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The agri-food ecosystem encompassing various actors from farmers to retailers, contributing €602.9 billion to the EU economy and creating 16 million jobs. Its significance extends beyond economics, influencing social and cultural dynamics. Climate change affects crop yields, demographic trends impact workforce availability, and rising costs threaten food security and affordability. The European Commission, with stakeholder collaboration, has developed a Transition Pathway to steer the agri-food ecosystem towards sustainability, focusing on competitiveness, investments, research, skills, infrastructure, governance, and international cooperation.
- Skills Development: A skills partnership under the EU Pact for Skills initiative aims to bridge skill gaps in the sector, promoting careers in agriculture and food production.
- Regulatory Support: Leveraging policies like the Common Agricultural and Common Fisheries Policies and strategies such as Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies ensures a supportive regulatory environment for sustainable transformation.
- Promoting Sustainability: Initiatives like the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices promote sustainable practices across the food industry.
- Support for SMEs: Platforms like the European Cluster Collaboration and European Enterprise Network aid small businesses in enhancing productivity and sustainability.
