The status quo is not an option-Proposal for a future-oriented agricultural policy architecture [Der Status quo ist keine Option-Vorschlag für eine zukunftsfähige Architektur der Agrarpolitik]

Abstract

The environmental impacts of agriculture give cause for concern in many areas. This paper proposes a new architecture for a sustainability-oriented agricultural policy that aims to secure public goods, conserve nature and protect the environment while at the same time fostering the transition of the agricultural sector in the face of new challenges and maintaining competitiveness in open markets and global value chains. The proposed policy architecture consists of seven elements: EU-wide premiums for basic environmental and climate protection measures; semi-automated premiums for landscape diversity; continuation of the voluntary farm-level agri-environment-climate measures; a 'nature and agriculture cooperation programme' for integrated landscape and resource management at the regional level; an innovation initiative for sustainability-based value-added markets and consumer competence; enhanced regulatory minimum standards and their enforcement; and accompanying investments in infrastructure, environmental technology, research and knowledge transfer. The new architecture could be introduced gradually by 2027. © 2018 W. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart.