Commission President, ensure a framework for Sustainable Food Systems
The current EU Commission promised to transition to more sustainable, healthier, and affordable diets. This is both their commitment to EU citizens and critical to combat climate change. So, together with 25 scientists, academics, and NGOs, IFOAM Organics Europe signed an open letter by the Food Policy Coalition.
The open letter to the President Von der Leyen on the EU legislative framework for sustainable food systems and the strategic dialogue on the future of food also reminds the Commission that the strategic dialogue on the future of EU agriculture should stay on course to transition to sustainable food systems – adapted to and mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss.
To ensure this strategic dialogue will enable food system transformation and identify pathways for a just transition it should follow 3 priorities:
- Take a food systems approach: The strategic dialogue must take a holistic food system approach and look at the entire food system, from production to consumption, involving all actors from farmers to food processors and retailers.
- Inclusivity and equal representation: The strategic dialogue should involve civil society at large, businesses from ‘the middle of the chain’, food services, scientists, think tanks, regional and local governments, as well as the public. It should also adhere to the principle of equal representation, to make sure that all stakeholders are listened, including civil society representatives.
- Co-leadership: a cross DG-approach: to establish a unified EU vision for the future of food and food systems, a range of issues must be addressed that extend far beyond the realm of agriculture, including matters related to health, climate, environment, fisheries, and trade. Therefore, collaboration between the different of the Commissions’ Directorate Generals is necessary to ensure policy coherence.
For more information on sustainable food systems, the strategic dialogue and IFOAM Organics Europe’s work on this issue, please visit our website or contact [email protected]. Do note that we prioritise our members’ requests.
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The work of IFOAM Organics Europe on this topic is co-financed by the LIFE programme of the European Union, under the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). This page only reflects the views of the authors and its sole responsibility lies with IFOAM Organics Europe. The CINEA is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided.