The Congress Opening Session will formally launch the 2026 Congress of European Farmers by bringing together European institutional and farming leaders to set the political and strategic context for the discussions ahead. The session will focus on the future of European agriculture, competitiveness, resilience and food security, while highlighting the role of farmers and agricultural cooperatives in shaping the sector’s long-term development.
download programmeEU Affairs and Communications Manager, ICOS; Chair of the Cooperative Coordination Committee of Cogeca
Damien O’Reilly of ICOS will moderate the Congress Opening session, welcome participants and introduce the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food for his speech. He will set the context for the exchange between the European Commisioner and the leaders of the farming community.
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European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food – European Commission
Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, will deliver the welcome address and provide the European Commission’s perspective on the future of agriculture and food in the European Union. His intervention will address the need to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of European farming, while supporting viable farm incomes, investment, innovation and a Common Agricultural Policy capable of responding to the evolving needs of farmers and rural areas.
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Copa President
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food – European Commission
Cogeca President
This opening panel will bring together Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food; Lennart Nilsson, President of Cogeca; and Massimiliano Giansanti, President of Copa, for a high-level exchange on the future direction of European agriculture. Christophe Hansen will contribute the European Commission’s perspective on agricultural policy, competitiveness, resilience, investment and the future of the CAP. Lennart Nilsson will represent the cooperative perspective, drawing attention to the role of farmer-owned cooperatives in strengthening market position, investment capacity, value creation and resilience across the agri-food chain. Massimiliano Giansanti will bring the wider farmers’ perspective, focusing on the economic viability of farming, competitiveness, food security and the policy conditions needed for farmers to continue investing and producing. Together, the panellists will examine how EU policy and the organised farming and cooperative sectors can work together to ensure that European agriculture remains economically viable, competitive and resilient. Lennart Nilsson is currently President of Cogeca for the 2024–2026 term.
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Workshop 1 will examine the sustained cost and availability pressures affecting European farmers, particularly in relation to fertilisers, crop protection products, feed and labour. Bringing together farmers, agricultural organisations and technical experts, the session will focus on practical solutions capable of improving farm viability, competitiveness and resilience while reflecting the economic realities experienced across the sector.
download programmePermanent Representative at Confagri and Secretary General of Fenalac
Isabel van Zeller Basto will open the workshop, introduce the key cost and availability pressures facing EU farmers and set out the structure of the discussions on agricultural inputs, crop protection and labour challenges.
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President of LAPAR
Matei Titianu, President of LAPAR, will provide the keynote perspective from the farming sector, outlining how rising production costs, input availability and changing market and regulatory conditions are affecting farm profitability and competitiveness on the ground.
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Manager of CFBM Agricultura
Advisor on Manure and Air Policy at Boerenbond
Scientific Director ARVALIS
Moderated by Isabel van Zeller Basto, this panel will examine practical ways to address the cost, availability and regulatory challenges surrounding fertilisers and crop protection products in European farming. Caroline Van der Heyden, Environment Policy Advisor at Boerenbond, will contribute an agricultural and environmental policy perspective, considering how regulatory requirements can be reconciled with farmers’ need for effective and accessible production tools. Afonso Bulhão Martins, farmer and representative of CAP, will bring the direct perspective of agricultural producers, highlighting the impact of rising input costs and limited alternatives on day-to-day farm management and investment decisions. Stéphane Jézéquel, Scientific Director at ARVALIS, will provide scientific and technical expertise on crop production, fertilisation and crop protection, including the potential of innovation and improved practices to optimise input use. Together, the panel will explore how policy, practical farming experience and applied research can contribute to affordable, effective and sustainable solutions that maintain agricultural productivity and competitiveness.
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Head of Labour Market Policy, Green Employers
Head of Learning & Development, ICOS
Moderated by Isabel van Zeller Basto, this panel will examine the structural labour challenges affecting European farming, including workforce shortages, difficulties in attracting and retaining employees, skills gaps and the need to adapt training to changing agricultural technologies and working practices. Emma Terander, Head of Labor Market Policy at Green Employers, will contribute a labour-market and employer perspective, addressing recruitment, employment conditions and the structural factors affecting workforce availability in agriculture and other green sectors. Billy Goodburn, Head of Learning & Development at ICOS, will focus on skills, training and professional development, considering how agricultural organisations and cooperatives can strengthen workforce capabilities and prepare employees and farmers for evolving technical and managerial requirements. Together, the panellists will explore practical measures to improve recruitment, retention, training and skills development, helping the farming sector build a more capable, adaptable and resilient workforce.
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Vice President Copa
Francie Gorman, Copa Vice-President, will conclude Workshop 1 by drawing together the main messages from the discussions on agricultural inputs and labour, highlighting practical priorities for reducing cost pressures and strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of EU farmers.
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The lunch break will take place at the hotel, where participants will be offered a selection of meal options. It will provide an opportunity to relax between sessions, continue informal discussions and network with fellow participants in a more informal setting.
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Workshop 2 will examine how artificial intelligence can support greater productivity, resource efficiency and resilience across European agriculture and forestry. Bringing together representatives from agricultural organisations, cooperatives, technology-oriented companies and the European Commission, the session will explore practical AI applications, barriers to adoption, data access and ownership, digital infrastructure, investment needs and the policy conditions required to ensure that innovation remains farmer-centred and supports sound business decision-making.
download programmeSenior Advisor, MTK
Max Schulman, Senior Advisor at MTK, will open the workshop, introduce the main opportunities and challenges surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture and forestry, and set the framework for the discussion on practical applications, data governance, investment and farmer control over digital technologies.
