European Commission: Joint Research Centre, Antonioli, F., Isbasoiu, A., Ciaian, P., Tur Cardona, J. et al., Challenges and opportunities in data collection for sustainable farming – Lessons from EU certification schemes, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

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This report analyses the farm-level data collection practices of selected public and private sustainability-related certification schemes, with the aim of providing insights into synergies and gaps for the upcoming Farm Sustainability Data Network, which will collect data on environmental and social issues. The analysis is based on online surveys, semi-semi-structured interviews and desk research carried out between June and October 2023. Out of 188 common agricultural policy (CAP) interventions associated with certification schemes within the CAP strategic plans of the Member States, 25 relevant certification schemes were pre-selected for consideration in this report.

European Commission: Joint Research Centre, Hristov, J., Tassinari, G., Himics, M., Beber, C. et al., Closing the EU protein gap – Drivers, synergies and trade-offs, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

The policy and public debate on the EU protein sector requires a comprehensive approach that includes EU plant protein production and supply, while simultaneously addressing the broader challenges and opportunities of protein demand in the food and feed sectors. Taking a food systems perspective, this report assesses synergies and trade-offs between four hypothetical scenarios. These scenarios are considered both individually and in combination, and describe possible futures for EU protein supply and demand: (i) providing specific support for protein crop production; (ii) changing livestock feed practices; (iii) restructuring the livestock herd; and (iv) transitioning towards more plant-based diets.

European Parliament: Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union, Majerczyk, M. and Nannucci, L., Commitments made by Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, European Commission, 2025.

As part of the Confirmation hearings process, Commissioner-designate Christophe Hansen responded in writing to questions posed by Parliament and appeared before the AGRI committee on 4 November 2024 to answer further questions from MEPs belonging to the committee, as well as from the Chairs of the ENVI and PECH invited committees.

European Court of Auditors, Common agricultural policy plans – Greener, but not matching the EU’s ambitions for the climate and the environment. Special report 20, 2024, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

The common agricultural policy (CAP) is a key European Union policy area, making up 31 % of the EU budget. The new CAP for the period 2023-2027 aims for increased environmental and climate ambition. It builds on Plans defined by each member state. We conclude that the Plans are greener than in the previous CAP, but do not match the EU’s ambitions for the climate and the environment, and that key elements for assessing green performance are missing. Based on our findings, we recommend that the Commission promote exchanges of “green” good practice in the Plans, estimate the CAP’s contribution to the Green Deal targets and strengthen the future CAP monitoring framework for the climate and the environment. ECA special report pursuant to Article 287(4), second subparagraph, TFEU.

Katalin Tóth, Szvetlana Ács, Karin Aschberger, Giulia Barbero Vignola, Stephanie Bopp, et al., European Commission, Joint Research Centre, 2025.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) the European Commission service providing evidence-based science and knowledge to support EU policies has set up its first monitoring framework to provide information on progress towards a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system, built on a set of environmental, economic and social (including health) indicators. More than 350 indicators on underpinning policies were screened and their suitability assessed for the intended objective. The selected indicators have been visualised in a monitoring dashboard, an information system and a communication tool created by the JRC. This report summarises the main steps taken to develop the system, the principles governing the selection of the indicators and plans for further work.

Council of the European Union, General Secretariat, 2025.

The first part of this paper introduces the concept of digital ‘revolution’ in agriculture, offering a snapshot of the current state of a slow-burning process and the EU’s place within. The second part scans the key drivers of digitalisation and looks at the potential benefits of digital solutions. It is organised around three primary and deeply interlinked challenges: efficiency, environmental sustainability and socio-economic resilience. The third part focuses on the risks of the process and the issues to address to maximise the benefits. By identifying possible pitfalls, this part aims at encouraging further policy reflexion on how to mitigate them, thereby enhancing broader uptake and better use of digital technologies.

European Commission: Eurostat, Key figures on the European food chain – 2024 edition, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

Key figures on the European food chain provides a selection of indicators on the food chain, from primary production in agriculture and fisheries through to consumption. Data are presented for the European Union (EU), EU countries and European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) countries. For some readers, this publication may offer an introduction to agriculture, fisheries and food chain statistics, while others can use it as a starting point to explore further a wide range of data and information. These are freely available on Eurostat’s website and in Statistics Explained.

European Commission: Joint Research Centre, Guerrero, I., Bielza, M., Angileri, V., Assouline, M. et al., Quantifying the impact of sustainable farming practices on environment and climate – Greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration and nutrient loss data from meta-analysis, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in meeting global food demands and maintaining socio-economic stability. However, some agricultural practices may negatively contribute to environmental concerns such as greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient losses, and biodiversity decline, impacting climate change, water quality and quantity, and ecosystem functioning. In response, the European Commission (EC) fosters the integration of environmental sustainability within agricultural policy frameworks, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In this context, identifying sustainable farming practices is crucial for achieving the EU's sustainability objectives, in particular to assess the environmental and climate performance of the agricultural sector. To support this, we present in this report a comprehensive collection of coefficients quantifying the environmental impacts of farming practices.

European Environment Agency, Solutions for restoring Europe’s agricultural ecosystems, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

This briefing presents evidence-based examples of key options to help restore Europe’s agro-ecosystems and ecosystem services and enhance agricultural resilience and productivity. It is published in the context of the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) and the recently-adopted Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR).

European Commission: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, Strengthening EU agricultural knowledge and innovation systems – Report on the fifth mandate of the strategic working group on agricultural knowledge and innovation systems of the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (2019–2022), Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

The main mission of the Strategic Working Group on Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems of the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SWG SCAR AKIS) is to build a knowledge and innovation network across the EU, focusing specifically on speeding and scaling up the impact of research and innovation (R & I), with experts, advisors and researchers working hand in hand with farmers, foresters and other rural actors. More specifically, the objectives of the SWG SCAR AKIS are as follows: (1) improve the functioning of knowledge and innovation systems in agriculture, forestry, bioeconomy and the rural areas; (2) use the predictions of foresight studies to tackle challenges by stimulating appropriate R & I activities, knowledge generation and knowledge exchange; and (3) cover all agri-food and biomass value chains, from producer to consumer, in a systemic approach.

European Commission: Joint Research Centre, Sanye Mengual, E., Fiorese, G., Fronza, V., Guerrieri, V. et al., Towards sustainable food systems – An analysis of EU policy measures setting environmental sustainability requirements, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

The current challenges affecting the EU food system call for an urgent shift towards more sustainability. As set out by the Commission Farm to Fork Strategy, the path to achieve such an ambitious goal should promote policy coherence at EU and national level, mainstream sustainability in food-related policies and strengthen the resilience of food systems. In this report, we focus on provisions setting requirements to improve the sustainability of food products. This report was carried out to better understand the environmental impacts of such provisions and their evolution over time, as well as their coverage in terms of actors and environmental impacts of the EU food system.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Raffaeli, V., Roscoe, J., Pacheco, I., Vilcu, R. et al., Working group report – Food and health – Green Deal Projects Support Office – January 2025, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025.

This working group report from the Green Deal Projects Support Office offers a detailed overview of groundbreaking initiatives in food systems and health. From sustainable agriculture and reducing food waste to addressing health challenges through innovative solutions, the report highlights the collective efforts of projects tackling these critical areas. Key achievements include collaborative research, knowledge-sharing platforms, and policy contributions that support resilient food systems and healthier communities. Read the report to discover how these projects are driving progress toward a sustainable future.