With the recent political events in the EU, FoodDrinkEurope is providing policymakers with a sustainability roadmap.

Their guide outlines strategies to empower the European food and drink industry, aiming for global leadership in sustainability, innovation, and economic performance while ensuring food safety, affordability, and security.

Food Investment and Resilience Plan Takes Centre Stage

FoodDrinkEurope presented their updated Food Investment and Resilience Plan at their #FoodFuture Ideas Fest in Brussels. Over 800 stakeholders attended and discussed the future of food.

Dirk Jacobs, Director General of FoodDrinkEurope, stated: “The food and drink sector is vital to the EU’s ambitions, driving growth, sustainability, and food security. With the right support, we have the ability to significantly enhance Europe’s competitiveness, provide societal stability, and invest in resilient food systems. Close engagement with our sector will therefore be critical for policymakers in the coming term.”

Mr Jacobs underlined the industry’s scale and impact: “Our sector consists of nearly 300,000 businesses, with nine out of ten employing fewer than 20 people. Yet they contribute €110 billion in wages annually, purchase 70% of all EU farm produce, and invest over €2 billion in innovative, sustainably-produced products.”

Policy Recommendations for a Brighter Food Future

• EU Food Investment Strategy: This strategy aims to bridge funding gaps, encourage public-private investment, and stimulate advancements in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, packaging recycling, and digital infrastructure.
• Faster Risk Assessment and Approvals: Increased capacity within EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) would simplify approvals for sustainable food solutions, promoting innovation within the EU.
• Regulatory Streamlining and Competitiveness Checks: Simpler regulations, reporting processes, and competitiveness checks for proposed laws would uphold Single Market principles, ensure fairness throughout the supply chain, and promote positive social and environmental outcomes.
• A Dedicated EU Food Leader: An Executive Vice-President for Agri-Food would acknowledge the strategic importance of food and champion strong leadership for sustainable food systems.
• Collaborative Policymaking: Ongoing dialogue between policymakers and industry experts is crucial for developing sound and future-proof policies.

Food as a Pillar of European Stability

Marco Settembri, President of FoodDrinkEurope, says: “Our sector employs 4.6 million people. Our turnover is equivalent to the combined GDP of Ireland and Belgium. We are central to the EU’s sustainable growth strategy.”

Mr Settembri added, “A robust food and drink industry is critical not only for economic stability but also for security. Ensuring access to high-quality, affordable food and drink is essential for a stable and peaceful Europe. Our industry and supply chain at large must be resilient to global shocks and capable of feeding everyone sustainably.”

FoodDrinkEurope also announced an updated Action Project for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems, which outlines concrete initiatives to reach ambitious sustainability targets. These measures include guidelines, toolkits, webinars, and collaborations designed to equip food and beverage industries, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to actively engage in the transition to sustainable food systems.

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Source: FoodDrinkEurope