During the XXXIII Economic Forum in Karpacz, we participated in the discussion panel “The European Parliament in the New Term: Regulatory Priorities.” The panel was dedicated to discussing the challenges and opportunities related to the European Green Deal, with particular emphasis on its impact on Polish agriculture and food production.
The panel featured:
Małgorzata Bojańczyk, Director of the Association for Sustainable Agriculture and Food in Poland
Anna Borys, Senior Director of Government Relations Europe at McDonald’s
Krzysztof Hetman, Member of the European Parliament
Marcin Nowacki, Vice President of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers
Ewelina Szczech-Pietkiewicz, Head of the European Union Department at the Warsaw School of Economics.
The discussion was moderated by Karolina Zbytniewska, Editor-in-Chief of EurActiv.pl.
Source: McDonald’s Polska.
Małgorzata Bojańczyk emphasized that:
The European Green Deal, the flagship program of the European Commission, aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. For Polish agriculture and businesses, this means, among other things, the necessity of decarbonization, but it should be carried out while maintaining the competitiveness and profitability of agricultural production. An important aspect, often overlooked in the context of rural development, is social issues, particularly the role of women in the development of the agricultural sector. Therefore, alongside economic and environmental concerns, we must support diverse and inclusive workplaces for women, as well as the overall social development of rural areas. This includes elements such as promoting the mental well-being of farmers, including systemic solutions – from psychological support, through leaves of absence, access to social infrastructure such as nurseries or kindergartens, to providing care for the elderly.
In 2024, the European Commission published a detailed impact assessment on potential ways to achieve the agreed plan. Based on this assessment, a recommendation was made to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040. However, this is not a legislative proposal but rather a vision of the Commission, which analyzed scenarios for ambition levels across various sectors of the economy, including agriculture. The 2040 target will serve as the basis for a new, nationally determined target and the EU’s contribution under the Paris Agreement. This target will be included in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by 2025.
In its new political guidelines for 2024-2029, the European Commission confirmed this direction by renewing its commitment to implementing the European Green Deal, allocating resources for a just transition and more ambitious climate goals. The Green Deal will evolve into the so-called Clean Industrial Deal, where competitiveness, while maintaining sustainable development goals, is at the forefront. This also applies to agricultural and food policies. The agricultural sector is crucial for food security and the strategic autonomy of the European Union, especially in the face of climate change and geopolitical tensions. The ability to produce sufficient food is becoming increasingly important in the context of growing uncertainty in global markets. Climate change demands rapid adaptation and the adoption of sustainable practices, which are essential for the stability of agricultural production in Europe.
The importance of the agricultural sector for the stability of supply chains is also critical from a business perspective. A stable agricultural sector ensures the continuity of raw material supplies necessary for food production and other agricultural products, which is key for companies operating in the food industry. Companies that can rely on stable sources of raw materials are less exposed to the risk of supply disruptions, sudden price increases, or difficulties in accessing key products.
During the discussion, Małgorzata Bojańczyk also highlighted the critical importance of investment in research, development, innovation, digital agriculture, knowledge transfer, support for young farmers, the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, and the introduction of reciprocity in import standards, which is particularly important in the context of potential new members joining the European Union. All these actions are intended to help farmers adapt to climate change while simultaneously increasing the competitiveness of farms.
The panelists agreed that the implementation of the Green Deal requires a common-sense approach, realistic goals that take into account the diversity of agricultural systems within the EU, and a narrative that should be understandable and acceptable both to farmers and the broader public.
During the XXXIII Economic Forum in Karpacz, we took part in the panel discussion “Between decarbonization and competitiveness”. The Association for Sustainable Agriculture & Food in Poland was represented by Małgorzata Bojańczyk, director of the Association.
The panel featured the participation of:
Małgorzata Bojańczyk, Director of the Association for Sustainable Agriculture and Food in Poland
Miłosz Motyka, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Climate and Environment
Adam Nowak, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Igor Hebrajski, Supply Chain Director at McDonald’s Poland
Adam Rytel, Green Factory.
The discussion was moderated by Robert Tomaszewski from Polityka Insight.
During the panel, we discussed the necessary actions to achieve the decarbonization of agriculture in Poland and the European Union. As panelists unanimously emphasized, the decarbonization of agriculture is not only possible but also necessary to meet the European climate goals by 2050. Key elements of this transformation are regenerative practices, green energy, water crisis management, technological innovations, and digitization, which can significantly contribute to increasing the competitiveness of farmers in Poland and the EU.
