Brussels, 30/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - Food chain stakeholders, environmental NGOs, agricultural unions and consumer cooperatives have called on the political decision-makers of the EU to promote a coherent approach at European level to the sustainability of the food systems for future generations. The joint declaration they adopted on Tuesday 29 April lays down 32 recommendations for action to improve the consistency of the objectives pursued by the various relevant sectoral policies of the EU - policies in the field of agriculture, fisheries, the environment, consumer health and energy - and within the various platforms of stakeholders. All of this must take account of all social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainability.
This declaration, entitled “Actions towards a more sustainable European food chain”, comes ahead of the publication of a European Commission communication on the sustainability of food systems. The signatories expect the European Commission to show leadership in order to increase the cohesion of the food sustainability policy.
They define the sustainability of food systems as: - the ongoing commitment of food chain players to achieve low environmental impacts whilst contributing to food and nutrition security and to healthy life for present and future generations; - food systems which are protective and respectful of biodiversity and ecosystems, culturally acceptable, accessible, economically fair and affordable, nutritionally adequate, safe and healthy. Sustainability means ensuring human rights and well-being, without depleting or diminishing the capacity of the Earth's ecosystems to support life or at the expense of others' well-being.
The communication on sustainable food, which is expected in the course of this year, will take stock of food waste and reducing the wastage of resources along the entire food chain. (AN)