(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 17 - Five days into its new term, the European Commission has launched the European Committee for Agriculture and Food to follow up on one of the recommendations from the final report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture.
    According to an official statement, the committee will be chaired by the new Agriculture Commissioner, Christophe Hansen, and will act as a bridge between agri-food supply chain stakeholders, civil society, and Brussels.
    The committee will also provide "advice" to the European Commission in preparing the future Vision for Agriculture and Food, which will be presented within the first 100 days of the mandate by Vice-President for Cohesion, Raffaele Fitto.
    "Agriculture is at the heart of Europe's future. Today, we are carrying forward the momentum of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture to build trust and bring people together," said President Ursula von der Leyen. "The European Committee for Agri-Food will address the full complexity of the agri-food value chain, supporting our farmers and promoting a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable agri-food system." The Committee has been established for five years and is expected to meet between two and six times a year. However, Hansen will have the authority to call additional meetings when urgent advice is required.
    On December 5, the European Commission formally opened applications for those interested in participating. The Committee will consist of up to 30 organizations representing three categories of stakeholders: the farming community, other actors in the food supply chain, and civil society, including fields such as environment and climate, animal welfare, and consumer issues.
    The deadline for submitting applications is January 8, 2025. The Commission will evaluate all submissions and intends to finalize the Committee's composition at the beginning of 2025, with the first meeting expected to take place shortly thereafter.
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