The complexities of European strategy design – The case of agriculture

In this paper we intend to analyse a number of agricultural documents to see if they mesh with the EU’s sustainable development policy. The documents in question were prepared at different times and involved different organizations which reflected the interests of various social and economic stakeholders. After demonstrating the still existing conflict between the Lisbon and the Gothenburg Strategy, we will summarize the thematic strategies concerning EU agriculture. The relationship between agricultural policy and the two basic strategies may have implications for other sectoral strategies (e.g. energy, transport, tourism). If the EU is subsequently able to make headway regarding its strategies, it will also facilitate resolution of this problem at the national strategy level. We will review how the documents’ content concurs or differs regarding the EU’s sustainable development strategy. Finally we will analyse the factors causing the differences and the contradictions and suggest conditions leading to harmony.