b"INSIDE THEMID-FEBRUARY,the EU Commission presented its Vision for Agriculture and Food, an ambitious roadmap on the future of farming and food in Europe. This roadmap sets the stage for an EUS RETHINKattractive, competitive, resilient, future-oriented and fair agri-food system for current and future generations of farmers and agri-food operators.OF FARMINGThis vision was proposed as a priority initiative for the first 100 days of this Commissions mandate. It aims to secure the long-term competitiveness and sustain-ability of the EU's farming and food sector. Based on the latest AND FOOD Eurobarometer results, EU citizens overwhelmingly agree that securing a stable food supply in the EU at all times is essential.Our farmers take center stage in the EUs food production system. It is thanks to their daily, hard work that all of us have Europe just dropped a bold new visionsafe and high-quality food, European Commission President for its ag sector. Heres whats coming. von der Leyen said. Yet, our farmers face the growing chal-lenges of global competition and climate change.By Marcel BruinsFour Priority Areas An Attractive Sector: Farming must have the necessary stability and support to encourage young people to enter the profession. The Commission is committed to ensuring that farmers are not forced to systematically sell their products below produc-tion costs, and will take concrete action to that end, including through the review of the Unfair Trading Practices Directive. The Commission will also present a Generational Renewal Strategy in 2025, with recommendations on measures needed both at the EU and national/regional level to address the barri-ers to young and new people entering the profession. A Competitive and Resilient Sector: The EU will con-tinue to prioritize food security and sovereignty in various ways, fully using trade negotiations and agreements, while protecting European farmers interests. The Vision also responds to the requests for a stronger alignment of production standards for imported products. The Commission will assess the impact of greater standards coherence for hazardous pesticides banned in the EU and on animal welfare. The rigorous enforcement and controls of food safety standards remains non-negotiable.A Future-proof Sector: Europes agricultural sector plays an important role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The Vision recognizes the need to reconcile climate action with food security and the specific challenges faced by the sector.Farmers should be rewarded for adopting nature-friendly practices. The Commission will also develop a voluntary benchmark-ing system, the on-farm sustainability compass, to help farmers 28 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA JULY 2025"