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Head of Data Governance at the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission
Pierluigi Londero, Head of Unit for Data Governance (AGRI.A.4) at DG AGRI, European Commission, will provide the keynote perspective on the role of data in the digital transformation of European agriculture. His intervention will address the policy framework for agricultural data governance, including access, sharing, control and ownership, and the conditions required for farmers and cooperatives to benefit from AI while retaining confidence and control over their data and business decisions.
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Head of Data Governance at the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of the Lantmännen Group
Member of the Board of Directors and Head of Brussels Office, GAIA EPICHEIREIN
Moderated by Max Schulman, this panel will examine how artificial intelligence and digital technologies can move from potential to practical value for European farmers, forest owners and cooperatives. The discussion will consider how new technologies can improve decision-making, productivity, resource efficiency and risk management, while also addressing the investment costs, infrastructure gaps, skills requirements and data-governance concerns that can limit adoption. Jan Pröbsting-Adelowo, Managing Director of Raiffeisen-NetWorld GmbH, will contribute the perspective of a digital services provider working within the cooperative sector, focusing on the practical development and deployment of digital solutions for agricultural organisations and their members. Vasileios Pyrgiotis, Member of the Board of Directors and Head of Brussels Office, GAIA EPICHEIREIN, will bring extensive experience in digital agriculture and the implementation of technology-based services for farmers, including the role of digital platforms, data and advisory tools in modernising agricultural production. Per Arfvidsson, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Lantmännen Group, will provide the perspective of a major agricultural cooperative and technology-driven business, examining how innovation, AI and digitalisation can be integrated into large-scale agricultural and food operations while delivering value to farmer-members. Pierluigi Londero, Head of Unit for Data Governance at DG AGRI, will contribute the European Commission’s policy perspective on agricultural data, digital governance and the regulatory conditions needed to build trust and enable responsible AI adoption. Together, the panellists will explore how technology, cooperative structures, business innovation and public policy can work together to ensure that AI supports a competitive, sustainable and farmer-centred agricultural and forestry sector.
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Vice-President of Cogeca
Leonardo Pofferi, Cogeca Vice-President, will conclude Workshop 2 by drawing together the main messages from the discussion and reflecting on what farmers and agricultural cooperatives need in order to benefit from AI and digitalisation. His concluding remarks will highlight the importance of practical value, accessible technology, appropriate skills, trustworthy data governance and farmer control in ensuring that digital innovation strengthens rather than complicates agricultural businesses.
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The coffee break will provide participants with a short opportunity to refresh, network and continue informal exchanges before the next session of the programme.
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Workshop 3 will examine how improved access to land, finance and investment can strengthen the position of women farmers and contribute to generational renewal in European agriculture. Bringing together representatives from farming organisations, academia, the European Commission and the financial sector, the session will explore barriers linked to collateral, farm size and risk perception, as well as practical financial and policy solutions that can enable women to invest, innovate, modernise their farms and contribute more fully to farm succession and new entry into the sector.
download programmeChairwoman of the Women’s Committee at Copa-Cogeca
Francesca Gironi, Chairwoman of the Women’s Committee at Copa-Cogeca, will open Workshop 3 by introducing the central theme of investing in women farmers and its importance for the future of European agriculture. Her remarks will highlight the links between access to land, finance and investment, and the role of women in farm succession, new entry into the sector and generational renewal.
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Associate Professor & Head of Rural Development, SLU
Katarina Pettersson, Researcher and Head of Division at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Urban and Rural Development, will set the scene for the discussion by outlining the structural challenges facing women in agriculture and placing access to land, finance and generational renewal within the wider context of rural development and gender equality.
Photo credit: Anni Hoffren, SLU
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Head of Thematics & Advisory at the European Investment Fund (EIF)
Silvia Manca, Head of Thematics and Advisory at the European Investment Fund, will provide the keynote perspective on how financial instruments and tailored investment solutions can improve access to finance for women farmers. Her intervention will consider how financial barriers, risk perceptions and collateral requirements can be addressed to support investment, innovation, farm modernisation and generational renewal.
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First Vice Chair of the Copa-Cogeca Women’s Committee
Head of the Social Sustainability Unit in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development
Head of Thematics & Advisory at the European Investment Fund (EIF)
Agri-Banking Strategist, Piraeus Bank
Moderated by Katarina Pettersson, this panel will examine how access to land, finance and targeted investment can strengthen the economic position of women farmers and enable them to play a greater role in generational renewal. The discussion will bring together farming, policy and financial perspectives to identify both the structural barriers women encounter and practical measures capable of improving access to opportunities. Viktoria Oslund, 1st Vice-Chair of the Women’s Committee at Copa-Cogeca and Board Member of LRF, will provide the perspective of women farmers and agricultural organisations, highlighting practical challenges surrounding access to land, farm development, investment and participation in decision-making. Maria Gafo Gomez-Zamolla, Head of Unit B3 for Social Sustainability and Equality Coordinator at DG AGRI, will present the European Commission’s policy perspective, addressing how the Common Agricultural Policy, social sustainability objectives and equality considerations can support women and younger generations in agriculture. Nikos Dedousis, Manager and Agri Strategist in the Agricultural Banking Division of Piraeus Bank, will contribute the banking perspective, examining how agricultural finance, credit assessment and tailored financial products can better respond to the investment needs and business realities of women farmers. Silvia Manca, Head of Thematics and Advisory at the European Investment Fund, will bring the European investment perspective, considering how guarantees, financial instruments and risk-sharing mechanisms can help overcome barriers to accessing capital. Together, the panellists will explore how agricultural policy, banking, European financial instruments and farmer representation can work together to improve access to land and finance, support viable farm businesses and strengthen the contribution of women to succession, new entry and the long-term sustainability of European agriculture.
