On Monday 11 May, the European Commissioner for Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, presented an overview of the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy, which is expected to be adopted “next week” by the European Commission (see EUROPE 12482/11).
She advocated a reduction in the use of pesticides, fertilisers and antibiotics in livestock farming, without providing any figures.
Stella Kyriakides told MEPs on the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee that the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy, one of the fundamental components of the European Green Deal, will help to set “a new course”. It will also contribute to the EU recovery plan after the coronavirus pandemic.
“A model based solely on production” is not enough, the Commissioner said. Economic, “environmental, and societal” concerns must all be taken into account.
The strategy will address the priorities stemming from climate change and the protection of biodiversity. She called for a “review of consumption patterns”, reduced food waste, and healthier diets.
“We are looking at legislative and non-legislative initiatives” to enhance the sustainability of all of the links in the food chain, she added. “The goal is to reduce the risks and use of pesticides, [and to] reduce the use of fertilisers and antibiotics”, Kyriakides said.
Among its 26 key initiatives for the food supply chain, the latest version of this Communication, entitled ‘Towards a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system’, includes “recommendations” for each Member State on the nine specific objectives of the forthcoming Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) prior to the submission of their draft strategic plans to the Commission.
The rest of the initiatives on the agenda have changed little from previous versions of the text. Among the others: revision of the pesticide directives (in 2022), harmonisation of mandatory nutrition labelling on packaging (in 2023), and a comprehensive plan for integrated nutrient management to reduce pollution, especially from fertilisers in agriculture (expected in 2022-2023).
There is one new item, however, in connection with the coronavirus epidemic: the creation of an EU Food Safety Observatory to “monitor and report on the Union’s ability to ensure the availability of supplies, covering food production and critical infrastructure, ensuring transparency and coordination in times of food safety challenges”. There is also a contingency plan “to ensure food supply and security in the event of a crisis of any kind”.
The Commission’s other strategy, on biodiversity for 2030, provides more figures on targets for the EU (see EUROPE 12483/10). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)