Learning Across Borders: What the Nature Restoration Law Means for Food and Agriculture
How will the EU Nature Restoration Law affect agriculture—and what does it mean in practice for companies and farmers?
This question sparked a rich discussion in our latest BeeHive session, where representatives from across the food sector came together to share perspectives, experiences, and open questions.
"Maintaining well-functioning biodiversity is a crucial part of the food supply chain. However, it is important to ensure that restoration measures targeted at agricultural environments complement food production, not compete with it."
– Erika Haakana, Valio
This perspective captures one of the central themes of the discussion: how to balance ecosystem restoration with the practical realities of food production in a changing policy landscape.
A shared regulation – but different starting points
The Nature Restoration Law aims to improve ecosystems across Europe—covering everything from forests and peatlands to agricultural and aquatic environments. While the regulation sets ambitious targets, such as restoring degraded habitats over time, implementation is left to individual member states. This creates space for different national approaches—and also uncertainty for businesses operating across borders.
In our discussion, participants from Sweden and Finland reflected on how their countries approached the negotiations with a focus on flexibility and cost implications. At the same time, questions remained about how the regulation is perceived and implemented in Southern Europe.
From policy to practice: challenges and opportunities
A recurring theme was the complexity of translating policy into action. The regulation is not voluntary, and while it targets countries rather than companies directly, its effects will inevitably reach the entire food value chain.
Key questions raised included:
- How can restoration goals be aligned with other frameworks such as climate targets and agricultural policies?
- How will costs be distributed—and who will ultimately carry them?
- How can we balance environmental restoration with food security in an uncertain geopolitical context?
Participants also explored emerging opportunities. For example, the potential to link restoration efforts with carbon or biodiversity credits was seen as particularly relevant for peatlands and semi-natural pastures. There was also curiosity about how regenerative agriculture and agroforestry could contribute to the transition.
The human factor: enabling change on the ground
One of the most important insights from the discussion was that transformation in agriculture is not only technical—it is social.
Shifting from conventional to regenerative practices requires time, financial support, and trust. Farmers face uncertain costs, such as fluctuating fertilizer prices, and need incentives and stability during the transition period.
Several participants highlighted that knowledge sharing is critical—but also challenging. Farmers are more likely to trust and adopt new practices when they learn from each other rather than from large companies or institutions.
Examples shared included:
- Pilot farms demonstrating regenerative practices in real conditions
- Peer-to-peer learning between farmers
- Digital tools, such as virtual farm environments, to make knowledge more accessible
These approaches illustrate how practical, experience-based learning can accelerate change.
Why these conversations matter
What stood out most from the session was not that we had all the answers—but that bringing together different perspectives created new insights.
By connecting companies, countries and roles across the value chain, BeeHive provides a space to:
- Share early experiences and uncertainties
- Explore synergies between regulations and business strategies
- Learn from real-world examples and pilots
- Build a common understanding of complex transitions
Join the conversation
The transition towards more sustainable and resilient food systems is a shared challenge—and no single actor has the full picture.
That is why continued dialogue and knowledge exchange are essential.
If you are working with sustainability, agriculture, or food systems—and want to explore these questions together with peers from across Europe—we invite you to join the BeeHive discussions.