Regions call for stronger local role in EU agriculture, bioeconomy and health policies

During a meeting of the commission for natural resources (NAT) of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 1 June, local and regional representatives adopted draft opinions focusing on the future of the common market organisation in agricultural products, on the development of a competitive and sustainable EU bioeconomy, and on implementation of the EU Safe Hearts Plan.

The common market organisation (CMO) in agricultural products

The CMO plays a key role in strengthening farmers’ position in the supply chain, simplifying producers’ procedures, stabilising markets, improving sustainability and encouraging innovation. However, NAT members stressed that these objectives require adequate EU funding and the full involvement of local and regional authorities. They are concerned that the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 and the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPS) could reduce Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) resources and give Member States excessive discretion, risking a renationalisation of the CMO. They therefore called for 100% EU funding for CMO sectoral interventions to be maintained. 

NAT members also called for stronger involvement of regions and cities in implementing, monitoring and evaluating the EU school schemes, as well as in developing awareness-raising and food education activities.

The draft opinion, led by rapporteur Alessio Mammi (IT/PES), Minister for Agriculture of the Emilia-Romagna region, will be adopted when the CoR meets in plenary in October. 

A competitive and sustainable EU bioeconomy 

Members of the NAT commission welcomed the European Commission’s strategic framework for a competitive and sustainable EU bioeconomy, highlighting its key role in boosting Europe’s competitiveness, strategic autonomy and green transition. 

In a draft opinion, they stressed the crucial role of local and regional authorities in implementing the bioeconomy through place-based approaches, and called for stronger support for innovation, industrial scale-up and regional bio-based value chains. The draft opinion also advocates for stronger public-procurement incentives, targeted investment, and measures to accelerate market uptake by making bio-based products more competitive and profitable for businesses, while remaining affordable and attractive for consumers. Finally, the report highlights the importance of enhanced international cooperation, including on research and innovation, to strengthen the position the EU as a global leader in the sustainable bioeconomy.

The draft opinion, led by Karl Vanlouwe (BE/EA), member of the Flemish Parliament, will be adopted during the CoR’s plenary in October. 

The Safe Hearts Plan 

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for every third death in the EU, and they plague over 60 million people. This human toll is further exacerbated by significant economic costs, amounting to 282 billion euros annually.

For NAT members, the EU Safe Hearts Planis a step in the right direction, but the role of local and regional authorities is absent from the Commission's communication. From physical activity to smoke cessation, alcohol curbing or healthy food in school canteens, public authorities have a wide range of policy tools that make a difference to cardiovascular health. Members highlighted these key determinants and discussed how urban planning, air quality, transportation and accessibility of healthcare systems affect our hearts' well-being and how access, prevention, detection and treatment cannot depend on a postcode lottery. NAT representatives also called for better data and more political commitment to reduce territorial and social health inequalities, through targeted investment in digital and traditional healthcare services and better use of EU funding to support regional action, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

The draft opinion, led by Carmine Pacente (IT/Renew Europe), city councillor of Milan, will be adopted at the CoR’s plenary in October.

Also during the meeting

Luca Zaia (IT/ECR), President of the Veneto Regional Council, was elected 1st Vice-chair of the NAT commission. 

Members held a first exchange on the future of the rice sector in Europe (rapporteur Alberto Cirio, IT/EPP, President of the Piedmont region) and on wildfire risk management (rapporteur Dimitrios Kafantaris, EL/EPP, Municipal Councillor of Pulou). 

Ruth María Merino Peña (ES/EPP) presented the initiative to create a ’Mediterranean Centre for Climate Intelligence and Resilience’, with the participation of Valencian Regional Vice-Minister for Recovery, Raúl Mérida.

Quotes 

Alessio Mammi (IT/PES), Minister for Agriculture of the Emilia-Romagna region: “Policies that work should be strengthened, not weakened. The CMO has proven to be one of Europe's most effective tools for protecting both producers and communities: from strengthening farmers' position in the supply chain and stabilising markets, to nurturing healthy future generations through the EU school scheme. That is why we are calling for 100% EU financing to be re-established. Cuts to resources and mandatory national co-financing risk creating unequal support and unfair competition for the farmers who feed Europe — and that is a risk we simply cannot afford to take.”

Karl Vanlouwe (BE/EA), member of the Flemish Parliament: “A strong European bioeconomy is not only essential for sustainability, but also for our competitiveness and strategic autonomy. To truly succeed, bio-based products must become competitive, profitable for businesses, and affordable for consumers.”

Carmine Pacente (IT/Renew), city councillor of Milan: “This opinion is really significant because of the importance of the topic, the first European Safe Hearts Plan. The core of our proposal is some recommended policies that – if correctly implemented at local level – can reduce a lot all the risk factors.”

Background

• Photos and videofrom the meeting.
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