Rethinking Farming on Peatlands: Insights from the LAMASUS Roadshow in the Netherlands

On April 10, 2026, stakeholders from across the agricultural and policy landscape gathered in Breukelen, the Netherlands, for a LAMASUS roadshow focused on the future of farming in peatland areas. Bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, the event explored a central question: how can agriculture on low-productivity soils remain economically viable while contributing to climate and environmental goals? Peatlands play a crucial role in carbon storage, but when drained for agriculture, they become a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, they are deeply embedded in food production systems. In the Netherlands, for example, around 20% of intensive dairy farming takes place on peat soils. Balancing these environmental and economic realities is therefore a key challenge.

Modelling the transition: trade-offs between productivity and sustainability

During the roadshow, LAMASUS partner WUR presented insights from modelling work, which combines historical data, policy analysis, and simulation tools to explore how land use and agriculture may evolve up to 2050. Two contrasting policy pathways framed the discussion: one on maintaining productivity, with limited additional environmental constraints; the other on strong environmental ambition, aligned with the EU Green Deal, biodiversity targets, and large-scale peatland restoration. These scenarios illustrate how different policy choices can significantly influence both land use and farm structures. The results point to a gradual transformation of peatland agriculture: grassland areas are expected to decline under all scenarios, particularly where environmental ambitions are highest. At the same time, dairy cow numbers remain relatively stable, suggesting that farms may adapt through intensification or structural changes rather than reducing production altogether.

The economic reality for farmers

While environmental benefits are clear, the economic implications for farmers are complex. Raising groundwater levels, a key measure for reducing emissions, leads to lower grassland productivity. This can increase reliance on feed imports and put pressure on farm income. Although policy payments are available to support this transition, they are often temporary. The analysis presented during the roadshow assumes that additional payments end after 2028. Under these conditions, farm incomes decline over time, as lower productivity and higher input needs begin to outweigh the benefits of subsidies. This raises important questions about the long-term design of policy support. Short-term compensation may help initiate change, but sustained economic viability will likely require more stable incentives, new business models, or alternative revenue streams. At the same time, collaboration is emerging as a key part of the solution. In the Netherlands, for instance, subsidies encourage farmers to work together on water management at landscape scale, helping to raise groundwater levels more effectively and reduce emissions across entire peatland areas.

Looking ahead

The LAMASUS roadshow in Breukelen highlighted that the transition to sustainable peatland agriculture is not just a technical challenge, but a systemic one. It involves rethinking how land is used, how farmers are supported, and how environmental goals are integrated into economic realities. By combining modelling insights with stakeholder dialogue, LAMASUS is helping to shape a more informed debate about the future of agriculture in Europe. The path forward will depend on finding the right balance between productivity and sustainability, short-term support and long-term resilience, and local action and European ambition.

Final LAMASUS Stakeholder Board workshop: impressions

5-6 March 2026

The final LAMASUS stakeholder board workshop took place on March 5-6, 2026 at the European Research Executive Agency (REA) in Brussels, to discuss the future of EU land-use and climate policies. Stakeholders from 10 European countries and project partners attendeed the event and reflected on:

• scenario results
• findings from case-studies and roadshows
• recent changes in land-use policies in the EU
• new and ongoing reform process in the EU

Day 1 (March 5, 2026)

After a welcome talk by Petr Havlik (IIASA, LAMASUS Principal Investigator), sharing recent highlights of the project and aims of the workshop, Barthelemy Lanos from the European Commission presented updates on the coming agricultural policy reforms in the EU.

Jonathan Doelman (PBL) presented the EU-wide scenarios of LAMASUS, preparing for discussion in the first breakout session, which were focused on the LAMASUS stakeholder declaration on land use policies in Europe.

Photo: LAMASUS stakeholder board.

Day 2 (March 6, 2026):

Stakeholders and project partners discussed the outcomes of the LAMASUS roadshow events and case studies, with presentations from Claudia Magnapera (ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences) on the German use-case, Emilien Veron (INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay) on the French roadshow event, Klaus Mittenzwei (Ruralis) reporting on the roadshow event in Norway, Walter Rossi Cervi (Wageningen University & Research) on the Netherlands case-study.

Following the sessions on Day 1, discussions led by Franz Sinabell (WIFO) and Nico Polman (Wageningen University & Research) about the work towards the LAMASUS declaration on land-use policies continued.

In a second breakout session, participants brainstormed on what does it mean to successfully deliver land use policies for the next CAP, focusing on 3 pillars:
-Agricultural policy
-Nature conservation/restauration policy
-Forest policy

The day ended with a definition of the next steps to deliver the LAMASUS vision.

Photos: Claudia Magnapera (Zurich University of Applied Sciences), Emilien Veron (INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay), reporting on the French roadshow event, Klaus Mittenzwei (Ruralis), Walter Rossi Cervi (Wageningen University & Research).

LAMASUS Roadshow: Austria

On February 9, 2026, the second event of the LAMASUS roadshow titled “Land-use changes and alpine agriculture” (“Landnutzungsänderungen und alpine Landwirtschaft“) was organized by project partners BOKU, IIASA and WIFO, bringing together researchers, policymakers and field practitioners in Austria.

