On 6 May, the European Parliament will host a landmark policy event dedicated to intercropping, marking a decisive step in bringing this diversified cropping practice from research into the heart of EU policymaking. The event is co‑organised by the IntercropVALUES Horizon Europe project and the LEGUMINOSE project, and hosted by Cristina Guarda, Member of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA).
For IntercropVALUES, this event represents a unique opportunity to transform years of scientific evidence into concrete policy dialogue. Designed as a bridge between research outcomes and political action, the event brings together policymakers from the European Commission, Members of Parliament, farmers, researchers, and agri‑food stakeholders to discuss how EU policies — especially the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) — can better support crop diversification and intercropping.
The agenda reflects this objective. After opening remarks by MEP Cristina Guarda, representatives from Horizon Europe projects will present key findings and joint policy recommendations developed through IntercropVALUES and LEGUMINOSE. These contributions highlight the agronomic, environmental, and economic benefits of intercropping, as well as the barriers that still limit its wider adoption in European farming systems.
A high‑level panel discussion will then explore how the next CAP can actively encourage diversification. The panel includes representatives from DG AGRI, academic experts, and a farmer directly implementing diversified systems, ensuring that policy discussions remain firmly grounded in practice.
As a research and innovation project, IntercropVALUES aims not only to generate knowledge, but also to ensure that this knowledge informs decision‑making. By co‑organising this event at the European Parliament, the project reinforces its commitment to supporting a more resilient, sustainable, and autonomous European food system.
The event can be followed online, for which a previous registration is needed: https://forms.gle/aGiMTrZX6N5wdAEe7
This event confirms that intercropping is no longer a niche topic — it is now firmly on the European policy agenda.