A comparative view of the level of agricultural sustainability – The case of European Union member states

Abstract

The paper aims to fill the research gap in monitoring agriculture's sustainable development in the European Union (EU) member states. The assessment used a synthetic index based on indicators related to three dimensions: economic, social and environmental. The surveys have a high practical value. Not only did they reveal differences between member states regarding agricultural sustainability, but they also captured the areas of utmost attention to particular countries. The countries were classified into four groups based on the synthetic measure. Member states with the highest level of sustainability in the agricultural sector were Austria, Estonia, Belgium and Czechia. Study outcomes also made it possible to identify the indicators with the strongest impact on the four groups of countries. These included the area under organic farming, ammonia emission, pesticide sales, and labour productivity. Due to the differentiation of agriculture in the EU, the member states largely need to undertake measures towards sustainable development in this sector.