Source: McDonald’s Poland.
The European Commission clearly points to the need to reduce emissions within their own supply chains, rather than relying on offsets in other sectors. The reason for this position is to encourage businesses to take real action to reduce emissions. Achieving this goal requires business cooperation with farmers based on a partnership approach.
– emphasized Małgorzata Bojańczyk during the discussion.
We also discussed the opportunities that decarbonization presents for farmers. The introduction of sustainable solutions, such as appropriate soil cultivation methods, can not only contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also provide farms with the opportunity to create a new business model and generate revenue. This is particularly important because by implementing regenerative practices, farmers become more attractive partners for businesses in the context of reporting ESG metrics and reducing emissions across the entire supply chain. A good example of the effects of cooperation between farmers and the agro-food sector is the actions of McDonald’s Poland, presented in the company’s latest ESG Report. The report is available on this site.
During the discussion, we also covered the necessary actions the Polish government should take to support the decarbonization of agriculture without lowering the competitiveness of Polish agriculture. Recommended actions included systemic incentives for farmers, promoting sustainable agriculture, animal welfare, investments in infrastructure and technology, support for the energy transition, and the introduction of appropriate legal regulations, including social dialogue and business input.
We talk to Andrej Sarnatsky, Country Manager Agricultural Solutions at BASF Poland, about challenges, innovations and the present and future of agriculture.
BASF operates in many European markets, can you tell us please if and how the Polish agricultural market differs from other European markets? In my opinion, in some respects, the Polish market is not that different from other European markets. All farmers in Europe face very similar challenges and consumer expectations. Obviously, there are also aspects that are different. I am thinking here mainly of the very high diversity of crops in Poland. Polish fields are home not only to cereals, oilseed rape and maize, but also to sugar beet, potatoes and many different types of vegetables. Orchard crops, especially soft fruit such as raspberries, strawberries and blueberries, are very specific to Poland. It should also be remembered that Poland is the largest producer of apples in Europe.
The second characteristic of Polish agriculture is the great diversity of farm structures. On the one hand this is a great challenge, but on the other hand it is a source of richness and biodiversity. Poland is not a country with one or a few leading crops; there is great diversity in this respect.
Another thing that distinguishes Poland from most European countries is the relatively poor quality of the soil and the very difficult meteorological conditions. Low rainfall, frequent droughts and frosts are additional factors that make farming a challenge. However, I believe that Poland has been able to adapt to these conditions. Difficulties have been turned into successes. The vegetables produced, for example, are known not only in Poland but also abroad. Apples and blueberries are exported to very distant countries, where they are appreciated. Poland has also become an exporter in the grain market. Polish farmers are learning and are not afraid to introduce new varieties such as soya or sunflower.
How can farmers adapt to these Poland-specific challenges? What is the role of innovation in crop protection? Can you give examples of innovative solutions implemented by BASF? The most important prerequisite for effective protection is to know your farm and field well, and to know what potential weed species, fungal pathogens and pests may occur in your crops. It is essential to know the specific crop of a particular species and variety and its susceptibility to different threats. Understanding the conditions on your farm and the challenges you face will help you choose the most effective protection methods and products. In the case of crop protection products, the most important factor influencing their choice is their efficacy and reliability. Another factor that growers look at is the cost of application. Today, they are looking for products with the best efficacy/price ratio.
At present, the level of crop protection in Poland is significantly lower than in Western European countries. We use fewer plant protection products compared to other countries. Nevertheless, we are a country that is very open to innovation, also when it comes to plant protection products. Farmers are keen to adopt new solutions that have a positive impact on the efficiency of agricultural production. Taking this into account, I think we can be proud that this year we have introduced as many as four new products: two for cereal protection: Revyflex® Plus and Daxur® , and two for rape protection: Architect® and Pictor® Revy. And we can’t forget our portfolio of biological products. This year Serifel® received registration in a number of new vegetable crops.
What is sustainable crop protection? Can you say more about sustainable agriculture from a crop protection perspective? Does BASF offer solutions to support sustainable agriculture? Farmers who follow the sustainable agriculture model use natural methods for crop protection, but they also use chemical products, e.g. according to the principles of integrated pest management, often with the help of precision farming tools. It is a compromise that responds to the global challenge of increasing food production while at the same time protecting soil, water and air, conserving remaining environmental resources and combating climate change.
