AGROMIX launched its white paper “Transforming European Food Systems with Agroforestry” (PDF link) in Brussels on Thursday 24 October 2024.

The document outlined five key co-designed policy recommendations for the EU to maximise the implementation of agroforestry as part of its objective to secure more a sustainable, resilient, and equitable food system that meets the needs of present and future generations.

Five key policy recommendations:

1. The classification of agroforestry land should be consistent across the EU, using a common set of criteria underpinned by the available databases.
2. Transformative agroforestry should be firmly embedded within a radically reformed CAP and mainstreamed across all relevant EU policies, providing investment along all stages of the agroforestry value chain.
3. Robust, long-term financial rewards must be available for the planning, implementation and maintenance of diverse agroforestry systems, as well as for the ecosystem services they provide.
4. Tree products and services from agroforestry systems should be firmly embedded within numerous value chains inside and outside of Europe with appropriate and accessible processing facilities that add value for farmers.
5. Farmers, landowners and relevant decision-makers should be made familiar with ‘transformative agroforestry’ practices. This can be achieved with initiatives to support training and advisory services.

The recommendations outlined in this white paper build on existing EU regulatory frameworks, notably the CAP, which already provide avenues for the support and promotion of agroforestry practices.

The EU should implement regulations and allocate public funding to promote the widespread adoption of ‘transformative agroforestry.’  The goal is to ensure that by 2040, more than 20% of the utilised agricultural area is managed using this approach.

The White Paper is endorsed by CIFOR-ICRAF (World Agroforestry), MIXED, EARA (European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture), Agroecology Coalition, TP Organics & Agroecology Europe. If you would like to add your name to the list of endorsers, please get in touch!!

Full details, evidence and references are available in the text of the White Paper online at: https://agromixproject.eu/policy-corner/ .