On holiday in France or Italy? Pay attention to agriculture

It's summer. Many people head to France or Italy – countries where you can enjoy sun, wine, lavender and la dolce vitaBut what if, besides holiday fun, we also took policy inspiration from the south? These two countries certainly have something important to say, especially when it comes to agriculture. And we, as agricultural countries, should definitely listen to that.

On June 27, 2025, France and Italy issued a joint statement on the future of European agriculture. Titled La France et l'Italie partagent des enjeux communs pour l'avenir de l'agriculture européenne They laid down their shared vision. No vague language, but concrete positions on trade policy, agricultural budgets, and strategic autonomy.

Against Mercosur
Their first concern? The Mercosur agreement. It allows products on the European market that meet much lower standards for the environment, food safety, and working conditions. According to Paris and Rome, this undermines the business model of our own farmers. They therefore firmly demand that Europe protect its farmers from unfair competition. And rightly so. Fair trade starts with a level playing field.

Central place for CAP
They also want the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to regain a central place in the European budget, with sufficient resources and clear objectives. Not a false sense of security, but genuine support for agriculture that is climate-resilient, innovative, and socially just. Because agriculture is more than just production. It's landscape, water management, food security, and community building—all rolled into one.

Trust the farmer
What strikes me most about this Franco-Italian collaboration is the strategic awareness. Both countries recognize agriculture as a foundation of their societies. Something that shouldn't be left at the mercy of the market or the complexity of ever-changing regulations. They demand clarity, simplification, and trust for their farmers. And yes, they also demand political courage.

So yes, by all means, keep enjoying your glass of wine in Provence or your plate of pasta in Tuscany. But when we get back, let's also take a look at how these countries approach their agricultural policies. Perhaps a "policy holiday" wouldn't be a bad idea. For once, let's look not at Canada or Denmark, but at our neighbors to the south – countries with a warm culture and a strong agricultural vision.

Because whoever gives farmers a future also gives their society oxygen. And they understand this all too well in France and Italy. I wish everyone a wonderful, inspiring, and carefree holiday.

Jan de Keyser

Is director Agri & Food BNP Paribas Fortis in Belgium. In his opinions he reflects on strategic developments in the agricultural sector.

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.