Representative of the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, LKO
Moderator:
Dr. Verena Scherfranz
“© Dorothea Neubacher”
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President of LAPAR
Moderator:
Matei Titianu
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Representative of the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, LKO
Scientific Director ARVALIS
Manager of CFBM Agricultura
This panel will examine practical approaches to addressing the cost, availability and regulatory challenges affecting fertilisers and crop protection products in European agriculture. Bringing together perspectives from farming, agricultural policy and applied research, the discussion will explore how farmers can maintain productivity, competitiveness and resilience while adapting to changing market conditions and increasingly demanding regulatory requirements. The exchange will be moderated by Verena Scherfranz, Representative of the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture (LKO). The panel will feature Caroline Van der Heyden, Environment Policy Advisor at Boerenbond (Belgium), contributing expertise on environmental and agricultural policy; Afonso Bulhão Martins, Farmer and representative of CAP (Portugal), providing a practical farmer perspective on input pressures and on-farm solutions; and Stéphane Jézéquel, Scientific Director at ARVALIS (France), bringing scientific and technical expertise on crop production, fertilisation and crop protection. Together, the panellists will consider practical solutions capable of supporting economically viable and sustainable European farming.
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Representative of the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, LKO
Head of Labour Market Policy, Green Employers
Head of Learning & Development, ICOS
This panel will examine the growing labour challenges affecting European agriculture, including persistent workforce shortages, difficulties in attracting and retaining skilled workers, changing employment conditions, and the need to strengthen training and professional development across the sector. The discussion will focus on practical approaches to building a more resilient, skilled and adaptable agricultural workforce. The exchange will be moderated by Verena Scherfranz, Representative of the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture (LKO). The panel will feature Emma Terander, Head of Labor Market Policy at Green Employers (Sweden), bringing expertise on labour-market policy, employment conditions and workforce challenges in the green sectors; and Billy Goodburn, Head of Learning & Development at ICOS (Ireland), contributing experience in skills development, training and capacity-building within agricultural cooperatives. Together, the panellists will explore practical solutions to improve recruitment, skills development and workforce retention, supporting the long-term competitiveness and resilience of European farming.
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6th Vice President Copa
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Senior Advisor, MTK
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Head of Data Governance at the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission
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Senior Advisor, MTK
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
Managing Director of Raiffeisen-NetWorld GmbH
This workshop will examine how artificial intelligence can support a more productive, resource-efficient and resilient European agricultural and forestry sector, while ensuring that farmers, forest owners and cooperatives retain control over their data and business decisions. The discussion will address practical AI applications, barriers to adoption, data governance, digital infrastructure, skills requirements and the policy conditions needed to support responsible and farmer-centred innovation. The session will be moderated by Max Schulman, Senior Advisor at MTK (Finland). Pierluigi Londero, Head of Unit for Data Governance (AGRI.A.4), DG AGRI, European Commission (EU), will deliver the keynote address and subsequently participate in the panel, contributing the European Commission perspective on agricultural data governance and digital policy. The panel will also bring together Jan Pröbsting-Adelowo, Managing Director of Raiffeisen-NetWorld GmbH (Germany), contributing expertise in digital solutions and cooperative services; Giannis Mavroudis, CEO of GAIA EPICHEIREIN S.A. (Greece), bringing experience in digital agriculture and agricultural innovation; and Per Arfvidsson, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Lantmännen Group (Sweden), providing a cooperative and technology-driven perspective on innovation and AI deployment. The workshop will conclude with remarks by Leonardo Pofferi, Cogeca Vice-President (Italy), reflecting on the implications of AI and digitalisation for European agricultural cooperatives and their members.
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Opening remarks by Francesca Gironi (Women’s Committee Chair) will set the stage for a keynote address from a senior representative of the European Investment Bank focusing on financing instruments for agriculture. The panel discussion will include Viktoria Oslund (Women’s Committee First Vice-Chair), a banking sector representative (Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank), and an official from the European Commission. Each speaker will make a brief presentation, followed by an open discussion and audience Q&A. The workshop will explore challenges and opportunities in access to land, financing instruments and generational renewal for women farmers. The session aims to identify best practices and policy measures that support gender balance and succession planning in European agriculture.
