GLOBE EU Conference

“Cultivating Change: Empowering the Future of Sustainable Agriculture and Building Resilient Food Systems”

European Parliament, ASP 5F385, November 20, 2025, 10h30-12h30

 

Program:

10h30 – 10h45: Welcome and Opening Remarks – Manuela Ripa, MEP

Introduction to the day’s agenda and objectives.

10h45 – 11h30 : Panel Discussion 1: “ Empowering Future Farmers: Innovations and Skills for the Next Generation”

Moderator: Manuela Ripa MEP

  1. Panelists: Maria Gafo Gomez-Zamalloa (DG-AGRI), Nona McElwee (Unilever), Marion Picot (European Council of Young Farmers), Gerben van der Lugt (Grodan)

Discussion Points:

  • Generation renewal strategy: needs and challenges of the new generation of farmers
  • Skills and access to innovation for farmers
  • Monitoring, Measurement, Reporting and Validation framework: how to ensure a harmonized and feasible approach
  • How to incentivize and reward sustainable practices at farm level

11h30  – 12h15 : Panel Discussion 2: “Strengthening Financial Viability and Ensuring Fair Trade in the Agri-Food Sector”

Moderator: Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy MEP

Panelists: Bart Vandewaetere (Nestlé), Casper Holl (Rabobank), Chuck de Liedekerke (Soil Capital), Simon Krämer (European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture)

Discussion Points:

  • Creating a framework including public and private incentives and subsidies promoting sustainable farming practices.
  • Policy frameworks supporting farmers’ economic resilience.
  • Address unfair market practices in the agri-food chain to protect farmer revenue and the resilience of the food system

12h15  – 12h30 : Closing Remarks – Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy MEP