At BASF, we work every day to help agriculture reduce its environmental impact, improve farm efficiency or sequester carbon in the soil. With our portfolio of products, technologies and services, we want to have a positive impact on the changes taking place in agriculture, the agri-food industry and ultimately society. To help farmers find the right balance, we are focusing first and foremost on developing our technologies. I am thinking, for example, of the launch of products based on an advanced active ingredient called Revysol®, which will help farmers to achieve higher and healthier yields, regardless of weather conditions, and with much less impact on the environment.
Another example of our efforts is our range of canola seeds that are more resistant to stress and fungal disease while delivering very high yields. This is why we have included InVigor® in our portfolio, and for the coming season we are offering a further InVigor 2050 oilseed rape variety, which in 2022-2023 registration trials delivered yields 10-13% above the benchmark. It also has high and stable seed and fat yields, a strong health package, improved resistance to pod burst and seed drop, and above-average winter hardiness. All of these characteristics make it easier to farm in a sustainable agriculture model.
What is the impact of the European Green Deal on the crop protection sector? Agriculture is facing a number of challenges, such as the depletion of the Earth’s natural resources, climate change and the need to maintain food security. The European Green Deal has introduced a number of new requirements and challenges, all in the context of diminishing access to raw materials, fertile soil and water. Reducing the environmental and climate footprint or strengthening the resilience of the EU food system and moving towards sustainable agriculture and production is to be achieved, among other things, through the farm-to-fork strategy, the biodiversity strategy, the organic farming strategy or the sustainable use of plant protection products. It is also important for us to have an active dialogue with the administration and the trade, which is why we organised a debate in February this year where we discussed the requirements of the European Green Deal in detail with representatives of our national associations. We agreed that these principles are essentially sound, but that they need to be revised in the light of the current socio-economic situation and adapted to the capabilities of the Member States. After all, the extent to which pesticides are used varies from one EU country to another, depending on the size of the country, the scale of agricultural production and many other influencing factors. One of the topics discussed was the innovation needed to make agriculture sustainable in order to achieve the reduction targets. We have to bear in mind that these are long-term processes that need to be supported, but which will allow us to maintain efficient agricultural production that ensures food security while protecting the environment, as I mentioned earlier.
What is the role of precision agriculture and technological tools in supporting agriculture in Poland? In what direction are these tools developing? Recently, precision agriculture has been developing rapidly. We cannot say yet that it is already a widespread and easily accessible process, but we have more and more new tools at our disposal, often already highly advanced. The driving force behind the development of precision agriculture is the need to use scarce natural resources as efficiently as possible while respecting the environment. It will enable us to apply products exactly where they are needed most and avoid places where they are not needed. We will also be able to select the right amount of product to match the potential of a particular part of the field. As far as the degree of adaptation of modern technological solutions to Polish agriculture is concerned, this is not yet a widespread process. One of the reasons for this is that many of these solutions are costly and require changes in the machinery fleet. In order to fully exploit the possibilities of precision farming, it will often be necessary to replace the sprayer, seeder or other machinery. Of course, this should not be seen as an insurmountable obstacle. On the contrary, we should gradually and thoughtfully introduce individual elements to make farmers’ work increasingly easier and safer. One such element could be the implementation of Closed Transfer Systems (CTS), so that we can significantly improve the safety of plant protection product application.
What is agricultural biodiversity and why is it important? How does restoring biodiversity affect yields and other aspects of farming? In agricultural areas, one of the main challenges is limited arable land and an ever increasing population. Increasing yields can have a direct impact on reducing biodiversity. Modern crops are growing closer together and mechanical and chemical weed control methods are reducing weeds in fields – these treatments are practical and necessary, but they also mean that fields no longer provide a natural habitat for wild plants and most animals, significantly reducing biodiversity.
Modern agriculture needs biodiversity. It is an essential basis for maintaining many ecological processes that, among other things, positively influence soil structure and fertility and the productivity of agricultural ecosystems. Protecting biodiversity promotes the stability and sustainability of ecosystems and increases their resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses.
