Program
Find below all the information you need about the conferences & workshops during the Summit.
Thursday, April 23rd
Thursday, April 23rd
9:00 - 9:10 - WELCOME SPEECH
- Lorena van de KOLK, Managing Partner, Schuttelaar & Partners
9:00 - 9:10 - WELCOME SPEECH
- Lorena van de KOLK, Managing Partner, Schuttelaar & Partners
9:10 - 9:30 - KEYNOTE SPEECH
- Catherine GESLAIN-LANÉELLE, Director of Strategy and Policy Analysis, DG AGRI, European Commission
9:10 - 9:30 - KEYNOTE SPEECH
- Catherine GESLAIN-LANÉELLE, Director of Strategy and Policy Analysis, DG AGRI, European Commission
9:30 - 10:30 - PANEL DISCUSSION - Data-driven farming and the digitalisation of agriculture
This conference explores how data driven farming is reshaping the sustainability agenda in European agriculture, and what this means for public affairs. - Sjaak WOLFERT, Senior Scientist, Wageningen Social & Economic Research - Jürgen VANGEYTE, Scientific Director Agricultural Engineering, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO) - Doris MARQUARDT, Programme Officer EU Policies and contact person for agriculture, DG CNECT, European Commission Moderated by Lorena van de KOLK, Managing Partner, Schuttelaar & Partners
9:30 - 10:30 - PANEL DISCUSSION - Data-driven farming and the digitalisation of agriculture
This conference explores how data driven farming is reshaping the sustainability agenda in European agriculture, and what this means for public affairs. - Sjaak WOLFERT, Senior Scientist, Wageningen Social & Economic Research - Jürgen VANGEYTE, Scientific Director Agricultural Engineering, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO) - Doris MARQUARDT, Programme Officer EU Policies and contact person for agriculture, DG CNECT, European Commission Moderated by Lorena van de KOLK, Managing Partner, Schuttelaar & Partners
- NETWORKING BREAK -
11:00 - 12:00 - PANEL DISCUSSION - Water resilience: policy and public affairs perspective
This conference explores strategies to enhance water resilience in agriculture and food systems, with a focus on EU policy frameworks and funding opportunities. - Sara JOHANSSON, Senior Policy Officer for Water, European Environmental Bureau (EEB) - Laurence MODREGO, Senior Policy Officer for Sustainable Agriculture and Food, WWF’s European Policy Office - Joachim D'EUGENIO, Policy Adviser for Zero Pollution, DG ENV, European Commission - Mélanie MURO, Director for Nature and Food Systems, Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) Moderated by Angela FRIGO, Senior Managing Consultant, Schuttelaar & Partners
11:00 - 12:00 - PANEL DISCUSSION - Water resilience: policy and public affairs perspective
This conference explores strategies to enhance water resilience in agriculture and food systems, with a focus on EU policy frameworks and funding opportunities. - Sara JOHANSSON, Senior Policy Officer for Water, European Environmental Bureau (EEB) - Laurence MODREGO, Senior Policy Officer for Sustainable Agriculture and Food, WWF’s European Policy Office - Joachim D'EUGENIO, Policy Adviser for Zero Pollution, DG ENV, European Commission - Mélanie MURO, Director for Nature and Food Systems, Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) Moderated by Angela FRIGO, Senior Managing Consultant, Schuttelaar & Partners
11:30 - 12:15 - WORKSHOP - Seeds for the future: driving generational renewal in EU agriculture
This workshop examines strategies to support generational renewal in the EU agri-food sector, focusing on policies, funding mechanisms, and public affairs opportunities. - Radu MIHAILOV President of BIO Top Romania Cooperative and Vice-President of Working Party on Research & Innovation, Copa-Cogeca - David LAMB, Team Leader, CAP Implementation Contact Point, EU CAP Network - Ilaria DE SIMONE, Food and Feed Safety Regulatory Manager, Bunge Moderated by Rose O'DONOVAN, Chief Editor, Agra Facts
11:30 - 12:15 - WORKSHOP - Seeds for the future: driving generational renewal in EU agriculture
This workshop examines strategies to support generational renewal in the EU agri-food sector, focusing on policies, funding mechanisms, and public affairs opportunities. - Radu MIHAILOV President of BIO Top Romania Cooperative and Vice-President of Working Party on Research & Innovation, Copa-Cogeca - David LAMB, Team Leader, CAP Implementation Contact Point, EU CAP Network - Ilaria DE SIMONE, Food and Feed Safety Regulatory Manager, Bunge Moderated by Rose O'DONOVAN, Chief Editor, Agra Facts
12:15 - LUNCH
12:15 - LUNCH
13:30 - 14:30 : PANEL DISCUSSION - The vinegar gap: clearer and harmonised EU rules
This conference will explore the evolving EU legislative framework for vinegar within the ongoing proposal to strengthen farmers' position in the agri-food supply chain. - Patricia SURENDONK, Vice President EVA and CEO Burg Group - Gaya DUCCESCHI, Head of Wine and Society, Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins - Cesare MAZZETTI, President of Consortium of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI Moderated by Ad NAGELKERKE, Managing Partner, Schuttelaar & Partners
13:30 - 14:30 : PANEL DISCUSSION - The vinegar gap: clearer and harmonised EU rules
This conference will explore the evolving EU legislative framework for vinegar within the ongoing proposal to strengthen farmers' position in the agri-food supply chain. - Patricia SURENDONK, Vice President EVA and CEO Burg Group - Gaya DUCCESCHI, Head of Wine and Society, Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins - Cesare MAZZETTI, President of Consortium of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI Moderated by Ad NAGELKERKE, Managing Partner, Schuttelaar & Partners
14:30 - 15:30 - PANEL DISCUSSION - Financing for regenerative agriculture
This conference explores how EU policy frameworks and funding mechanisms can support the transition to regenerative agriculture. Participants will gain insights into current EU programmes and other incentives that can mobilize private and public investment in sustainable agriculture. - Ariane de BELLEFROID, Senior Manager Institutional Engagement, OP2B - Isabella WEDL, Senior Policy Analyst, Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) - Jolijn ZWART-Van KESSEL, Innovation Lead, Circular Agrifood – Foodvalley - Richard LALLY, Technical Manager, Business Development, Alltech - İlker BEKTAS, Founder & CEO, Orbiba Robitics Moderated by Rose O'DONOVAN, Chief Editor, Agra Facts.
