Agriculture can contribute to solving major problems such as climate change and the reduction of green house gas emissions, according to a European Parliament hearing. A report by Stéphane Le Foll MEP states that agriculture “has considerable potential to play an active, positive role in global warming mitigation efforts as part of a strong common agricultural policy geared to sustainable and economically viable development. It is also capable of adapting to the effects of the changes taking place, with the help of farmers’ know-how, vocational training, the farm advisory system and research and innovation developments.”

The Le Foll report summarises the main impacts of climate change on EU agriculture, examines adaptation needs, describes the implications for the CAP and explores possible orientations for future action. It aims at further engaging Member States and the farming community into a debate and action on adaptation needs that result from climate pressures. The document stresses that climate change will require farmers to adapt while they are also called to reduce farm-level greenhouse emissions, and to improve agriculture's environmental performance.

Developing a progressively evolving and comprehensive response to climate change is needed to maintain the resilience and competitiveness of EU agriculture so that it can continue to play its role as supplier of high quality food and environmental and landscape services, as well as contribute to the sustainable development of EU rural areas. Climate change also brings an additional perspective to the challenge of food security.

Whilst it is non-binding, the aim of the draft Le Foll report is to encourage both the Commission and Council to explore these issues fully.

The report concludes that adaptation is a long-term process which needs to evolve over the coming decades according to the climatic trends and by building on a growing body of knowledge and practical experience. In this process, it is important to further engage the farming community in the discussion on adaptation needs and in sharing good practices.

In the context of the review of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2013 the need to ensure favourable conditions for the adaptation of agriculture and rural areas will need to be examined. Effective adaptation and adoption of new technologies, which contribute both to mitigation and the long term viability of farming, will require investments and planning efforts beyond the capacity of individual farms. Public authorities will have a role to play in supporting and facilitating climate change adaptation policies.

The Le Foll report will be voted in the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on 17 March and will be then voted by Parliament on 19 April.