IFOAM EU calls for an integrated EU food policy and more sustainable food systems in open letter to recently confirmed Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

Developing an integrated EU food policy and appointing a European Commission Vice President responsible for ensuring the sustainability of our food systems. These demands were put forward on 16 July by more than 30 associations in an open letter to the recently confirmed president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

In this open letter IFOAM EU and other stakeholders urge for a transition towards sustainable food systems which will “ensure the ecological transition necessary to tackle climate change impacts, water scarcity, soil degradation, biodiversity collapse, fish stock depletion, animal welfare, chemical pollution, and food waste and loss”. To achieve this transition we urgently need an integrated common food policy and a new governance system.

The second demand of the letter focuses on the appointment of a European Commission Vice-President responsible for ensuring the sustainability of our food systems. The Vice-President should have a mandate to coordinate the efforts of the different Directorates impacting our food system. These include the DGs AGRI, CLIMA, COMP, EMPL, ENERGY, ENVI, GROW, MARE, SANTE, TRADE, and TRANSPORT.

The time for action is now if the EU wants to reclaim public policy for the public good, rebuild public confidence in the European project, and put the EU on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.