Bill Wirtz is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Consumer Choice Centre who specializes in evidence-based policy-making, agriculture, trade policy, and lifestyle choices. Originally from Luxembourg, he publishes in German, French, and English. Wirtz keynoted the recent CropConnect conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In an interview following the CropConnect presentation, Wirtz focused on the EU’s Farm-to-Fork Strategy.

The European Union’s agriculture reforms, introduced under the Farm-to-Fork Strategy, were set with high expectations. This strategy outlines key goals for the EU’s agricultural sector, with legislation designed to achieve them. But in Wirtz’s words, the strategy failed.

By 2030, the strategy aimed to reduce synthetic pesticide use by 50%, cut fertilizer use by 20%, and increase organic production to 25% (currently at about 10%, significantly higher than Canada but still a fraction of the total output. Reduce farmland by 10% across the EU.

These ambitious reforms were intended to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact, though their effectiveness and impact on food production remain controversial.

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