European Economic and Social Committee Calls for Shift to Regenerative Agriculture

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has officially called on the European Union to scale up regenerative agriculture across its member states. In a landmark opinion adopted during its June 2025 plenary session, the committee highlighted the urgent need to rebuild soil health and restore biodiversity. This move marks the first time an EU institution has formally launched a comprehensive discussion on the benefits of regenerative farming practices. The committee argues that these methods are essential to protect food production from the increasing threat of extreme weather events linked to climate change. By focusing on soil vitality, the EESC believes the EU can create a more resilient agricultural sector. The report warns that current EU policies do not go far enough to promote these sustainable forms of agriculture. Despite the clear potential for regenerative practices to improve farmer incomes and enhance crop yields, the committee notes a lack of sufficient support. The EESC emphasizes that regenerative agriculture should serve as a primary anchor for future EU green, farming, and economic policies. This recommendation comes as part of a broader effort to align agricultural output with environmental sustainability goals. The committee suggests that shifting toward these practices will help ensure long-term food security for the region. This initiative follows the 2024 Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, which brought together 29 major stakeholders to discuss the sector's path forward. That dialogue aimed to create a shared vision for European farming that balances productivity with environmental stewardship. The EESC's latest opinion builds on these discussions by providing a specific framework for policy reform. It highlights the importance of rewarding farmers for their role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. By incentivizing these practices, the committee hopes to support both small-scale and large-scale agricultural operations. The proposal also addresses the need for generational renewal within the farming community. By making agriculture more sustainable and profitable, the EESC believes the sector can attract younger workers. This is seen as a critical step in maintaining the vitality of rural areas across Europe. The committee's call for action is expected to influence upcoming debates on the Common Agricultural Policy. As the EU continues to refine its food systems, the focus on regenerative methods is likely to remain a central topic of discussion. Policymakers are now tasked with evaluating how to integrate these recommendations into existing legislative frameworks.