NAT section newsletter

October 2026 ■ NAT section ■ Our ongoing & future opinions

EDITORIAL BY STOYAN TCHOUKANOV

Farming in a world of limits: Europe must make the solutions visible

The EU Organic Awards highlight farmers and food actors already transforming Europe’s food system by working with nature, restoring ecosystems and delivering wider social benefits. At a time of climate, biodiversity and pollution crises, recognising these champions means making solutions visible and showing that they already work in practice. Our recent EESC plenary debate on social farming reinforced this message, underlining that farms can also provide jobs, inclusion, care and education while helping strengthen rural communities under pressure.Read the editorial

ADOPTED OPINIONS JULY & SEPTEMBER 2026

NAT/993 - Sustainable Livestock Strategy 2026

NAT/989 - Wildfire Risk Management

NAT/982 - Rural proofing

NAT/983 - Social Farming

NAT/984 - Enlargement and EU Climate Policy

MEET OUR MEMBERS

Meet our members | Luís Mira: farmers at the heart of integrated wildfire prevention

In this interview, EESC NAT member Luís Mira argues that wildfire policy must shift from reacting to disasters to investing in prevention, land management and preparedness. He highlights farmers, livestock keepers and forest owners as key partners in reducing risk, especially through active land use and grazing while also calling for stronger EU coordination, better use of data and science, and dedicated long-term funding that supports national, regional and local efforts. Read more

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

EU Organic Awards 2026 | Meet the winners!

The EESC has welcomed the winners of the 2026 edition of the EU Organic Awards, celebrating three outstanding businesses that are helping make organic food more accessible, innovative and sustainable across Europe. Now in their fifth edition, the awards showcase people, businesses and territories demonstrating how organic production can contribute to more sustainable and resilient European food systems. Read more & watch the videos

OUR FEATURED NEWS & EVENTS

EESC news | EU enlargement must be built into Europe’s climate strategy

As the EU prepares for a potentially larger Union, the EESC calls for climate policy and accession to be planned together. In its recent opinion, the EESC argues that early alignment with EU climate, energy and industrial policies could reduce future compliance costs, give businesses and investors greater certainty and help candidate countries modernise their economies. It also calls on the European Commission to clarify how EU climate targets and emissions baselines would be calculated in an enlarged Union as clear rules will be essential for long-term investment decisions and to ensure that climate ambition goes hand in hand with industrial competitiveness. Read more

EESC news | EESC calls for backing for farms that create jobs, enable workers to reach their potential and revive rural areas

In its recently adopted opinion, the EESC calls for social farming to be recognised as an agricultural innovation and backed through long-term funding, simpler rules and quality standards. Social farming strengthens rural areas, supports health and social needs, and creates employment. The winners of the 2026 EU Organic Awards offer a tangible example of the social farming model promoted by the EESC with farms that create jobs, enable workers to reach their potential and help rural communities thrive. Read more

EESC news | Rural Europe must count in every EU policy

The EESC has adopted an opinion calling for an EU-wide rural proofing tool so all major policies are assessed for their impact on rural communities from the outset. It urges mandatory screening, deeper territorial assessments where needed, and use of rural proofing in the next EU budget and Partnership Plans. The opinion stresses meaningful stakeholder involvement, better data, and a stronger focus on services, jobs and the “Right to Stay” in rural areas. Read more

EESC public hearing | EUs agri-food strategic resilience

On 7 October, the EESC will host a public debate on strengthening the resilience of the EU’s agri-food systems. The discussion will explore how to reduce vulnerabilities and strategic dependencies, improve crisis preparedness and build on existing solutions. It will also inform upcoming EESC work for the Lithuanian Presidency on safeguarding supply chains, securing critical inputs, maintaining farm and food business viability, supporting short supply chains, and promoting risk management, innovation and knowledge transfer.

