Fewer pesticides and a better-informed consumer are two goals of the action plan on which the Commission services are working to give substance to the objectives of the EU ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy for sustainable food, expected in the spring, after March, in the framework of the 'European Green Deal' (see EUROPE 12388/1, EUROPE 12374/8).
To reduce both the use and risks of chemical pesticides, a draft dated 13 January provides for the revision of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (between 2020 and 2022), improving the implementation of the pesticide authorisation procedure, all the while promoting access to the market for low-risk organic pesticides.
The draft also foresees the development of a consumer information system reflecting the environmental and climatic footprint of foodstuffs as well as the harmonisation of nutrition labelling on the front of the package and the possibility of making this labelling compulsory, which is what MEPs supporting the European Citizens' Initiative on the 'Nutri-Score' (see EUROPE 12405/18) are hoping for.
On the other hand, the idea of developing a single food logo that would integrate environmental, economic and social aspects has been deleted from the document.
Also among the catalogue of measures envisaged is the implementation of the new action plan to reduce food waste, with the EU having set itself reduction targets of 30% by 2025 and 50% by 2050 in the revision of the waste directives (see EUROPE 12024/25).
To reduce overpackaging and improve the durability of packaging, the Commission is planning to tighten the requirements of the packaging legislation and to revise the Regulation on Food Contact Materials.
It could also launch a project to quantify, in economic terms, the environmental and health costs associated with the production and consumption of the main food products on the European market. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)