26 March 2025 Ended

Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot Curie, Brussels

Conference - Rethinking Generational Renewal: the European Agricultural Workforce in a Changing World

INRAE is organising a scientific conference dedicated to research on the renewal of the agricultural workforce in Europe. In a context marked by demographic change, structural transformation of farming systems and ongoing transitions in agriculture, generational renewal has become a key area of interest for both research and policy.

© INRAE

How can the agricultural workforce be placed at the centre of transitions? What roles can research and policy play in making farming more sustainable, attractive and socially inclusive?


The conference will bring together European leaders from academic research, stakeholders and EU policy-makers, in order to shed new light on this pressing issue and go beyond the generational renewal in agriculture.

26 March 2025 | 1 :00 pm – 6 :00 pm 
Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie | Rue du Trône 100, 1050 Brussels

Programme

Opening keynotes from Thierry Caquet, Vice-President of International Policy, INRAE

Session 1 - Changing perspective on the renewal of the agricultural workforce

  • New entrants in agriculture: opportunities and challenges
    Laure Latruffe, senior researcher, INRAE
  • The crucial role of generational renewal in shaping the future of farming
    Daniele Bertolozzi Caredio, senior consultant & researcher, ECORYS

Session 2 - Putting the agricultural workforce at the heart of transitions

  • Working conditions: making jobs in agriculture more attractive
    Nathalie Hostiou, senior researcher, INRAE, board member of the International Association of Work in Agriculture
  • Supporting generational renewal: the role of improving working and living conditions
    David Meredith, head of AgriFood Business and Spatial Analysis (TEAGASC) and SafeHabitus project coordinator

Session 3 - From science to public policies: supporting transitions

Roundtable: strategy for generational renewal in agriculture: What are the conditions for a policy generating transformative change in Europe?

Panelists:

  • Maria Gafo Gomez-Zamalloa, acting head of Social Sustainability Unit, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
  • Sébastien Pérel, policy advisor, CEJA (European Council of Young Farmers)
  • Piotr Sadlocha, president, ELARD (European Leader Association for Rural Development)
  • Pia Nieminen, senior policy advisor, permanent representation of the European Investment Bank (EIB)

Moderator: Sophie Thoyer, senior researcher, INRAE, Center for Environmental Economics of Montpellier

The event will take place at the Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie, the Brussels platform for French research, innovation and higher education institutions. It hosts permanent members such as CDEFI, CEA, CNRS, France Universités, IFREMER, INRAE, Inria, IRD, IRSN, INSERM, ONERA and Université Gustave Eiffel.

The main activities are to monitor European information and strategy, strengthening the interface with the French players in the Brussels ecosystem and to increase the visibility of the expertise and results of the French scientific community among Brussels players in research, innovation and higher education. The Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie hosts working meetings, seminars and events involving European institutions (Parliament, Commission, Directorates-General and executive agencies, etc.).

Centres

Divisions