How is Sustainable Agriculture Represented in the EU CAP Proposal 2020-2027? A Discourse Analysis

Abstract: The need for a sustainable agricultural system that works to support the environmental, social, and economic needs of the agricultural sector and those both within and affected by it is absolutely imperative given the climate crisis and challenging economic and social health of farmers. The agricultural sector has an enormous environmental impact while also providing large economic and social value. It is also a sector that is heavily influenced by consumers and changing attitudes towards food and health. The EU Common Agricultural Policy steers the direction of the agricultural sector within the EU and its implementation influences environmental, social, and economic aspects of the EU agricultural sector. A discourse analysis methodology is used to investigate the representation of sustainable agriculture within the Common Agricultural Policy proposal 2020-2027. Carol Bacchi’s “What’s the Problem Represented to be?” framework is employed to identify the underlying assumptions present in the representation of sustainable agriculture and the consequent effects. Eleven underlying assumptions were identified and five effects of said assumptions discussed.