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The Q&A will give participants the opportunity to engage directly with the panellists, raise practical questions and explore in greater depth the barriers and solutions discussed in relation to land access, agricultural finance, investment, equality and generational renewal.
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Associate Professor & Head of Rural Development, SLU
Katarina Pettersson will summarise the principal conclusions emerging from the panel and Q&A, drawing together the farming, policy and financial perspectives and identifying the main conditions required to improve opportunities for women farmers and strengthen their contribution to generational renewal.
Photo credit: Anni Hoffren, SLU
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Chairwoman of the Women’s Committee at Copa-Cogeca
Francesca Gironi, Chairwoman of the Women’s Committee at Copa-Cogeca, will close Workshop 3 by reflecting on the principal messages emerging from the discussion and highlighting the need to translate commitments on gender equality and generational renewal into practical opportunities for women farmers. Her concluding remarks will emphasise the importance of access to land, appropriate financial support, investment and representation in enabling women to build viable farm businesses and contribute fully to the future of European agriculture.
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The Showcase Workshop will present European research and innovation projects in which Copa-Cogeca is involved, demonstrating how EU-funded initiatives can generate practical knowledge, digital tools and innovative solutions for farmers, forest owners, advisors and cooperatives. Through presentations on EU-FarmBook, BALANCE and EU4Advice, the session will examine how research results can be translated into accessible knowledge, stronger advisory systems and practical approaches supporting competitiveness, sustainability, biodiversity, resilient farm businesses and knowledge exchange across European agriculture.
download programmeDirector for Resilience, Innovation, and Social Affairs at Copa-Cogeca
Umberto di Pasquo, the Director for Resilience, Innovation, and Social Affairs at Copa-Cogeca, will introduce the strategic role of research and innovation in the future of European agriculture and the agri-food sector. His intervention will place the showcased projects within the wider EU research and innovation landscape and highlight the importance of ensuring that research responds to farmers’ practical needs, involves agricultural stakeholders in its development and translates innovation into solutions that can be effectively adopted on farms and within cooperatives.
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Policy Advisor, Commodities Team, Copa-Cogeca
Pedro Peña Tapia, Policy Advisor for the Commodities Team at Copa-Cogeca, will present EU-FarmBook, the Horizon Europe initiative developing a European digital platform for agricultural and forestry knowledge. The presentation will explain how the platform brings together practical outputs from EU-funded research and innovation projects and makes them more findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable for farmers, foresters, advisors and other Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) actors. Particular attention will be given to its multilingual and user-oriented approach, its role in overcoming fragmented knowledge, language and compatibility barriers, and its ambition to become a European reference point for practical agricultural and forestry knowledge. The presentation will also highlight how EU-FarmBook can help transform research results into accessible tools, guidance and information that practitioners can apply to everyday challenges.
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Research and Innovation EU Projects Coordination at Copa-Cogeca
Giuseppe Sirignano, Project Officer and Policy Advisor for Research and Innovation / EU Projects Coordination at Copa-Cogeca, will present BALANCE – Biodiversity And Landscape restoration through Agricultural systems for Nature Conservation and resilient farm Economies. The Horizon Europe project seeks to identify, test and promote nature-positive farming systems that combine effective biodiversity and ecosystem restoration with economically viable agricultural production. The presentation will examine how BALANCE integrates nature-restoration objectives with the realities of farm management, food security, competitiveness and long-term farm profitability rather than treating biodiversity measures in isolation. It will also introduce the project’s multi-actor approach and work across European case-study regions to explore practical farming systems, incentives, indicators and monitoring approaches. The session will highlight how BALANCE aims to generate realistic transformation pathways that allow nature restoration, resilient farm economies and productive agriculture to advance together.
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Policy Advisor for Plant Health at Copa Cogeca
Tamás Racskó, Policy Advisor for Plant Health at Copa Cogeca, will present EU4Advice, an EU-funded project working to strengthen advisory services and knowledge exchange for sustainable Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) across Europe. The presentation will explain how the project connects producers, advisors, researchers, policymakers and consumers and seeks to integrate stronger SFSC-related advisory services, tools and knowledge into national Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems. Particular attention will be given to the project’s four Living Labs in Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Hungary, where stakeholders co-create and test solutions in real-life settings. The presentation will highlight how this collaborative approach can develop field-tested advisory models, strengthen knowledge exchange and help short food supply chains improve their economic, social and environmental sustainability.
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The concluding segment will draw together the principal messages from the three project presentations and look ahead to their next stages of implementation, dissemination and stakeholder engagement. It will highlight opportunities for farmers, cooperatives, advisors and other agricultural actors to engage with the projects, access their outputs and contribute to the uptake of research and innovation in practice. The session will also reinforce the importance of connecting EU-funded research more closely with farmers’ needs and ensuring that useful results continue to circulate through agricultural networks beyond the lifetime of individual projects.
