A dialogue on the future of land use, justice, and the Common Agricultural Policy
Join JESC and ELSiA for an event to discuss European Agriculture Policies, Climate and Social Justice at the European Parliament, with policymakers, civil society organisations and farmers.
When? 22 June at 16:00 CEST.
Where? At the European Parliament.
How to participate? Register at this link for in-person participation until 12 June.
Can’t join us in-person? Then register here to follow this event online.
European agriculture is facing a defining structural transition. The sector must simultaneously deliver food security for European and global populations, drive climate mitigation and adaptation, restore biodiversity and ecosystems, and sustain viable rural livelihoods and landscapes across the continent. These objectives are deeply interconnected and, at times, in tension.
A landmark 2025 study commissioned by the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference, “Food Security, Climate Protection and Biodiversity: Ethical Perspectives for Global Land Use”, argues that these challenges demand a systemic response: one that integrates ecological limits, social justice, and global responsibility rather than treating each issue in isolation.
Against the backdrop of ongoing post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform debates, this event brings together ethical, political, economic, and practical perspectives to explore how the EU can build a fair, resilient, and sustainable food system.
Why This Event Matters
The CAP reform process highlights the political difficulty of balancing environmental ambition, income stability for farmers, budgetary constraints, and global competitiveness. This event provides a rare opportunity to bridge the gap between normative frameworks, EU policy design, and on-the-ground farming realities.
Event Objectives
This event aims to:
- Present the core findings of the 2025 German Bishops’ study on land use and global food systems, and assess their relevance for current and future CAP reform debates.
- Compare normative, policy, and practical perspectives on agricultural transition, identifying points of convergence and tension between ethics, policy feasibility, and farming realities.
- Foster meaningful dialogue among key stakeholders — including MEPs, EU officials, farmers’ associations, and environmental NGOs — on integrated approaches to food system transformation.
Programme
| Time | Session |
| 16:00 | Welcome remarks — Filipe Martins, Director, JESC & Board Member, ELSiA |
| 16:05 | Opening remarks — MEP Manuela Ripa (EPP, Germany) |
| 16:10 | Study presentation: “Food Security, Climate Protection and Biodiversity: Ethical Perspectives for Global Land Use” — Dr Stefan Eisiedel, Zentrum für Globale Fragen / Scientific Secretary to the Expert Panel |
| 16:25 | Stakeholder contributions: |
| • Young farmers’ perspective — Representative, ECVC – European Coordination Via Campesina (tbc) | |
| • Political implementation — MEP Peter Liese (EPP, Germany) (tbc) | |
| • Environmental approach — Théo Paquet, EEB – European Environmental Bureau | |
| 16:55 | Dialogue amongst speakers |
| 17:10 | Q&A with participants |
| 17:30 | Closing remarks & networking coffee |
Further details will be shared with registered participants closer to the date. Thank you for your interest.
Contacts:
Filipe Martins SJ, Director of JESC, filipe.martins(at)jesc.eu
Giorgio Gotra, ELSiA Coordinator, coordinator(at)elsialliance.org
