On the 24th of June, the event ‘Grown in the EU’ demonstrated a growing interest in agricultural diversification. The discussion brought together farmers, policymakers and experts from across the EU to exchange views on how diversification can strengthen farm resilience and create new opportunities for European farmers.

Most importantly, we heard directly from farmers who have already embarked on the diversification journey, sharing first-hand experiences, challenges an lessons learned from across Europe.

The discussion highlighted the barriers and challenges farmers face, while also sending encouraging political signals from the European Commission and the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026. Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen emphasised the importance of diversity in making the agricultural sector more resilient and indicated that upcoming initiatives, including the next CAP, the CMO revision and the EU Protein Strategy, will support this objective. Paul Savage, representing the upcoming Irish Presidency, likewise stressed the importance of diversification and recognised its potential to attract a new generation of farmers. He also confirmed that diversification will be among the Irish Presidency’s key priorities for the CAP negotiations.

The event also marked the launch of the new ‘Growing Resilience’ report on agricultural diversification, which is now available. Based on interviews with 33 farmers from 18 EU countries, the report provides valuable insights into the opportunities, challenges and support needs associated with diversification across Europe.

The event was co-hosted by MEPs Paulo do Nascimento Cabral (EPP), Barry Cowen MEP (Renew Europe), Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA), Camilla Laureti (S&D) and Per Clausen (The Left), and co-organised by the Coalition for an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods.