salv

SALV, the Strategic Advisory Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, is a public advisory body that advises the Flemish Government and the Flemish Parliament on agriculture and fisheries in the broad sense. Its role is to help shape policy by bringing together stakeholders, the middle field, and policymakers around issues that affect the primary sector and the wider agro-food chain. The council positions itself as transparent, well-founded, agile, and consensus-oriented. It works across a broad policy agenda that includes climate-smart agriculture, farm economics, rural development, environment and nature, spatial planning, fisheries, and food policy. SALV also frames its work around long-term transition and future-oriented policy development. Through its future-work approach and thematic advice, it aims to support a sustainable future for agriculture and fisheries in Flanders. Key Offerings Policy advice and reports : SALV publishes advice, reports, and agreements on agriculture, fisheries, food policy, environment, spatial planning, and related policy areas. These publications are intended to inform Flemish decision-makers with structured, evidence-based recommendations. Stakeholder dialogue and consensus-building : The council stimulates dialogue between representative organisations, interested parties, and policymakers to build shared understanding and workable policy positions. Future-oriented strategic reflection : SALV develops vision notes, dialogue processes, and analytical frameworks to explore long-term challenges and opportunities for Flemish agriculture and fisheries. Thematic policy input : Through topic-specific work on climate, economy, rural areas, nature, fisheries, and food, SALV provides targeted input on concrete policy files and sector developments. Core Values Transparency : SALV states that it works transparently, making its advice and reports publicly available and grounding its positions in documented processes. Evidence-based reasoning : The council emphasizes well-founded advice, using analysis, reports, and structured frameworks to support its recommendations. Dialogue and consensus : A central value is bringing different actors together and encouraging dialogue that can lead to broadly supported policy outcomes. Adaptability : SALV describes itself as agile, reflecting a willingness to respond to changing sector conditions and emerging policy challenges. Sustainability : Across its themes, SALV consistently focuses on a sustainable future for agriculture and fisheries, including climate, environment, and long-term resilience. Unique Aspects Official advisory role in Flanders : SALV is the formal strategic advisory council for agriculture and fisheries, advising both the Flemish Government and the Flemish Parliament. Broad policy scope : Its remit extends beyond farming and fishing to include food policy, spatial planning, environmental issues, rural policy, and the socio-economic position of the sector. Structured future-work framework : SALV has developed a four-part toetsingskader for sustainable change in agriculture, which it uses as a compass for assessing policy developments. Sector-wide representation : For food policy in particular, SALV highlights its broad composition, bringing together representatives from the full agro-food chain, including consumers and research. Cross-sector co-creation on marine and nature files : Recent advice shows SALV working jointly with other councils such as Minaraad, SERV, and SARO on complex files like nature restoration, while also stressing co-creative approaches for marine restoration and fisheries space.