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Throughout the Congress, a dedicated Project Information Desk will complement the Showcase Workshop by providing a continuous space for participants to discover EU-FarmBook, BALANCE and EU4Advice in greater detail. Congress participants will be able to access project communication materials and outputs, ask questions and engage informally on project objectives, activities and results. The desk will support direct knowledge exchange and help connect European research and innovation initiatives with farmers, cooperatives, advisors and other stakeholders attending the Congress.
The Special Workshop will examine how digital labelling and electronic record-keeping can help reduce administrative complexity for European farmers while improving access to accurate information on the safe and effective use of plant protection products. Focusing on AgriGuide, developed by CropLife Europe, Copa and Cogeca and partner organisations, the session will explore how digital product labels, simplified application records and interoperability with farm management systems can support compliance with EU requirements. Particular attention will be given to farmer ownership and control of data, data security, interoperability and the potential for better-quality information to improve transparency, regulatory understanding and realistic assessments of plant protection product use.
download programmeIndependent Agricultural Digitalization Expert and Chairman, Friends of Digital Farming e.V.
Matthias Nachtmann, Independent Agricultural Digitalization Expert and Chairman of Friends of Digital Farming e.V., will open the workshop and introduce the practical and policy challenges surrounding the digitalisation of plant protection product information and electronic farm records. He will set the framework for the discussion on how digital tools can simplify farmers’ administrative obligations while remaining interoperable, secure and centred on farmers’ operational needs.
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Secretary General of Copa Cogeca
Elli Tsiforou, Secretary General of Copa-Cogeca, will provide the opening remarks from the perspective of European farmers and agricultural cooperatives. Her intervention will underline the need for digitalisation to deliver tangible simplification for farmers, reduce unnecessary administrative work and preserve farmers’ ownership and control of their data, while ensuring continued access to effective crop protection solutions and reliable regulatory information.
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Chair of the AgriGuide Project at CropLife Europe
Georgiana Hayes, Chair of the AgriGuide Project at CropLife Europe, will provide a practical demonstration of AgriGuide, showing how farmers can access current digital plant protection product labels and create straightforward digital application records. The demonstration will illustrate how the tool can support electronic record-keeping requirements, improve access to product information and integrate digital labelling into everyday farm operations while keeping farmers in control of their data.
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Head of Data Governance at the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission
Chair of the AgriGuide Project at CropLife Europe
Secretary General of the European Agricultural Machinery Industry Association (CEMA)
President of the German Farmers’ Association
Moderated by Matthias Nachtmann, the panel will examine the wider conditions required for digital labelling and electronic record-keeping to deliver genuine simplification for farmers while supporting regulatory compliance, secure data use and effective crop protection. Pierluigi Londero, Head of Unit for Data Governance (AGRI.A.4) at DG AGRI, European Commission, will provide the EU policy perspective on agricultural data governance, interoperability and the principles needed to ensure that farmers retain appropriate control over their data as digital systems become increasingly integrated. Joachim Rukwied, President of the German Farmers’ Association, will contribute the farmer and representative-organisations perspective, focusing on whether digital requirements result in practical simplification on the ground, the administrative realities facing farm businesses and the importance of ensuring that new systems remain accessible and workable for farmers. Georgiana Hayes, Chair of the AgriGuide Project at CropLife Europe, will provide the project and plant-protection industry perspective, explaining how AgriGuide can connect digital labels with application records, provide farmers with current product information and support the transition towards electronic compliance requirements. Jelte Wiersma, Secretary General of the European Agricultural Machinery Industry Association (CEMA), will contribute the agricultural machinery and technology perspective, examining the interoperability of digital labels and data with farm-management systems, machinery and other digital tools already used in modern agriculture. Together, the panellists will explore how regulation, farmer needs, plant-protection information and agricultural technologies can be aligned to create interoperable and secure digital systems that reduce duplication, simplify compliance and enable farmers to spend more time managing their farms rather than administrative processes.
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Independent Agricultural Digitalization Expert and Chairman, Friends of Digital Farming e.V.
Matthias Nachtmann, Founder and Chairman of the Board at Friends of Digital Farming e.V., will close the workshop by drawing together the principal messages from the AgriGuide demonstration and panel discussion. His concluding remarks will highlight the conditions needed for digital labelling to deliver genuine simplification: interoperability between systems, secure and transparent data use, farmer ownership and control, practical usability and close cooperation between farmers, regulators, technology providers and industry. The conclusion will reinforce the central objective of ensuring that digitalisation reduces complexity rather than creating additional administrative burdens.
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Welcome to a memorable evening at the iconic Berns, one of Stockholm’s most elegant and historic venues, located in the heart of the city.
Transportation will be arranged from Clarion Hotel Sign and Scandic 53 to Berns, with shuttle buses departing at 19:15. Please remember to bring and wear your congress badge, as it will serve as your admission ticket to the gala dinner.
The theme for the evening is disco and glitter, so we warmly encourage a touch of glamour and sparkle, however this is no formal requirement.
After the dinner and festivities, shuttle transportation will also be available back to the hotel.
We look forward to welcoming you to the LRF Gala Dinner and creating wonderful memories together.
https://berns.se/
© Berns | The Ballroom, Stockholm
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European agriculture and forestry are operating in an increasingly complex economic and geopolitical environment, shaped by international competition, evolving trade relations, security concerns, environmental pressures and the prospect of further EU enlargement. Against this background, the Congress plenary sessions will examine how Europe can strengthen the resilience of its agricultural sector while safeguarding food security, maintaining viable farming communities and preparing for future EU integration. Particular attention will be given to the implications of enlargement for the Common Agricultural Policy, agricultural markets, trade, production standards and the allocation of resources. Bringing together farmers, cooperatives, policymakers, international organisations and industry representatives, the plenary discussions will provide a forum to identify practical priorities for Europe’s agricultural future and to ensure that agriculture remains a central pillar of European competitiveness, security and long-term resilience.
download programmeEU Affairs and Communications Manager, ICOS; Chair of the Cooperative Coordination Committee of Cogeca
Damien O’Reilly of ICOS will open the plenary programme, introduce the day’s central theme of European agricultural competitiveness in an enlarged Europe, and guide participants through the sequence of speeches, discussions and panel exchanges.
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President, LRF
Palle Borgström, President of the Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF), will welcome participants to Stockholm on behalf of the Swedish farming community and the Congress host organisation, setting the stage for a day of exchanges on the future of European agriculture.
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Cogeca President
Lennart Nilsson, President of Cogeca and Member of the National Board of LRF, will formally open the Congress discussions, highlighting the contribution of farmers and agricultural cooperatives to European competitiveness, resilient food systems and strong rural economies.
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(Video-Message) President of the European Parliament
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, will address Congress participants by video, placing agriculture within the broader European political agenda and reflecting on its importance for competitiveness, food security, resilient rural communities and Europe’s long-term stability.
Photograph credit: © European Union - Source: EP
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Vice-President of the European Parliament
Victor Negrescu, Vice-President of the European Parliament, will provide the European Parliament’s perspective on the future of European agriculture and its contribution to Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and long-term stability. His intervention will consider the role of the European Parliament in shaping EU priorities affecting farmers and rural communities, including the future direction of agricultural policy, investment and competitiveness, while situating agriculture within the wider challenges facing the European Union and its future development.
Photograph credit: © European Union – Source: European Parliament
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Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the Government of Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Irish Presidency
Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will present the Irish perspective on strengthening European agriculture and food production, including competitiveness, farm incomes, rural communities and priorities arising in the context of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Photograph credit: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Government of Ireland
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European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, European Commission
Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, will examine how environmental policy, resource security and circular-economy objectives can be aligned with the need to maintain a productive and internationally competitive European agricultural sector.
Photograph credit: © European Union, European Commission
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A collective sequence for Europe’s agricultural future. As a defining moment of the Congress, a sequence of collective engagement for the future of European agriculture will be unveiled.
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The coffee break will provide participants with a short opportunity to refresh, network and continue informal exchanges before the next session of the programme.
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President, Jacques Delors Institute; Dean, IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs
Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute, Dean of the IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs and former Prime Minister of Italy, will set the strategic context for the competitiveness debate, considering agriculture within the broader challenge of strengthening Europe’s Single Market, economic performance and capacity to compete internationally.
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Copa Vice-President
Director General CropLife Europe
President of Cajamar Caja Rural
Moderated by Damien O’Reilly, this panel will examine what European competitiveness means in practical terms for farmers, cooperatives, agricultural businesses and the wider agri-food economy. Enrico Letta will bring a broad European economic and institutional perspective, linking agricultural competitiveness to the future of the Single Market and Europe’s capacity to invest and grow. Nikolaus Berlakovich, Vice-President of Copa, President of the Burgenland Chamber of Agriculture and former Austrian Federal Minister for Agriculture, will contribute the perspective of farmers and agricultural organisations, focusing on the conditions needed for economically viable farming. Eduardo Baamonde Noche, President of Cajamar Caja Rural, will address the role of agricultural finance, investment and access to capital in supporting modernisation and competitiveness. Olivier de Matos, Director General of CropLife Europe, will contribute an industry perspective on innovation, agricultural inputs, regulation and the technologies required to maintain productive European agriculture. Together, the panellists will explore how policy, finance, innovation and the Single Market can better support a competitive and resilient agricultural sector.
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The lunch break will take place at the hotel, where participants will be offered a selection of meal options. It will provide an opportunity to relax between sessions, continue informal discussions and network with fellow participants in a more informal setting.
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Copa Vice President
Pedro Barato Triguero, Copa Vice-President, will present the principal outcomes of Workshop 1, summarising the practical challenges and proposed solutions concerning fertiliser and crop-protection costs, input availability, labour shortages and their impact on farm competitiveness.
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Cogeca Vice-President
Florentin Bercu, Cogeca Vice-President, will report on the main conclusions from Workshop 2, highlighting opportunities for AI to improve productivity and resource efficiency alongside challenges concerning investment, digital skills, infrastructure, data access and data governance.
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Chairwoman of the Women’s Committee at Copa-Cogeca
Francesca Gironi, Chairwoman of the Women’s Committee at Copa-Cogeca, will present the main conclusions of Workshop 3, focusing on access to land, financing and investment for women farmers and on how targeted support can strengthen farm succession, new entrants and generational renewal.
