The European Union is reshaping its approach to Africa, hoping to promote long-term sustainable food systems and help their people cope with the side-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ambitious climate goals embedded in the EU’s flagship environmental policy, the Green Deal, have brought sustainability to the top of the EU-Africa agenda even when it comes to farming.
Challenges for rural people created by the pandemic and the need to better protect local foodstuffs are also in the spotlight of the EU’s action in Africa.
In this special report, EURACTIV takes stock of the new priorities in the EU-Africa partnership and looks at what lies ahead.
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EU and Africa step up co-operation on agri-business amid pandemic
When the European Commission and African Union set up a joint rural Africa taskforce in May 2018, their priorities were to promote African food security, climate change adaption and investment in the continent’s agri-business. Its work towards those aims in African agri-business has been accelerated this year by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Africa needs a Farm to Fork vision too, IFAD official says
Africa needs a 'Farm to Fork' vision to change its food systems in a more sustainable way and the EU can be at the centre of this transformation, according to a senior official of the UN fund for rural agriculture.
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EU-Africa move in step on Geographical indications revolution
The enormous tradition and diversity in African agricultural products may benefit from the use of the intellectual property tool for food protection that Europeans have been held most dear.
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EU-Africa partnership needed for transformation of food systems, says experts
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the need for EU-African collaboration is more important than ever in the drive to strengthen and transform food systems, but care must be taken to make it an equitable partnership, experts have stressed.
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CAP gets too much flak for effects on developing countries, says expert
Critics of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy’s (CAP) for its effect on developing African countries have an exaggerated view of its importance outside Europe, although some specific areas and particular products remain a cause for concern, according to a CAP expert.
