forward-thinking on the applicability of EU objectives. A probabilistic LogiT model was used to observe the field and exploitation variables that influenced winegrowers’ use of biopesticides. Given its great reliance on copper, it can be concluded that copper is still a necessary product for viticulture. Moreover, because the use of synthetic products is prohibited in organic vineyards, more copper treatments are carried out. Although the intention to use biopesticides exists, this did not result in actual use. The most influential factor in the probability of biopesticide use is knowledge of the legislation; however, it is also important to have watercourses near the field and to have the necessary technology. These results are relevant for formulating recommendations to ensure that all information reaches small farmers, as this would be key to more sustainable agriculture in Europe.

Seroprevalence of emerging hepatitis E virus in patients with acute hepatitis between 2004 and 2018 in Csongrád county, Hungary.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has recently become endemic in Europe, however, it is often a remnant neglected by clinicians as the causative agent of acute and chronic hepatitis and is often misdiagnosed as a drug-induced liver injury. The infection rate in European pig farms is estimated to be around 15-20%, therefore, the primary source of HEV infections might be poorly prepared pork meat. As HEV infections may occur more often in clinical practice than previously thought, the present paper aims to analyse the seroprevalence of HEV in patients with acute hepatitis over a period of 14 years in Csongrád County, Hungary. The sera of 4,270 hepatitis patients collected between 2004-2018 were tested for cumulative anti-HEV IgG/IgM. Furthermore, 170 IgM positive sera were tested for the presence of viral RNA by RT-qPCR. Between 2012-2018, the cumulative seroprevalence has increased 9.18 times, and between 2013-2018, IgM prevalence has increased 12.49 times. Viral RNA was detectable in 12.35% of IgM positive sera. The present paper presents data showing that the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus has increased markedly over the course of the last decade in Hungary and in other European countries as well. The exact reason behind this phenomenon is yet to be determined. To assess the dynamics and the reason for this increase in prevalence, pan-European, multicentre studies should be conducted.

Alternative Ecological Products for Aphid Control on Plum.

Ecological farming is increasing worldwide, as more and more consumers prefer chemical-free fruits. As a result, ecological farming is becoming increasingly appealing to European farmers, including those in Romania. However, implementing an effective ecological phytosanitary program remains a challenge for farmers due to limited options and a lack of information about their effectiveness. Romania is a major producer of plums and ranks second in the world after China. Aphids are common pests of plum, and some species are vectors of the damaging Plum pox virus, and therefore require special attention regarding their control. Eight ecological products were tested both in the field and laboratory for a duration of three vegetative periods to determine their efficiency in aphid control. The effects of ecological products were compared with five chemical insecticides known to be effective against aphids. Observations were made 24 and 48 h after spraying. Two of the eight ecological products tested were proven to be efficient in aphid control, Ovipron Top and Prev-Am, with a mortality rate over 90%. The results indicate that these two ecological products are comparable in effectiveness to chemical insecticides and could be suitable candidates for both ecological and conventional treatment programs.

Convergence Processes in the European Agriculture: Analysis of the Total Factor of Productivity

The article explored labour productivity in agriculture and carried out a comparative analysis of the achieved level of labour productivity in the countries of the European Union. The efficiency of agricultural production needs to be measured to improve the productivity, competitiveness, and profitability of farms. The multifactorial total factor productivity (MFP) of agricultural production evaluates the main and additional sources of economic growth in the agricultural sector. Based on the analysis of beta convergence, we observe an increase in total factor productivity (TFP) in Slovakia and the countries of the European Union. Based on the obtained statistically significant regression analysis models, beta convergence and sigma divergence of the TFP of the agricultural sector in the EU and Slovakia were identified. Thus, the process of positive convergence was confirmed, which indicates the convergence of the economic development of Slovakia with highly developed countries and the reduction of disparities between countries. State support and investment in innovative technologies will stimulate the adoption of new technologies and at the same time ensure technological progress and improve the impact of agriculture on the environment. We also concluded that it is important to improve the skills of those working in the agricultural sector, and as a result, an increase in TFP is expected.

The CAP (Common Agricultural Policy): A Short History of Crises and Major Transformations of European Agriculture

The purpose of this article is to study the development of EU agricultural policies from a historical reconstruction perspective. The 1957 Treaty of Rome, the basis of today’s European Union, gave birth to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in order to coordinate production across different European countries, to ensure food self-sufficiency and the certainty of supply to member states. Over time, several choices, as well as certain subsidies and policies (e.g. milk quotas) have been called into question as part of the liberalisation of the common agricultural market. Others persist, but continue to favour the unequal management of funds in favour of large companies specialised in intensive agriculture and livestock farming. These choices represent a loss in terms of both biodiversity and traditional farming knowledge and know-how. The decisive changes of the CAP at the institutional level have transformed the socio-economic as well as geographical landscape of Europe. It should be added that with the current crises—the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the ecological crises—the entire model is being called into question. Consequently, this article, after providing a brief overview, aims to reconstruct the common agricultural policies. It then provides an explanatory framework in quantitative terms of the French and Italian agricultural sectors to highlight what are, in the authors’ opinion, the limits of the CAP, even in the face of the crises mentioned above.

