Ricard Ramon i Sumoy (Tarragona, 1976) is Deputy Head of the European Commission's General Directorate of Agriculture. In this high-ranking position, he has not only been involved in the design and negotiation of the future Common Agricultural Policy but has also actively worked on integrating the CAP with measures of the European Green Deal.

This political scientist by training, profession and vocation is no stranger to the subject: he grew up in a family dedicated to poultry farming in Camp de Tarragona. Neither does he seem to fear processes of change. He was 10 years old when Spain's entry into the European Economic Community became effective, and although he experienced first-hand the increase in competition in many products, he soon understood the positive effects of membership. It pushed the sector to modernize and integrate the environmental standards it lacked.

Growing up in a town where the whole culture revolved around a river that he always saw as dry and heavily altered by human action, helped him to understand that there are moments in history when it is necessary to change direction. Precisely for this reason, we wanted to talk to him: we are interested in knowing if he thinks it is possible to make agricultural and economic development compatible with biodiversity and respect for natural resources. More specifically, we want you to explain the objectives of the European "Biodiversity 2030" strategy and how it can contribute to accelerating the transition towards a more sustainable agri-food model.

What implications does the Biodiversity 2030 strategy have for agricultural and livestock practices in the territory? Why is biodiversity in food so important?

The Biodiversity 2030 strategy has important implications for the economy and society as a whole. To begin with, it is important to remember that more than half of the world's Gross Domestic Product depends on nature and the services it provides. And agricultural activities are not only heavily dependent on it, but also have a major impact on the use of the planet's resources. In specific issues of biodiversity, this is fundamental to guarantee food security in the long term. It is well known that the loss of biological diversity poses a threat to food systems, as it negatively influences crop yields and can endanger food security and population nutrition. We must not forget that more than 75% of the food produced around the world depends on pollination by insects.

«More than half of the world's Gross Domestic Product depends on nature and the services it provides» Ricard Ramon

What are the main causes of biodiversity loss in agriculture? How serious is the problem according to scientific evidence?

In the past four decades, the world's wildlife population has declined by 60% as a result of human activity, and 75% of the Earth's surface has been altered. Both urbanization and agricultural intensification have played a key role in both processes. In the specific case of agriculture, the causes are very diverse and include the excessive use of chemical pesticides to the expansion of monocultures.

«The loss of biological diversity poses a threat to food systems» Ricard Ramon

What are the agricultural practices that contribute to preserving biodiversity?

Many practices contribute to preserving and improving biodiversity; however, it is important to bear in mind that these actions must be adapted to the specificities of each agricultural ecosystem. From the European Commission we have published a list of good practices to take into account in the new CAP, and we find, for example, the establishment and maintenance of elements of the landscape, the introduction of fallows, the promotion of crop rotations crops, the inclusion of legumes, the promotion of traditional extensive grazing activities (such as transhumance), the planning of the crop calendar based on the nesting of certain species, the creation of semi-natural habitats, the establishment of the populations of pollinating insects, etc. Obviously, the promotion of organic farming or agroecological models also contributes to biodiversity.

«More than 75% of the food produced around the world depends on pollination by insects» Ricard Ramon

In the European Union, how widespread are the sustainable practices just mentioned?

It depends a lot on each state and each region - it's hard to generalize. It should also be borne in mind that the impacts are very different depending on each ecosystem and depending on the level of intensification implemented. Having said that, in the future, we will be more ambitious and, as we have established in the Biodiversity 2030 strategy, we will demand that 10% of the agricultural surface includes landscape elements that promote biological diversity. In other words, agricultural fields will have to incorporate protective strips, fallows, non-productive spaces, walls, etc.

The Biodiversity 2030 strategy is a key political framework for the conservation of biodiversity related to agri-food practices. What needs to be done to improve the effectiveness of your measures?

First, we must improve the extension of a less intensive and much more environmentally friendly production model; for this reason, from the European Commission, we aim for 25% of the agricultural land in the Member States to be cultivated organically. But we also aim to reduce the use and risk of pesticides by 50%. To achieve this, it is important that all administrations row in the same direction, and that the different financial instruments available, especially the new CAP, serve to support the efforts that farmers must make.

«It is important that all the administrations row in the same direction, and that the different financial instruments available, especially the new CAP, serve to support the efforts that farmers must make» Ricard Ramon

Do you think it is necessary to improve the knowledge that farmers have about the effects of biodiversity loss on food production, to stimulate their enthusiasm when it comes to accelerating the transition to a more sustainable agriculture and achieving a management more environmentally friendly?

Farming is already making considerable efforts and incorporating more sustainable production practices. However, these efforts will have to be intensified, which is why it is essential that the new CAP strategic plans, which will come into force in 2023, are up to the mark and incorporate ambitious measures. In this sense, a key innovation are the so-called "eco-schemes", a new instrument that will allow financing with resources from the first pillar of the CAP (that is, paid in full with the European budget) agricultural and livestock practices that have an impact more beneficial to the environment and the climate. We will also have co-financed agri-environmental measures, which will have to be more ambitious and have a better financial endowment. Likewise, with the new CAP we want to promote new models of support for environmental practices, with incentives that go beyond compensation, and with new mechanisms more focused on obtaining results. The synergistic vision is also important, and to take advantage of the new CAP as an excuse to align national, regional or local strategies with the spirit of the European Green Deal. In this sense, it is important not to forget that the administrations closest to the citizens have a lot to say and can play a very important role in moving forward in the direction of the European Green Deal.

Can local and sustainable agriculture save biodiversity? Is small-scale family farming better for the environment? What farm size is best for the planet?

There is no specific model. We think that all farms must be sustainable, whether large or small. We think that the ideal dimension allows us to guarantee respect for the environment and at the same time achieve economic viability. Since larger farms have economies of scale, the new CAP will favour small and medium-sized farms and they will receive additional financial support.

How does the Biodiversity 2030 strategy support efforts to fight climate change?

They are two complementary strategies. Climate change has a great impact on biodiversity and for this reason, it is necessary to face both challenges together. In addition, the European Commission believes that if we take ambitious measures to improve soil quality and its capacity to capture carbon, we will be contributing to increasing biodiversity and fighting climate change. In this sense, I would like to insist on the importance of good pasture management, since it is an important element that will be promoted in the context of the new Common Agricultural Policy and that should be stimulated in future strategic plans.

«Climate change has a great impact on biodiversity and that is why it is necessary to face both challenges together» Ricard Ramon

Do you think that farmers need to make substantial changes and address the need to solve problems related to biodiversity loss to protect the future of children growing up now?

The change must be gradual, in order not to put at risk the viability of agricultural holdings, which in some cases are already in a very vulnerable situation. But at the same time, it must be an irreversible change, which allows the ecological transition to be internalized. We must not forget that, after all, society is moving in this direction, and consumers themselves are becoming more and more demanding in terms of the food production model. That is why it is also important to work on the demand side so that the consumer and the entire food chain can pay for public goods that the market does not remunerate. The European Commission will offer important financial incentives, but all actors (producers, administrations and consumers) must be able to move in the same direction. We think that producing food on viable farms and at the same time protecting the environment is totally compatible.

— Lola Mayenco —