Second National Policy Dialogue in Lithuania Focuses on CAP Reform and Farmer Well-being
On 4 December 2025, the second National Policy Dialogue under the SafeHabitus project was held online via MS Teams. The event gathered representatives from key institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, the National Paying Agency, the Chamber of Agriculture, the Lithuanian Agricultural Advisory Service, Vytautas Magnus University, and farmer representatives.
The meeting focused on SafeHabitus national policy recommendations in the context of the forthcoming CAP reform. Participants discussed how stronger social conditionality under the new CAP will link compliance with labour and safety regulations to income support, increasing the relevance of occupational safety and health (OSH) at farm level. However, concerns were raised that progress on worker safety and compliance is impossible without robust training and advisory services — yet these measures remain financially unprotected in the new funding architecture and therefore at risk.
The dialogue also highlighted a significant gap in addressing farmer mental health. Despite rising stress and administrative pressures, there is no dedicated structure within national governance to monitor or support farmer well-being. Participants agreed that strengthening extension services, creating targeted OSH and mental health programmes, and clarifying social conditionality requirements will be essential for achieving CAP objectives and safeguarding farmers and workers in the next programming period.
The event concluded with a call to integrate SafeHabitus findings into national policy discussions, extension programmes, and future OSH initiatives to build a stronger safety culture and resilience across Lithuanian agriculture.
More information about the SafeHabitus project:
SafeHabitus is a four-year Horizon Europe project coordinated by TEAGASC Ireland, aiming to strengthen Farm Health and Safety Knowledge Innovation Systems and support the EU’s transition to social sustainability in farming.
SafeHabitus | Farm Health and Safety Knowledge Innovation Systems
