Why the European Agricultural Model isn’t All it’s Cracked Up to Be

The European approach to agricultural regulation is often seen as a model of success, notes Bill Wirtz, senior policy analyst for the Consumer Choice Center based in Washington, D.C.

“But I’m here to tell you—it’s not the case.”

Wirtz, who hails from Luxembourg, recently spoke at the CrossRoads Crop Conference in Edmonton, and doesn’t mince words when it comes to the European Union’s agricultural policies. He believes they’re not only problematic for Europe but could pose a threat to Canada in terms of trade, perception, and policy influence.

“There’s this idea that Europe has things figured out, and if only you replicated their model, you’d achieve greatness,” he says. “That’s simply not true.”

Understanding the EU: A Labyrinth of Complexity
“Who here thinks they understand how the European Union works?” Wirtz asks, smirking. “Nobody does—not even the people who work in it.”

Wirtz highlights the EU’s tangled structure, which includes the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Council, and the Council of Europe—all distinct entities with overlapping roles. “It’s so complicated that even protesters aren’t sure which building they’re supposed to picket.”

This complexity, he argues, isn’t just historical—it’s deliberate. “Policies are designed to obfuscate responsibility. When something goes wrong, it’s always someone else’s fault.”