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Cogeca Vice-President
Christian Høegh-Andersen, Vice-President of Cogeca, will present the principal conclusions of the Showcase Workshop, highlighting how EU research and innovation can be translated more effectively into practical tools, technologies and solutions accessible to farmers and agricultural cooperatives.
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Director General CropLife Europe
Olivier de Matos, Director General of CropLife Europe, will present the main conclusions of the Sponsor Workshop, explaining how digital labelling could improve access to product information, simplify regulatory requirements and reduce administrative complexity for farmers.
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Senior Economist in the Markets and Trade Division of FAO
Monika Tothová, Senior Economist in the Markets and Trade Division of the FAO, will set the international context for the food-security debate, drawing on agricultural market and trade perspectives to examine risks to food availability, market stability and the resilience of agricultural supply chains.
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Senior Economist in the Markets and Trade Division of FAO
Vice-President of COGECA, Director of the Polish Chamber of Milk
Director of Directorate A – Strategy and Policy Analysis in DG Agriculture and Rural Development
Executive Vice President of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)
Moderated by Damien O’Reilly, this panel will examine how European agriculture can contribute to food security while remaining resilient to geopolitical tensions, market volatility, trade disruption and changing production conditions. Monika Tothová, Senior Economist at FAO, will contribute an international market and trade perspective, providing insight into global food-security trends and the factors affecting agricultural supply and prices. Agnieszka Maliszewska, Vice-President of Cogeca, will represent the cooperative perspective, considering how farmer-owned cooperatives can strengthen supply chains, market access and resilience. Joby Young, Executive Vice President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, will contribute the perspective of U.S. farmers and provide a transatlantic view on agricultural production, trade and food security. Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, Director for Strategy and Policy Analysis at DG AGRI, will provide the European Commission’s strategic policy perspective, linking food security to the CAP, market resilience and the EU’s longer-term agricultural priorities. Together, the panel will explore how production capacity, trade, policy and cooperation can reinforce Europe’s food security and strategic resilience.
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The coffee break will provide participants with a short opportunity to refresh, network and continue informal exchanges before the next session of the programme.
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President, European Food Banks Federation
Bernard Valluis, President of the European Food Banks Federation (FEBA) and co-author of an Agridées study on EU enlargement, will introduce the enlargement debate by outlining its potential implications for European agriculture, food systems, markets and the economic balance between existing and future Member States.
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Copa Vice-President
Senior Guest Research Scholar, IIASA; former Director, European Commission DG AGRI
Director of Directorate A – Strategy and Policy Analysis in DG Agriculture and Rural Development
President, European Food Banks Federation
Moderated by Damien O’Reilly, this panel will explore how future EU enlargement could reshape European agriculture and the Common Agricultural Policy, combining farming, analytical and institutional perspectives. Jan Doležal, Vice-President of Copa, will contribute the perspective of farmers and agricultural organisations, including experience from a Member State that has itself undergone EU accession and agricultural integration. Tassos Haniotis, Guest Emeritus Research Scholar at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and former senior European Commission agricultural official, will bring an analytical and policy perspective on agricultural markets, the CAP, resource allocation and the structural implications of enlargement.Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, Director for Strategy and Policy Analysis at DG AGRI, European Commission, will provide the European Commission’s agricultural policy perspective, examining the implications of enlargement for the Common Agricultural Policy, agricultural markets, resource allocation and the integration of future Member States into the EU agricultural framework. The exchange will consider how enlargement can be managed while maintaining fair competition, viable agricultural markets, appropriate production standards and a resilient CAP capable of supporting both existing and future Member States.
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Copa President
Massimiliano Giansanti, President of Copa, will close the plenary programme by drawing together the principal messages emerging from the day’s discussions and highlighting the priorities identified for a competitive, secure and resilient European agricultural sector in the context of future enlargement.
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After a high level congress day in Clarion Hotel Sign the dinner of this last evening will bring us all a bit closer to the countryside and farming. A good preparation for the Fridays farm visit! Please bring your best boots and hats and look forward to an evening with a country music touch.
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Visits organised by LRF
* The visits cost 50 € per person and will be included in the registration fee.
North:
Estimated arrival at Arlanda Airport at 3:45 p.m. and at the Congress Hotel at 4:30 p.m.
West:
Estimated arrival at Arlanda Airport at 3:45 p.m. and at the Congress Hotel at 4:30 p.m.
South:
Estimated arrival at the Congress Hotel at 4:45 p.m. Please observe that this tour does not stop at Arlanda Airport.
The Congress Farm Visits will provide participants with a practical insight into Swedish agriculture through three technical tours showcasing a range of farming systems, technologies and approaches to sustainable land management. The visits will enable participants to exchange directly with farmers and explore how innovation, diversification, resource efficiency, digital technologies and resilient production systems are being applied in practice across Swedish farms.
Participants will assemble at the Clarion Hotel Sign ahead of the technical farm visits. This period will allow participants to gather, confirm their attendance and prepare for the departure procedures before being allocated to their respective farm-visit tours.
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Before departure, participants will receive a short practical briefing covering the organisation of the farm visits, transport arrangements, timings and key logistical information. Participants will then be confirmed within their allocated Northward, Westward or Southward tour groups before boarding the designated transport for departure.
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08h30 – 10h15 | Transfer to Backa Gård
Departure from the Clarion Hotel Sign in Stockholm at 08h30 for the journey northwards to Backa Gård. The transfer will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and will bring participants directly to the first technical farm visit of the day.
