Intense protests from farmers and far-right groups over the past year have led to the dilution or removal of key EU green initiatives for agriculture.

Looking ahead, the EU plans to develop a new vision for farm and food systems, emphasizing urgent and feasible changes, including a shift towards more plant-based diets and improved education.

Key provisions of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) require farmers to maintain grassland and protect wetlands, although exemptions exist for farms smaller than 10 hectares.

In 2021, the EU introduced new green rules linked to the CAP, but many of these regulations have been weakened or eliminated in the past year.

The Farm to Fork project aimed to halve pesticide use by 2030, but its proposals were retracted, and a significant nature restoration law was diluted, allowing for voluntary compliance from farmers.

Discussions among stakeholders have yet to reach a consensus on requiring farmers to pay for pollution under the EU's emissions trading scheme, which is set to expand to other sectors in 2027 but will exclude agriculture.

According to the European Environment Agency, over 80% of European habitats are in poor condition, and only 27% of assessed species have a good conservation status.

The health of European soil is concerning, with 60-75% containing excessive nitrogen and 80% showing pesticide residues, resulting in an annual cost of approximately €50 billion due to soil degradation.

Farmers in the EU are mandated to adhere to directives that protect water, wildlife, and habitats, which include limits on nitrogen fertilizer application and the establishment of designated protected areas.

The European Union faces an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases and pollutants from agriculture to achieve its environmental goals and effectively combat climate change.

Despite the EU's commitment to global biodiversity agreements and a target for net-zero emissions by 2050, agricultural emissions have seen minimal reductions compared to other sectors over the past two decades.