Competitiveness versus Social Goals The EU completed a strategic dialogue on the future of the Continent’s agriculture and despite the June elections whittling down the power of the Greens, they have won the debate on farm subsidies. The farmers protesting ahead of this year’s elections were no doubt smaller operations unable to make a profit. EU President Ursula von der Leyen pledged to, “do more to protect our farmers and to make the agrifood system more resilient, competitive, but most importantly, also more sustainable.” Indications are that the new policy direction will emphasize environment over competitiveness. There may be a move away from area-based payments and income support instead targeted to those &ldq...

TAGS – Europe, Macroeconomics