Sustainable food systems
EFSA report offers snapshot into pesticide residues on food
EFSA published its annual report on pesticide residues found in food in the European Union on Thursday (2 April) which found that the food commodities analysed were “unlikely to pose concern for consumer health.”
Innovation spurred by COVID-19 crisis highlights ‘potential of small-scale farmers’
the recent coronavirus outbreak has put an enormous strain on the EU whole agri-food sector and especially on small-scale producers. However, farmers have been rapidly innovating to create novel means of selling their produce to keep themselves afloat.
EPP calls for further postponement of Farm to Fork strategy
The European People's Party (EPP) group has called for another postponement of the planned Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F) until at least after the summer, citing the "crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic", but its position has been met with criticism from some stakeholders.
COVID-19: France calls unemployed to work in fields as borders stay closed
The French government has called on the technically unemployed French to make themselves available to help farmers with seasonal harvests. But such 'agricultural patriotism' does not bode well with the tightening of containment. EURACTIV France reports.
Embracing innovation for a stable and secure food supply
Amid the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, Europe must invest in innovation to enhance food security, as the ongoing crisis has laid bare the vulnerabilities of our seemingly strong system, writes Igor Teslenko.
Coronavirus puts on hold unveiling of new EU food policy
The launch of the new EU food policy, the Farm 2 Fork strategy (F2F), will be delayed at least by another month in light of a rescheduling of the Commission's work programme due to coronavirus outbreak.
EU’s draft food policy to address livestock farming emissions, animal welfare
The latest draft of the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), obtained by EURACTIV, features a few notable changes from the previous version, including an emphasis on the possible role of animal farming in the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and on options for animal welfare labelling.
No needless overlap between F2F and circular economy plans, Sinkevicius says
EU environment chief Virginijus Sinkevičius insists there will be no unnecessary overlap between the new circular economy plan and the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), as new EU food policy will be focused more on the agricultural and food production side.
LEAK: EU’s Farm to Fork strategy will be based on five key targets
In addition to longstanding objectives like the reduction of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the European Commission envisages setting three more targets in its new flagship food policy, EURACTIV can reveal.
Food supplements for healthier citizens and a stronger economy in the EU
Food supplements can improve public health and reduce pressure on the sustainability of healthcare systems in the EU. However, to achieve the full potential of the sector, the EU needs a clear political strategy and stable legislative framework write MEPs Simona Bonafè and Pascal Arimont.
Nestlé chief: EU’s Green Deal should ensure prosperity too
The announced EU food policy should also strive to create future prosperity for businesses in good harmony with the environment, not only to take policies against some parts of the food value chain, Nestlé Europe chief Marco Settembri told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Commission wants ‘realistic targets’ for pesticide, fertilisers cuts- Kyriakides
Speaking before the parliamentary committee on the Environment (ENVI), Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides confirmed that the new EU food policy, the Farm 2 Fork Strategy (F2F), will feature legislative actions too and that there will be specific targets for the reduction of both risk and use of pesticides.
EFSA chief: Assessing fast-changing agrifood innovation is key challenge [Part I]
Being equipped with the right methods to assess industry’s rapidly changing innovation will be a key challenge for the European Food Safety Agency, (EFSA), Bernhard Url, the EU food watchdog's chief, told EURACTIV.com in a wide-ranging interview.
NFU Chief: New immigration policy could ‘severely impact UK farming sector’
The UK government has come under fire from farmers and industry groups for failing to adequately consider the impact of its proposed new immigration policy on the UK agricultural sector.
Europe aims to make its food a global green standard, despite trade concerns
Ahead of a much-anticipated ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy to accompany the EU Green Deal, some EU policymakers say Europe’s food should be protected from American pressure.
Sustainable Food Systems: Does the EU ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy have all the answers?
As the food sector strives to move towards more sustainable food systems and implementing the United Nations SDGs, it faces growing challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and malnutrition, all affecting the sector and society alike.
Malaysia relies on sustainable palm oil to keep entry into European market
Malaysia is to send a delegation to Europe by the end of February to present its newly adopted measures to make palm oil production sustainable, in a move that aims to circumvent a potential European Union ban on palm oil by 2030.
Renew Europe vows to break ‘taboos’ in EU agriculture
The centrist Renew Europe group in the European Parliament aims to “break taboos” in the agricultural sector, according to one of its Czech deputies, Martin Hlaváček.
Commission bemused by consumer information conundrum
The European Commission has started sketching the new EU-wide food labelling scheme, expected to be proposed in the context of the new Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F), but the debate over what kind of information to provide to consumers has just started.
Sinkevicius: EU aims to ensure viable food packaging recycling by 2030
The Circular Economy Action Plan and the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F) have the same overarching objective of reducing unsustainable resource use by promoting sustainable production and consumption and reducing waste generation, Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius told EURACTIV.
Industry’s pathway to more sustainable food systems
As the largest manufacturing sector in the EU, the food and drink industry will be a key stakeholder in the European Green Deal discussions, especially when it comes to the Farm to Fork Strategy. Hubert Weber, president of FoodDrinkEurope, outlines the food and drink sector’s route to more sustainable food systems.
MEP: Green Deal should ensure EU food sector’s competitiveness
With the new European Green Deal, all actors across the food chain will need to adjust to new EU standards. But policymakers also have to make sure EU industry is protected against unfair competition, MEP Maria Spyraki told EURACTIV.com.
French MEP calls for ‘realism’ in Farm to Fork strategy
The plant protection part of the upcoming Farm to Fork strategy should take a realistic and science-based approach that allows farmers to “explore all possible solutions”, French conservative MEP Anne Sander told EURACTIV.
EU farmers tread carefully on Green Deal, as balance with CAP is not easy stuff
Policymakers are being called to take up the challenge of finding a place for bloc’s farm aid provided under the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the ambitious new environmental flagship policy of the European Commission.Supporter
FoodDrinkEurope is the organisation of Europe’s food and drink industry. The EU food and drink industry employs 4.72 million people, with a turnover of €1.2 trillion, and €236 billion in value-added. As Europe’s largest manufacturer, we are committed to ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for all.
#SustainableFoodEU
As Europe's largest manufacturer, we are determined more than ever to help address global challenges by moving towards more sustainable food systems and implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Building on our efforts and achievements to date, we will work collectively to ensure:
- A greener planet
- Healthier living
- A thriving economy
Read more about our pathway towards more sustainable food systems here.
Industry working with farmers
The food and drink industry builds long-term partnerships with Europe’s farmers to secure a local agricultural supply, creates value and develops market opportunities for agricultural products and connects farmers and consumers in the food chain.
Find out more in our latest report.
"Small Scale, Big Impact": Europe"s food and drink SMEs
Out of 294,000 food and drink companies in Europe, 99% are SMEs, representing €531 billion in turnover (almost half of the entire industry). They are present in every region and stand for both tradition and innovation in our industry. They are also at the heart of the Single Market. They may be small in scale, but they are big in impact. They may be small in scale, but they are big in impact.
They may be small in scale, but they are big in impact.