Isn’t it impressive how policies shaped in Brussels impact fields and farms across Europe? Here, standing before the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development or DG AGRI, we’re at the heart of it all. DG AGRI is a part of the European Commission. It shapes the European Union’s agricultural and rural development landscape.
Think of DG AGRI as the architect of the Common Agricultural Policy or CAP. The CAP impacts what farmers grow and how rural communities thrive. The DG AGRI’s mission is pretty clear. It manages and develops the CAP. DG AGRI also reinforces rural development policy. Another goal is safeguarding the European model of agriculture.
Since April 2020, Wolfgang Burtscher has been at the helm as Director-General. Michael Scannell serves as Deputy Director-General. Janusz Wojciechowski is the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development since 2019.
Inside this building at 130 Rue de la Loi are about 1,000 employees. In 2020, there were 851 employees. They work tirelessly across twelve Directorates. Each one handles specific aspects of agricultural policy.
Let’s break down a few of these Directorates. Directorate A tackles international affairs. It focuses especially on WTO negotiations. Directorate B handles international affairs related to enlargement. Directorate C deals with the economics of agricultural markets. It also deals with the single Common Market Organization. Directorate D manages direct support. It also handles market measures and promotion. Directorates E and F focus on rural development programs. Directorate G addresses horizontal aspects of rural development. Directorate H is all about sustainability and quality. It concerns agriculture and rural development. Directorate I handles internal resource management. Directorate J audits agricultural expenditure. Directorate K manages relations with other institutions. It handles communication and documentation. Directorate L focuses on economic analyses, perspectives, and evaluation. Finally, Directorate M deals with agricultural legislation.
DG AGRI’s work extends beyond Brussels. It reaches every corner of the EU. The aim is to ensure food security. The aim is to promote sustainable farming. The goal is to support rural communities.
Remember Phil Hogan who served as Commissioner from 2014 to 2019? Before Wojciechowski took office, he played a crucial role in shaping agricultural policy. Other Directors General include José Manuel Silva Rodríguez and Jean-Luc Demarty. They steered the ship before Burtscher.
DG AGRI also keeps a close watch on market trends. It aims to stabilize markets and predict future needs. The organization publishes key figures. These figures monitor food supply and security.
The European Union is stepping up its efforts. It encourages young people to take up farming. The CAP supports the vibrancy. It ensures economic viability of rural areas. This happens through funding and actions. These actions support rural development.
The Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development aims to promote sustainable development of European agriculture. Its role is vital. It ensures our farms thrive. It helps our rural communities prosper. It guarantees we have food on our tables.