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The plenary will feature a sequence of high-level addresses on EU agricultural competitiveness. His Royal Highness the Prince of Sweden will deliver a welcome address, followed by the Swedish Minister of Agriculture. Video messages are expected from the Presidents of the European Parliament and the European Commission. Subsequent speakers include Norbert Lins (MEP, AGRI Committee), Martin Heydon (President of the EU Agricultural Council, Ireland), and Commissioner Christophe Hansen. Each address will outline strategic priorities for European agriculture amid expanding markets and regulatory challenges, together setting the scene by underlining the importance of agricultural resilience, innovation and cooperation.
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This session opens with a keynote by former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, who will explore strategic imperatives for EU agricultural competitiveness. Following the keynote, a panel debate will include Mr Letta and panellists: Copa Vice-President Nikolaus Berlakovich, Eduardo Baamonde, President of Cajamar, and Olivier de Matos. Each expert will speak briefly before engaging in a moderated discussion and audience Q&A. The session aims to identify policy and market measures to enhance EU farmers’ competitiveness in a global market, balancing trade liberalisation with sustainable farm viability. It will examine how innovation and strategic partnerships can help European agriculture thrive under economic and regulatory pressures.
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Opening with a keynote by former President of Finland Sauli Niinistö, this session will address global and European food security challenges. The ensuing panel debate will include President Niinistö, Cogeca Vice-President Agnieszka Maliszewska, Monika Tothova, AMIS, FAO and the President of American Farm Bureau Federation Zippy Duval. Each panellist will give a short presentation followed by an open discussion and audience questions. Key topics include stabilising supply chains, strategic autonomy in food production, and the impact of climate change and geopolitical instability on food availability. The discussion will highlight how farmers and cooperatives can contribute to secure and sustainable food systems in Europe and beyond under conditions of uncertainty.
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The Congress’s final plenary session will explore the implications of EU enlargement for agriculture. A keynote by Mr Romano Prodi will open the discussion, focusing on the challenges and opportunities of integrating new Member States. A subsequent panel comprising Mr Prodi, Jan Doležal, Copa Vice-President, Gert Jan Koopman, Director General of DG ENEST, and Tassos Haniotis will debate these issues and take audience questions. Topics include aligning agricultural policies, securing market access, supporting rural development and maintaining competitiveness in an enlarged Union. The session will conclude with reflections on ensuring a balanced and sustainable EU expansion that supports both economic cohesion and a resilient agri-food sector.
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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.
Assembly at the Congress Hotel will begin at 8:00 Departure from the Hotel at 08.30 Estimated arrival at Arlanda Airport at 15:45 and at the Congress Hotel at 16:30 Backa Farm: The visit will focus on dairy and crop production, generational renewal and investment strategy, the role of forestry as financial security and an investment driver, and a visit to the dairy facilities, pastureland and forest area. Österby Farm: The visit will cover beef and crop production systems, sustainable crop rotation and soil health, farm shop activities and local value chains, with visits to the cattle barn and farm shop. Lunch and Swedish fika will be served.
Assembly at the Congress Hotel will begin at 8:00 Departure from the Hotel at 08.30 Estimated arrival at Arlanda Airport at 15:45 and at the Congress Hotel at 16:30 Gränsöö Castle: The visit will highlight integrated agriculture, forestry and tourism, apple production and juice processing, nature conservation and land management, and an orchard and forest tour. Lunch and Swedish fika will be served on board the bus due to the long travel distance. The tour will then continue to Mycklinge Farm. Mycklinge Farm: The visit will focus on pig production and crop integration, biogas production and energy self-sufficiency, biosecurity measures and experience with ASF, and a presentation of farm operations and a visit to the biogas facilities.
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Assembly at the Congress Hotel will begin at 8:00 Departure from the Hotel at 08.30 Estimated arrival at the Congress Hotel at 16:45. Please observe that this tour does not stop at Arlanda Airport, but from the Hotel the airport is easily accessible with the express train Arlanda Express which takes 18 minutes. Tullgarn Manor: The visit will focus on crop production and grassland management, the role of livestock in biodiversity and landscape maintenance, and beef cattle and mixed farming systems, including visits to the fields, cattle barn and horse stables. Hamra Farm: The visit will cover advanced dairy production and AI-based monitoring, sustainable feed systems and manure recycling, dairy technology and innovation, and a visit to the dairy barn, exhibition hall and museum. Lunch and Swedish fika will be served.
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