In addition to the use of modern cultivation techniques that protect the soil and the careful dosage of crop protection products to minimise the impact on the ecosystem, it is possible to create strips of flowering plants between the fields where pollinating insects, for example, can find their place. After all, plants that are properly pollinated by insects produce better yields.
What is involved in researching agricultural solutions? We are an R&D company and we are constantly looking for innovations, new active ingredients that we can bring to our customers in the future. With the changing environment, the increasing pressure from new fungal pathogens, pests or weeds, we want to offer products that can effectively support food producers. One example is our new product, which is in the process of being registered in Europe, to help growers control the troublesome field bindweed. At the same time, we need to think ahead and be mindful of the regulatory requirements for crop protection products now and in the years to come. We need to make sure that the product we develop today will also meet future criteria. This is very important because it usually takes more than 10 years to bring a new product from idea to market. This is a very time-consuming process that depends on a number of factors. First and foremost, products brought to market must be safe not only for the crop but also for the environment. This in turn requires many lengthy tests, many of which can only be carried out once a year due to the growing cycle. These tests generate a large amount of data, which is evaluated by independent institutions that ultimately decide whether the product is approved. The evaluation and analysis of this data is also a process that takes months. But it ensures that we know the products are safe. Provided, of course, that they are used as intended.
How do you, as an organisation, implement sustainability? At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. We create opportunities for our agricultural customers to meet the current and future needs of society through innovation and scientific development. With the goals of the European Green Deal and Europe’s ambition for climate neutrality in mind, we are helping growers to become more carbon efficient, delivering on our commitment to reduce the carbon footprint per tonne of crop produced in strategic crops by 30% by 2030. As I said earlier, our portfolio of products, technologies and services is designed to make a positive contribution to the transformation of agriculture, the agri-food industry and ultimately society. Through the development of new technologies and innovative fungicide products, we can deliver higher and healthier yields regardless of changing weather conditions. Nitrogen management products that improve the efficacy of fertilizers, new forms of chemical and biological insecticides for crop protection are all important. And, obviously, the huge importance of precision agriculture, which I mentioned earlier.
The Partnership for the Implementation of the Environmental Dimension of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs Partnership “Together for the Environment”) is an initiative of UNEP/GRID-Warsaw, which implements the mission of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Poland.
The SDGs Partnership “Together for the Environment” responds to the need to create a friendly climate in Poland and the best possible conditions for achieving of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included in Agenda 2030, adopted by the United Nations at the Sustainable Development Summit in New York on 25 September 2015.
The Association for Sustainable Food and Agriculture in Poland has become an institutional partner of the SDGs Partnership ‘Together for the Environment’. The official confirmation of joining the programme took place during the celebration of World Environment Day. We will work together to realise the environmental dimension of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by raising awareness of sustainable development and environmental protection, particularly in the area of sustainable agriculture and food production.
Source: UNEP/GRID-Warszawa.
According to the UN, up to 40% of the planet’s land surface has been degraded. This means that we are talking about a problem that directly affects half of the world’s population and half of the world’s GDP. Since 2000 alone, the number and duration of droughts has increased by almost a third. If we do not take action to prevent further degradation of the planet’s surface, more than three-quarters of humanity could be affected by drought by 2050.
– says Michał Purol, Chief Sustainability Officer at UNEP/GRID-Warsaw.
Human activities and unsustainable production and consumption, are taking a toll on ecosystems around the world. UNEP/GRID-Warszawa supports Poland’s valuable ecosystems in cooperation with conservation services, including Poland’s national parks, involving representatives of the private sector in their restoration and protection. Companies associated with the agro-food sector can also take action to support the ecosystems in which they operate.
Such practices can include the introduction of new climate-resilient crop varieties or the use of modern farming techniques. This makes it possible to implement a more sustainable agricultural model while maintaining profitable production. Such optimisations also apply to the rest of the food chain. In parallel, efforts should be made to reduce food waste and losses at the retail or catering level. This will also reduce water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
– said Małgorzata Bojańczyk, Director of the Association for Sustainable Food and Agriculture in Poland.
These goals can be achieved by increasing funding for research and development of new technologies in crop and livestock production. Agri-food companies play a very important role in researching new developments in agriculture.
The European Commission, the Mayor of Warsaw and the General Directorate for Environmental Protection are the honorary patrons of the Polish celebration of World Environment Day.