Resetting Archaeological Interpretations of Precontact Indigenous Agriculture: Maize Isotopic Evidence from Three Ancestral Mohawk Iroquoian Villages

AbstractArchaeologists working in eastern North America typically refer to precontact and early postcontact Native American maize-based agriculture as shifting or swidden. Based on a comparison with European agriculture, it is generally posited that the lack of plows, draft animals, and animal manure fertilization resulted in the rapid depletion of soil nitrogen. This required Indigenous farmers to move their fields frequently. In Northern Iroquoia, depletion of soil fertility is frequently cited as one reason why villages were moved to new locations every 20 to 40 years. Recent analysis of δ15N ratios of maize macrobotanical remains from Northern Iroquoia, however, suggests that Iroquoian farmers were able to maintain soil nitrogen in their maize fields. An expanded analysis of maize kernel δ15N ratios from three ancestral Mohawk villages indicates that farmers from those villages maintained soil nitrogen throughout the occupational spans of their villages. It further suggests that precontact Iroquoian agronomy was consistent with contemporary conservation agriculture practices.

Synthesising the diversity of European agri-food networks: A meta-study of actors and power-laden interactions

Farmers are at the centre of scientific and political debates about sustainability in European agriculture, but rarely do we discuss the roles of other actors who shape their behaviour. Understanding the interactions and balance of power in agri-food systems is critical to effectively govern sustainability transitions. Here, we conduct a meta-study of 71 case studies in European agri-food systems to synthesise evidence on the diversity of actors and network configurations. We characterise the reported power-laden relationships to generate an agri-food network for each case study and then create a typology of archetypical network configurations. Our study provides three major insights. First, we find a diverse range of actors and complex network configurations. This indicates that the predominant focus on farmers in sustainability policy overlooks the other actors in their agri-food networks, thus risking suboptimal policy design and efficacy. Second, the typology identifies three groups of networks – agro-industrial control, multifunctional value chains, and civic food networks – associated with diverging levels of farmer autonomy. Agricultural governance should therefore consider the context-specific agency of farmers; policies that target farmer decision-making can only have impact if farmers have the capacity to change. Third, the typology demonstrates the potentially complementary roles of conventional and alternative value chains, as well as top-down state support and bottom-up civil society mobilisation. Agri-food networks hence provide diverse leverage points for sustainability transformation.

Farmers Feel the Climate Change: Variety Choice as an Adaptation Strategy of European Potato Farmers

Effects associated with a changing climate could severely threaten potato production in Europe. Hence, farmers need to take up adaptation measures to safeguard agricultural production. Collecting data from 553 farmers from 22 different European countries, our survey evaluates European potato farmers’ perceptions regarding the influence of climate change on local potato production, and their willingness to implement adaptation strategies. An overwhelming majority of survey respondents had already experienced the effects of climatic changes on their potato production. Specifically, drought and heat were identified as the most significant threats. The planting of an adapted variety was the preferred adaptation strategy, while farmers were also willing to take up changes in agricultural management practices. Survey respondents predominantly considered yield stability as the most important characteristic of an adapted variety, closely followed by heat tolerance, disease resistance, drought tolerance, and yield potential. When choosing a variety, the personal experience of the survey respondents as well as the experience of their peers were identified as the most important sources of information. Our survey gives valuable insights into the challenges European potato farmers are facing in times of climate change. Supplying farmers with better-adapted varieties would be a well-targeted and well-accepted measure to advance climate change adaptation.

Unraveling the European Agricultural Policy Sustainable Development Trajectory

Amidst growing concerns about the impact of agriculture on the environment, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been overhauled to prioritize sustainable rural development in European agriculture. Based on this line of thought, the present contribution delves into the details of the CAP’s shift, focusing on the main environmental concerns faced in the policy-making framework. Grounded in a political science perspective, the current study looks at how environmental and climate change concerns were gradually elevated inside the CAP’s policy-making framework and how they helped create the “green architecture” for European agriculture. Examining the process of policy change under the lens of historical institutionalism and neo-institutionalism within the multilevel governance framework of the European Union (EU), the key role played by the gradual introduction of measures aimed at promoting measurable environmental criteria and climatic targets is highlighted. For instance, measures aimed at preserving carbon-rich soils and enhancing water resources can have positive impacts on the environment. However, these measures were also recognized to increase the cost of production for the European farmers, who faced serious difficulties in adjusting to the new framework. Within this context, this research delves into the roles played by two additional fundamental entities: the consumer and environmental activism. Additionally, the study underscores the EU’s commitment to addressing climate change and sustainable development challenges and how conditionality is being used to link funding to results. Upon analyzing the CAP’s shift, the reflection of a more flexible and rational approach is argued to be embodied by the new policy architecture. By incorporating both CAP pillars, encouraging collaboration with compatible policies, and allowing for greater adaptability in response to the unique circumstances and objectives of each member state, the CAP is taking significant steps towards sustainability and climate action. These insights into the significance and implications of the CAP’s shift towards sustainability offer valuable recommendations for future policy developments, emphasizing the need to balance environmental concerns with the needs of farmers and other stakeholders.