Agricultural Policy and Intensive Farming: Perspectives and Alternatives
Criticism of intensive farming has been widely voiced. But what concrete options exist for developing alternatives to this system?
This event takes place as part of the AlimenTERRE Festival and draws on the investigative documentary “Food For Profit” as its starting point. Giulia Innocenzi, co-director of the film, will participate in the event and share her perspective.
Context
When “Food For Profit” was released a year ago, over 10,000 people across Europe signed a petition to stop Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidies for intensive farming. However, the European Parliament’s Petitions Committee never seriously considered this demand and simply closed the petition, claiming that the EU was already taking action to improve farming sustainability.
The petition’s demands included:
- Establishing a legal definition of intensive farming
- Excluding intensive farms from European public funding
This event provides an opportunity to continue the discussion on alternative approaches and to explore different perspectives on the issue.
Program
Experts will examine various aspects of intensive farming. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to discuss individual topics in greater depth in virtual breakout rooms and to explore possible courses of action.
Key Topics
🌾 CAP 2027
What reforms are possible for a fairer, more sustainable Common Agricultural Policy without subsidies for intensive farming?
🗺️ Regions
What political, legal, and journalistic measures can prevent the creation of new intensive farms at the local level?
⚖️ Legal Action
Is it possible to bring a case before the European Court of Justice against EU funding for meat-based product advertising?
đź’° Financialization
How do mega-profits, tax avoidance, and financial structures shape our food system? What role does Luxembourg play in facilitating these dynamics?
🏦 Special Focus: Luxembourg as a Financial Center
Maarten Hietland will specifically address the role of Luxembourg and its financial center in the agricultural industry.
Maarten will examine the financial architecture supporting industrial agriculture, using JBS’s Luxembourg operations as a case study.
Expert Speakers
Giulia Innocenzi
Journalist and Director of “Food For Profit”
Giulia is a journalist and co-director of the investigative documentary “Food For Profit”, which examines the intensive farming industry and European agricultural policies.
Andrea Tesei
Activist and Expert on Territorial Actions
Andrea specializes in territorial and legal actions against intensive animal farms, focusing on preventing the establishment of new industrial farming operations at the local level.
Martina Pluda
Director, Humane Society International Italy
Martina is a professional animal advocate with a legal and media background. Previously Head of Programmes at FOUR PAWS in Vienna, she holds a Master’s in Animal Law (LLM) and is currently a PhD candidate. She will address CAP reform and pathways toward sustainable food systems.
Maarten Hietland
Independent Corporate Tax Policy Advisor & Researcher
Over the past eight years, Maarten Hietland has built extensive experience as a corporate tax policy advisor and researcher. He has worked with leading organizations such as Oxfam Novib, SOMO, Greenpeace, World Animal Protection and CICTAR. After five years at Oxfam Novib and SOMO, Maarten began working independently, supporting NGOs and research institutions as a freelance consultant. His recent work has focused on investigating major food and agricultural corporations, including JBS, ADM, Bunge, COFCO, Cargill, and the Louis Dreyfus Company.
Online Working Groups
Following the presentations, we will split into online working groups on the various topics to discuss the issues in depth and explore possible courses of action.
Organized by
Eumans • Food For Profit • Greenpeace Luxembourg • European Climate Pact • etika • Citizens For Ecological Learning & Living • Festival AlimenTERRE