On March 19th, CONSOLE project partners held a conference call to replace the Third Project Meeting originally planned in Brussels and which failed due to restrictions caused by COVID-19.

Contents of the meeting

The third project meeting (Month 11) elaborated lessons learned from partial development of task 1.2 and accomplishment of task 2.2 and 2.3, and launch activities in task 1.3, WP3 and WP4; to feed the meeting and the related decisions.

Objectives

The meeting had the following objectives:

• Discuss the results of case studies and fact sheets.
• Discuss the lessons learned from Task 1.1, Task 2.2 and Task 2.3
• Plan future activities in Task 1.2, 1.3, WP3 and WP4
• Plan contingency for activities that could not be carried out in private stakeholder workshops expected to be attached to the third meeting

After the welcome of the project leader, Davide Viaggi, the virtual meeting began with the presentation of each Work Package (WP); in which where showed the progress, activities performed, and next steps in each WP. In addition, a properly planned on a meticulous schedule was proposed.

In order to overcome the failed workshops with stakeholders, we will develop virtual meetings in few weeks. Follow us so you’ll never miss an update.

The purpose of this Blog post is to publicize the role and objectives of the European Commissioner of Agriculture, the Polish, Janusz Wojciechowski.

Janusz Wojciechowski was born 6th December 1954 in Rawa Mazowiecka, a town in central Poland.

He was a member of the European Parliament for a long time, in which representing the Polish People’s Party (PSL) (2004–2006), the Polish People’s Party “Piast” (PSL “Piast”) (2006–2010) and lately, Law and Justice (since 2010).

The mission of the European Commissioner of Agriculture is to ensure a modern and sustainable European agricultural sector that adapts to Climate Change or other adversities. In addition to providing affordable food for citizens and a fair standard of living for farmers.

Janusz Wojciechowski is part of the Group of Commissioners on the Green Europe Agreement to help farmers play their role in the transition to a climate neutral society by 2050.

To achieve the goals, a number of conditions have been developed obligations for all farmers in the European Union (EU), with a greater focus on voluntary environmental schemes.

 

What are the Commissioner’s responsibilities?

The Commissioner’s responsibilities include:

• Support a swift conclusion of the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) negotiations with a primary focus on food security, climate and biodiversity.
• Work with Member States on strategic plans, adjusting the objectives of the EU as a whole with own national realities.
• Develop a long-term vision for rural areas, supporting family and medium farms.
• Support young farmers and guarantee a fair income.
• Contribute to the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategic for sustainable, healthy and high-quality food.

Develop an action plan for organic farming in the EU.

• Avoid intensive agriculture and reduce the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and chemicals as part of a zero-pollution ambition.
• Explore ways to strengthen the geographical indications system.
• Improvement of animal welfare standards.
• Carry out an impact evaluation of trade agreements in agriculture.

In short, the European Commissioner of Agriculture objectives are clear, betting on sustainable agriculture, according to the realities of each member country of the European Union.

Janusz Wojciechowski points out in an interview on the European portal EURACTIV.com, European society will require large doses of “resilience” and the need to be more sustainable in order to face the current climate crisis in the future.

Bio-Based and Applied Economics, is an international scientific journal published by the IAEAA (Associazione Italiana di Economia Agraria ed Applicata).

PhD Daniele Moro (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore), PhD Fabio Gaetano Santeramo (Università degli Studi di Foggia) and PhD Davide Viaggi (Università di Bologna) analyze their evolution and their valuable contribution both to society and to the scientific field.

But this editorial also inform us how it has been adapted to the needs, such as an improvement in the speed of the process that goes from the presentation of the researches to their publication.

It can download the editorial or visit to the Bio-Based and Applied Economics website by clicking on the following buttons:

Date	29 Jan 2020 (10:30 to 12:45)	Section	Agriculture & Food
Address	European Parliament   BRUSSELS	Event Location	Brussels
Links	More Information

On the 29th of January, IoF2020 & SmartAgriHubs will organise a high-level event in the European Parliament in Brussels, hosted by ECR Group. The event will highlight project achievements and contributions to EU agriculture, as well as look to the wider world of new agricultural techniques and their future. The meeting will convey important speakers from the agri-food sector alongside representatives from the EU institutions.

From the European Parliament side, MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen (Agri committee), MEP Petros Kokkalis (Envi committee) and MEP Norbert Lins (Agri committee Chair) will chair the different sessions on EU agri-food challenges, data use in smart farming technologies and the long-term vision for agriculture in the new CAP perspective.

CEMA is glad to announce Dr Ivo Hostens, CEMA Technical Director, will participate as speaker session II: Role of data management and how to enhance the adoption of smart farming technologies. 

Agenda

OPENING SPEECH: European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Janusz Wojciechowski

10.00-10.45h Session I: EU Agriculture and food challenges: the role of digitalization

Joel Bacquet – EU Commission DG Connect,

Kerstin Burseg – EIT Food, Innovation Programme Manager

Edwin Hecker – Schuttelaar & Partners, IoF2020 & SmartAgriHubs ecosystem building leader

Eduardo Cuoco – IFOAM-EU, Director

10.50 – 11.35h Session II: Role of data management and how to enhance the adoption of smart farming technologies

Grigoris Chatzikostas – Biosense Institute, WP leader for IoF2020 and SmartAgriHubs project

Ivo Hostens – CEMA, Technical Director

Daniel Azevedo – COPA-COGECA, Director Agri-Tech

11.40 – 12.35h Session III: Long term vision for the EU agriculture, CAP reform and the place for smart farming: how will it benefit the EU citizens?

Doris Marquardt – EU commission DG Agri, IoF2020 &SmartAgriHubs Project Officer

Jannes Maes – CEJA, President

George Beers – WUR, IoF2020 & SmartAgriHubs Project Coordinator