20/04/2020

Organic in the SAPEA report

The recently published Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA) report “A sustainable food system for the European Union” takes an integrated systems-based approach when identifying “‘workable paths’ to deliver an inclusive, ‘just’ and timely transition to an EU sustainable food system”.

The report presents organic as one of the pathways leading towards a more sustainable food system. It focuses on the Danish organic market, referred to as “the most successful organic food market in the world”. Prior to delving into the Danish example, SAPEA contributors write that although EU countries had similar instruments at their disposal when it comes to organic farming, the use of these instruments are different on the ground. The report underlines that success in Denmark is partly due to the fact that the Danish government intervened from the outset, both on the supply side and the demand side, to facilitate the development of an organic food sector. More information on this Danish success from page 136 onwards!

In its report, SAPEA highlights the fragmented legislative framework surrounding food policies and related policies, like health policies. It advocates for “strong leadership to integrate actors across all parts of the food system, highlighting the need for better-coordinated governance”. SAPEA also highlights agriculture’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the negative impact of meat consumptions on health, and the need to address food waste to meet the global demand for food by 2050.

Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA) brings together outstanding expertise in engineering, humanities, medicine, natural and social sciences from over 100 academies, young academies and learned societies across Europe. SAPEA is part of the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism.

 
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