The European Coordination Via Campesina and thirty-two other organisations that defend consumer interests and animal welfare in agriculture, environment and fisheries policies are calling for the appointment of a Vice-President whose mission within the future European Commission would be "to ensure the transition to sustainable food systems”.
In an open letter sent on Wednesday 8 May to the top candidates of the main European political parties for the European elections, these organisations - including Greenpeace, ARC2020, and Slow Food Europe - believe that the European Union should develop an “integrated European food policy” during the next legislative term, rather than the current sectoral approach (agriculture, fisheries, health, etc.).
The organisations advocate reforming food systems to address the “threats” facing the EU. This reform will ensure, according to the authors of the letter, “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”.
This reform will also ensure that farmers and fishermen have a decent income, the organisations stress.
To read the letter: http://bit.ly/2LJOlGX. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)