From agriculture to agroindustry: the European Union Farm to Fork policy

Abstract The European Union’s ambitious “Farm to Fork” strategy, a cornerstone of the Green Deal, aims to transform the European agricultural sector into a more sustainable model. However, the effectiveness of this strategy in addressing the pressing sustainability challenges of the Ag-Food industry remains under scrutiny. This contribution seeks to critically analyse the Farm to Fork strategy and identify areas where further improvement is needed. A systematic literature review of recent scientific contributions on European policies aimed at Ag-Food industries from a cross-disciplinary, holistic, and systemic perspective, was conducted. The study identified best practices and gaps across various areas of the Ag-Food industry, providing insights into the systemic implications of the Farm to Fork strategy. Key findings from the analysis revealed that while the Farm to Fork strategy sets a positive direction for sustainable agriculture, it faces limitations in addressing critical aspects. The assessments point towards a quantitative reduction in production throughout the European Union, increased dependence on imports and a reduction in exports, as well as a reduction in consumer purchasing power. The legislator appear to perceive the strategy as having a net positive impact overall. Yet, the literature seems to show the opposite, highlighting that this may not hold true without significant technological progress such as the adoption of best practices and measures to assist those negatively impacted by the transition.