14:30 - 15:30 - PANEL DISCUSSION - Financing for regenerative agriculture
This conference explores how EU policy frameworks and funding mechanisms can support the transition to regenerative agriculture. Participants will gain insights into current EU programmes and other incentives that can mobilize private and public investment in sustainable agriculture. - Ariane de BELLEFROID, Senior Manager Institutional Engagement, OP2B - Isabella WEDL, Senior Policy Analyst, Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) - Jolijn ZWART-Van KESSEL, Innovation Lead, Circular Agrifood – Foodvalley - Richard LALLY, Technical Manager, Business Development, Alltech - İlker BEKTAS, Founder & CEO, Orbiba Robitics Moderated by Rose O'DONOVAN, Chief Editor, Agra Facts.
14:45 - 15:30 - WORKSHOP - A new era for the digitalisation of agriculture
This workshop explores how data driven farming is reshaping the sustainability agenda in European agriculture, and what this means for public affairs. - Anna FENSEL, Artificial Intelligence Chair Group, Wageningen University & Research - Vik VANDECAVEYE, Chairman of the working group on Digitalisation and New Technologies, CEMA - Tassos HANIOTIS, Special Advisor, ForumForAG and former Director, European Commission - Bianca OOSTERLAAR, Public Affairs Manager, Grodan - Daniela Di GIANANTONIO, Head of Digital Agriculture, Europe and Central Asia - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Moderated by Lorena van de KOLK, Managing Partner, Schuttelaar & Partners
14:45 - 15:30 - WORKSHOP - A new era for the digitalisation of agriculture
This workshop explores how data driven farming is reshaping the sustainability agenda in European agriculture, and what this means for public affairs. - Anna FENSEL, Artificial Intelligence Chair Group, Wageningen University & Research - Vik VANDECAVEYE, Chairman of the working group on Digitalisation and New Technologies, CEMA - Tassos HANIOTIS, Special Advisor, ForumForAG and former Director, European Commission - Bianca OOSTERLAAR, Public Affairs Manager, Grodan - Daniela Di GIANANTONIO, Head of Digital Agriculture, Europe and Central Asia - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Moderated by Lorena van de KOLK, Managing Partner, Schuttelaar & Partners
- NETWORKING BREAK -
16:15 - 17:15 - PANEL DISCUSSION - Building sustainable and traceable supply chains
This conference explores sustainability and full-chain traceability and how forward looking companies are already taking concrete steps to meet and exceed these expectations. - Antoine OGER, Executive Director, Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) - William SURMAN, Deputy Director General, FoodDrinkEurope- Marco BALDOLI, Secretary General, CAOBISCO Moderated by Ad NAGELKERKE, Managing Partner, Schuttelaar & Partners
16:15 - 17:15 - PANEL DISCUSSION - Building sustainable and traceable supply chains
This conference explores sustainability and full-chain traceability and how forward looking companies are already taking concrete steps to meet and exceed these expectations. - Antoine OGER, Executive Director, Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) - William SURMAN, Deputy Director General, FoodDrinkEurope- Marco BALDOLI, Secretary General, CAOBISCO Moderated by Ad NAGELKERKE, Managing Partner, Schuttelaar & Partners
16:30 - 17:15 - WORKSHOP - Structuring Agri-Food Public Affairs with AI
This workshop explores how leading teams use AI-driven political intelligence systems to save time and stay focused. - Robin OSMONT, Co-founder, Dixit
16:30 - 17:15 - WORKSHOP - Structuring Agri-Food Public Affairs with AI
This workshop explores how leading teams use AI-driven political intelligence systems to save time and stay focused. - Robin OSMONT, Co-founder, Dixit
17:15 - 17:30 - CLOSING REMARKS
17:15 - 17:30 - CLOSING REMARKS
17:30 - NETWORKING COCKTAIL
17:30 - NETWORKING COCKTAIL
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
MEET
DEBATE
DEVELOP
The Public affairs Summit in Brussels is an event 100% dedicated to EU public affairs professionals. The edition devoted to agriculture and food will be held over one day on 23 April 2026, in a venue right in the heart of Brussels.
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
MEET
DEBATE
DEVELOP
The Public affairs Summit in Brussels is an event 100% dedicated to EU public affairs professionals. The edition devoted to agriculture and food will be held over one day on 23 April 2026, in a venue right in the heart of Brussels.
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
MEET
DEBATE
DEVELOP
The Public affairs Summit in Brussels is an event 100% dedicated to EU public affairs professionals. The edition devoted to agriculture and food will be held over one day on 23 April 2026, in a venue right in the heart of Brussels.