EESC public debate | The right to Food

On 8 October, the EESC’s NAT Section will host a debate on the right to food during its monthly meeting. The discussion will examine the meaning of the right to food, barriers and opportunities for more sustainable EU food systems, and how this principle can be reflected in future EU policies. It will also explore ways to improve access to healthy food for all, with contributions from the Commission, FAO, social partners and civil society.Read more

EESC news | The EESC at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) - COP17

The EESC will take part in CBD COP17 in Yerevan from 19 to 30 October 2026, a key meeting focused on reviewing implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. As part of the EU delegation, the EESC will promote stronger civil society and youth involvement, better links between biodiversity and climate processes, the phasing out of harmful subsidies, and greater accountability, inclusive governance and policy coherence in delivering the 2030 biodiversity targets. Read more

EESC news | Calling for a stronger European strategy to prevent wildfires

In a recent opinion, the EESC urges the EU to make wildfire prevention the core of its policy response as fires grow more frequent and destructive across Europe. It calls for a dedicated EU prevention fund, separate from the CAP, a common European wildfire strategy, stronger cross-border cooperation, better training, and greater use of innovation. The Committee also stresses active land management and support for rural activities to reduce risk and protect communities, biodiversity and climate goals.Read more

EESC news | Europe's livestock strategy is a good starting point

The EESC welcomes the Commission’s agriculture and livestock strategy, but says stronger action is needed to keep Europe’s livestock sector competitive, sustainable and resilient. In its recent opinion, it calls for a dedicated EU Livestock Fund, a stronger CAP, mandatory origin labelling, targeted research and support for higher welfare standards. The Committee argues livestock farmers are central to food security, rural vitality, climate goals and Europe’s strategic autonomy. Read more

ALSO ON THE AGENDA

UN Environment Programme | Report: Limiting Overshoot - Navigating exceedance of 1.5°C and pathways towards return

A recent report by UNEP examines the implications of entering an era of 1.5°C overshoot and the choices that remain available. It highlights that higher peak warming and longer overshoot bring greater risks for people and nature, making today’s choices crucial. The report’s key message is that rapid mitigation and adaptation must advance together and that overshoot is not an argument for resignation, but rather for urgency to action.Read more

Europe Environment Agency | Report: Clean energy technologies in the EU

This report assesses the employment implications of Europe's climate transition – in particular, the impact of clean energy technologies like wind energy, photovoltaics, heat pumps and batteries. It analyses trends in employment, workforce composition, skills shortages and job quality, and explores how policy can support a competitive clean-tech sector while promoting quality employment and inclusive labour market outcomes across the European Union. Read more

Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) | Policy Brief | Resilient Bioeconomy in the Context of Polycrisis

This policy brief highlights how the bioeconomy helps Europe respond to increasingly interconnected challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, geopolitical instability, and market volatility. It identifies key research and innovation priorities to strengthen resilience through improved governance, real-time monitoring and early-warning systems, and more diversified and adaptive value chains. Its recommendations aim to support European sustainability, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy in an increasingly uncertain global environment. Read more

EU Food Loss and Waste Prevention Hub | Call for proposal to support stakeholders in implementing food waste prevention actions in 2026-2027

The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) has launched a €4 million call for proposals to support food waste prevention actions in 2026–2027, helping EU countries meet the 2030 reduction targets. Eligible projects should advance prevention, reprocessing and valorisation of food side streams and surpluses, support consumer-focused solutions, strengthen cross-sector collaboration across the food supply chain, and enhance redistribution, storage and reprocessing capacities of food banks and similar organisations. Read more

European Court of Auditors (ECA) | Report: Producer organisations in the fruit and vegetables sector - Fertile ground for competitiveness if carefully tended

This ECA report investigates whether the EU's financial support to producer organisations (POs) improves producers’ competitiveness and made POs attractive. It finds that while EU support improves competitiveness, neither the Member States nor the Commission do enough to promote joining POs. It recommends that the Commission facilitate the comparison of Member States’ policy implementation, work with Member States to promote POs, and simplify the applicable financial rules. Read more

FAO | Report: Status of the world's soil resources 2026

The second edition of the Report on the Status of the World’s Soil Resources updates the landmark 2015 global assessment, reviewing scientific evidence on soil condition, trends and threats over the past decade. Prepared by the ITPS with FAO and the Global Soil Partnership, it aims to improve understanding of soil degradation and support countries in promoting sustainable soil management. Read more

European Commission | Become a Pact Ambassador

Ready to take action on climate change? Applications to become a European Climate Pact Ambassador are open from 1 to 31 October and are reviewed on a rolling basis, so applying early is encouraged. Ambassadors inspire and support climate action in their communities and networks. You’ll join a Europe-wide community, share ideas and solutions, access useful tools and resources, and gain recognition for your work. Read more

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