Using resources sustainably
Food production is not possible without natural resources, such as water or soil. European farmers and agri-cooperatives are the custodians of our countryside and are already doing their share to use natural resources sustainably – and will continue to do so in the future. As a result, the adverse impact of agriculture on the environment has been reduced significantly over the years.
Progressing towards climate and environmental targets:
European agriculture has made real progress on the climate and environment front, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and nitrate levels in rivers by 17.7% since 1990. Additionally, around 40% of the land in the Natura 2000 network is, or was once, managed farmland. These areas depend on farmers to continuously manage them. Grazing livestock play an important role in this process too.