10h15 – 11h45 | Backa Gård Visit
Technical visit to Backa Gård, focusing on the farm’s dairy and crop production activities and its broader approach to long-term farm development. Participants will receive an overview of the organisation and integration of dairy and crop production within the farming business, together with the farm’s approach to generational renewal, succession planning and long-term investment. Particular attention will be given to the role of forestry as part of the farm’s economic and investment strategy, including how woodland assets can provide financial security, diversify income and support future agricultural investment. The visit will also explore how dairy production, crop production, pastureland and forestry are combined to strengthen the resilience and diversification of the farm business. Participants will visit the external dairy facilities, pastureland and forest areas, gaining practical insight into the management of livestock production, land use and forestry within a diversified agricultural enterprise.
11h45 – 12h30 | Transfer to Österby Gård
Departure from Backa Gård at 11h45 for the transfer to Österby Gård. The journey will take approximately 45 minutes and will connect the morning programme on dairy, crop production, forestry and generational renewal with the afternoon technical visit focusing on beef production, crop management, soil health and local value chains.
12h30 – 13h30 | Lunch and Swedish ‘Fika’
Arrival at Österby Gård at approximately 12h30, followed by lunch and a traditional Swedish ‘fika’. The one-hour break will provide participants with the opportunity to rest, exchange views and discuss observations from the morning visit before the afternoon technical programme begins.
13h30 – 14h45 | Österby Gård Visit
Technical visit to Österby Gård, focusing on the farm’s beef and crop production systems and its approach to sustainable land and business management. Participants will receive an overview of the farm’s beef production activities and the integration of livestock and crop production within the wider agricultural enterprise. The visit will examine the farm’s approach to sustainable crop rotation and soil health management, including practices aimed at maintaining soil fertility, structure and long-term productive capacity. Particular attention will also be given to the farm’s direct-sales activities and farm shop, examining how local sales can strengthen local value chains, create closer links between producers and consumers and generate additional farm income. The visit will include the cattle barn and farm shop, providing participants with direct insight into the farm’s livestock production facilities and local marketing activities.
14h45 – 15h00 | Departure from Österby Gård
Conclusion of the technical visit to Österby Gård at 14h45. Participants will regroup and board the coach in preparation for departure, with the coach scheduled to leave the farm at approximately 15h00 for the onward journey to Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
15h00 – 15h45 | Transfer to Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Transfer from Österby Gård to Stockholm Arlanda Airport, with a scheduled journey time of approximately 45 minutes and arrival at the airport at approximately 15h45.
15h45 | Stockholm Arlanda Airport – Optional Drop-Off
Arrival at Stockholm Arlanda Airport at approximately 15h45. Participants with flights or onward travel arrangements from Arlanda will have the option to leave the coach at the airport and conclude their participation in the Northward Technical Visit at this point, while participants returning to central Stockholm will remain on the coach.
15h45 – 16h30 | Transfer to Clarion Hotel Sign
Departure from Stockholm Arlanda Airport following the optional drop-off and continuation of the journey to the Clarion Hotel Sign in central Stockholm, with the final transfer expected to take approximately 45 minutes.
16h30 | Arrival at Clarion Hotel Sign
Scheduled arrival at the Clarion Hotel Sign at approximately 16h30, marking the conclusion of Technical Visit 1 – Northward.
08h30 – 10h00 | Transfer to Gränsöö Slott
Departure from the Clarion Hotel Sign in Stockholm at 08h30 for the journey westwards to Gränsöö Slott. The transfer will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and will bring participants directly to the first technical visit of the day.
10h00 – 11h30 | Gränsöö Slott Visit
Technical visit to Gränsöö Slott, focusing on its integrated rural business model combining agriculture, forestry and rural tourism. Participants will receive an overview of how these activities are organised within a diversified rural enterprise and how the combination of productive agriculture, forestry and tourism can create additional economic value and strengthen long-term business resilience. Particular attention will be given to apple production and juice processing, including the role of on-site processing in adding value to agricultural production and diversifying farm income. The visit will also examine the estate’s approach to nature conservation and sustainable land management, highlighting how agricultural production, forestry, landscape management and environmental stewardship can be balanced within a single rural business. Participants will tour the orchard and surrounding forest areas, gaining practical insight into the integration of agricultural production, forestry, tourism and sustainable resource management.
11h30 – 12h15 | Transfer to Mycklinge Gård
Departure from Gränsöö Slott at 11h30 for the transfer to Mycklinge Gård. The journey will take approximately 45 minutes and will connect the morning programme on diversification, forestry, tourism, apple production and sustainable land management with the afternoon technical visit focusing on pig and crop production, renewable energy, energy self-sufficiency and farm biosecurity.
12h15 – 13h15 | Lunch and Swedish ‘Fika’
Arrival at Mycklinge Gård at approximately 12h15, followed by lunch and a traditional Swedish ‘fika’. The one-hour break will provide participants with the opportunity to rest, exchange views and discuss observations from the morning visit before the afternoon technical programme begins.