The objectives of the event were to discuss:

• A selection of results from the LAMASUS project to Austrian stakeholders
• The effectiveness of the LAMASUS methods of presenting the results
• The key elements of the challenges faced by alpine agriculture
• The agricultural and environmental policy process

During the morning sessions, project partners Sara Aref-Zahed (WIFO), Tamás Krisztin (IIASA, coordinator), Verena Kröner (BOKU), Franz Sinabell (WIFO) and Michael Wögerer (IIASA) presented LAMASUS project and results, gave an interim review of the project. The afternoon was dedicated to work in small groups on the topic of the impetus for CAP as well as integrated rural development and the contribution of agriculture. The groups worked on identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges.

Final LAMASUS Stakeholder Board workshop

5-6 March 2026

The final LAMASUS stakeholder board workshop will take place on March 5-6, 2026 at the European Research Executive Agency (REA) in Brussels, to discuss the future of EU land-use and climate policies.

During the event, LAMASUS will inform stakeholders about:

• scenario results
• findings from case-studies and roadshows
• recent changes in land-use policies in the EU
• new and ongoing reform process in the EU

The aim will also be to collect stakeholders’ reflection on LAMASUS results and outcomes, and on the process of stakeholder interaction. The outcomes of the workshop will be transformed into a tangible output: the LAMASUS declaration on land-use policies in Europe.

LAMASUS Policy Brief “Organic farming as a key driver of a more climate-resilient and sustainable EU agriculture”.

LAMASUS researchers published a new  policy brief highlighting how organic farming can be a key driver of a more climate-resilient and sustainable EU agriculture system.

In the document, they highlight that:
– Organic farming boosts hashtagclimate-resilience by reducing dependence on chemical inputs and helping farms adapt to rising climate risks.
– Adoption depends on place and markets: uptake is strongest where environmental constraints exist and where stable demand, processing capacity, and proximity to cities support viability.
– Clustering matters: organic farms are more resilient and persistent when they operate near other organic farms, highlighting the value of targeted, region-specific policy support.

In conclusion, scaling organic farming isn’t one-size-fits-all: smart, region-specific policy support, combined with strong market access, can unlock organic farming’s full potential for climate resilience, environmental performance, and economic stability in EU agriculture. These findings support the new CAP and the Vision for EU Agriculture and Food by linking environmental performance with economic resilience.

LAMASUS Roadshow: France

On 19 January 2026, the first event of the LAMASUS roadshows titled “Hedgerows Study Day” was organized by project partner INRAE and University Paris-Saclay, bringing together researchers, policymakers and field practitioners to explore the role of hedgerows in agriculture, biodiversity and public policy. The event examined hedgerows from multiple perspectives, combining scientific research, public action and field experience.

The morning sessions focused on current research, highlighting hedgerows as both ecological infrastructures and social objects, their historical evolution, and the role of organic farming in their preservation. This was followed by discussions on public policies, including national strategies, governance tools and support mechanisms for hedgerow protection and restoration.

In the afternoon, practitioners and local stakeholders shared field experiences, addressing issues such as large-scale hedgerow planting, land-use conflicts and legal challenges. The final thematic block explored ecosystem services, with presentations on carbon storage potential, biodiversity impacts and methods for assessing environmental externalities.

The day concluded with an interactive discussion workshop and a wrap-up session, fostering dialogue between research, policy and practice. Overall, the event highlighted the strategic importance of hedgerows in supporting sustainable agricultural systems, climate action and biodiversity conservation in France and Europe.

Visit the webpage of the event: in English or in French.

LAMASUS 6th Newsletter

In this edition of the LAMASUS newsletter, discover more about main achievements, events and milestones of the second half of 2025:

• The position paper jointly written with ACT4CAP27 and BrightSpace projects
• New resources and tools availbale for stakeholders: the LAMASUS portal, Policy Brief, LUM Drivers and Knowledgebase
• Publications and events
• Our collaboration with other EU projects in the field

Successful evaluation of the progress following the end of the second reporting period

Following the second Reporting Period of the LAMASUS project on August 31, 2025, LAMASUS coordinators, WP-leaders and project partners worked on the Technical and Financial Periodic Reports, successfully delivered this fall. 

The project was also evaluated by experts from the European Commission via an online review meeting held on November 11, 2025. The evaluation highlighted the excellent results and impact of the project activities, active engagement of external stakeholders and collaboration with other EU projects.

We thank the Project Officer and reviewers for the fruitful discussions and guidance for the upcoming Period and all project partners.

LAMASUS coordinators and WP-Leaders presented the progress of the second reporting period to the EU project officer and external experts (online).

LAMASUS / BrightSpace / Tools4CAP Summer School 2026: applications are open

The second edition of the Summer School will take place on 8-12 June 2026 at the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis in Laxenburg, Austria. The 2026 edition is co-organized by the LAMASUS project, the BrightSpace project and the Tools4CAP project.

Interested participants can submit their application by January 31, 2026. Click on the button below to learn more and apply!

Tamás Krisztin (IIASA) participated in a workshop on market outlooks and policy implications hosted by the Forum for Agriculture 2025

On November 6-7 2025, the Forum for the Future of Agriculture (ForumforAg) hosted a workshop on market outlooks and policy implications, to discuss the OECD-FAO newest report covering the 2025-2034 perspective, and the outlook for arable crops and livestock plus look at the environmental footprint and policy implications, with a special focus on Europe.

Tamás Krisztin (IIASA), technical coordinator of LAMASUS, presented the multi-model and multi-project approach shared between LAMASUS, BrightSpace and ACT4CAP27 projects, and that is key to ensuring robust and consistent evidence for EU policy processes. Tamás also presented the joint perspective paper developed by researchers of the 3 projects: Sustainable Agricultural Sector: A Key Component of EU Economic Prosperity and Security – An Economic Modellers’ Perspective.