13h15 – 14h45 | Mycklinge Gård Visit
Technical visit to Mycklinge Gård, focusing on the farm’s integrated pig and crop production systems and its approach to renewable energy, circular resource use and farm resilience. Participants will receive an overview of how pig production and crop production are integrated within the farming business, including the relationship between livestock production, crop management and the use of farm resources. Particular attention will be given to biogas production and the farm’s approach to energy self-sufficiency, including how agricultural by-products and organic resources can be used to generate renewable energy, reduce dependence on external energy sources and support a more circular production system. The visit will also examine the farm’s biosecurity measures and practical experience in managing risks associated with African swine fever (ASF), including the importance of preventive measures, risk management and operational preparedness in protecting livestock production. Participants will receive a presentation of the farm’s wider operations and visit the biogas facilities, gaining direct insight into the integration of pig production, crop production, renewable energy generation, resource efficiency and biosecurity within the agricultural enterprise.
14h45 – 15h00 | Departure from Mycklinge Gård
Conclusion of the technical visit to Mycklinge Gård at 14h45. Participants will regroup and board the coach in preparation for departure, with the coach scheduled to leave the farm at approximately 15h00 for the onward journey to Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
15h00 – 15h45 | Transfer to Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Transfer from Mycklinge Gård to Stockholm Arlanda Airport, with a scheduled journey time of approximately 45 minutes and arrival at the airport at approximately 15h45.
15h45 | Stockholm Arlanda Airport – Optional Drop-Off
Arrival at Stockholm Arlanda Airport at approximately 15h45. Participants with flights or onward travel arrangements from Arlanda will have the option to leave the coach at the airport and conclude their participation in the Westward Technical Visit at this point, while participants returning to central Stockholm will remain on the coach.
15h45 – 16h30 | Transfer to Clarion Hotel Sign
Departure from Stockholm Arlanda Airport following the optional drop-off and continuation of the journey to the Clarion Hotel Sign in central Stockholm, with the final transfer expected to take approximately 45 minutes.
16h30 | Arrival at Clarion Hotel Sign
Scheduled arrival at the Clarion Hotel Sign at approximately 16h30, marking the conclusion of Technical Visit 2 – Westward.
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08h30 – 10h00 | Transfer to Hamra Gård
Departure from the Clarion Hotel Sign in Stockholm at 08h30 for the journey southwards to Hamra Gård. The transfer will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and will bring participants directly to the first technical farm visit of the day.
10h00 – 11h45 | Hamra Gård Visit
Technical visit to Hamra Gård, focusing on the farm’s advanced dairy production systems and the application of technology, resource efficiency and sustainable management practices within a modern dairy enterprise. Participants will receive an overview of the farm’s dairy production model and the use of AI-based monitoring technologies to support animal management, improve operational efficiency and provide more precise information on herd performance and welfare. Particular attention will be given to sustainable feed management, including the efficient use of feed resources and the integration of feeding strategies within the wider dairy production system. The visit will also examine the farm’s manure recycling practices, highlighting how nutrient flows and agricultural by-products can be managed more efficiently and reintegrated into the production cycle. Participants will explore the application of innovative dairy technologies designed to improve productivity, resource efficiency and animal management. The practical programme will include visits to the dairy barn, exhibition hall and museum, providing direct insight into the farm’s production facilities, technological development and wider agricultural context.
11h45 – 12h30 | Transfer to Tullgarns Kungsgård
Departure from Hamra Gård at 11h45 for the transfer to Tullgarns Kungsgård. The journey will take approximately 45 minutes and will connect the morning programme on advanced dairy production, digital technologies, feed management and manure recycling with the afternoon technical visit focusing on crop production, grassland management, beef cattle, biodiversity and mixed farming systems.
12h30 – 13h30 | Lunch and Swedish ‘Fika’
Arrival at Tullgarns Kungsgård at approximately 12h30, followed by lunch and a traditional Swedish ‘fika’. The one-hour break will provide participants with the opportunity to rest, exchange views and discuss observations from the morning visit before the afternoon technical programme begins.
13h30 – 15h00 | Tullgarns Kungsgård Visit
Technical visit to Tullgarns Kungsgård, focusing on crop production, grassland management, beef cattle production and mixed farming systems. Participants will receive an overview of the farm’s crop production and grassland management practices and how these activities are integrated within a broader mixed farming system. Particular attention will be given to the role of livestock in supporting biodiversity and maintaining the agricultural landscape, including the contribution of grazing animals to grassland management, habitat preservation and the continued use of agricultural land. The visit will also examine the interaction between arable production and livestock farming, demonstrating how crop and animal production can complement one another within an integrated agricultural system. Participants will receive insight into the farm’s beef cattle production, including its relationship with pasture, grassland and land management. The practical programme will include visits to the surrounding fields, cattle barn and horse stables, providing direct insight into the farm’s mixed production activities, livestock management and approach to maintaining productive and biodiverse agricultural landscapes.
15h00 – 15h15 | Departure from Tullgarns Kungsgård
Conclusion of the technical visit to Tullgarns Kungsgård at 15h00. Participants will regroup and board the coach in preparation for departure, with the coach scheduled to leave the farm at approximately 15h15 for the return journey to Stockholm and the Clarion Hotel Sign.
15h15 – 16h45 | Transfer to Clarion Hotel Sign
Return transfer from Tullgarns Kungsgård to the Clarion Hotel Sign in central Stockholm. The journey will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, with participants travelling directly from the final technical visit back to the Congress hotel.
16h45 | Arrival at Clarion Hotel Sign
Scheduled arrival at the Clarion Hotel Sign at approximately 16h45, marking the conclusion of Technical Visit 3 – Southward.
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