“The European Commission must support the Member States to intervene to bring energy prices down and increase liquidity on energy markets, diversify energy supply, boost sustainable energy generation, and support the competitiveness of operators”, said EU agri-food chain associations on Thursday 8 September.
Copa-Cogeca, Primary Food Processors (PFP) and FoodDrinkEurope are struggling to stay in business in the face of rapidly rising input costs and extreme weather events, the organisations said in a press release. They call on EU energy ministers to act (see other news).
Over the past year, the European agri-food sector’s production costs have increased dramatically. The price of natural gas, electricity, fertilisers, fuel etc. have all risen.
The latest increases in energy prices, especially natural gas and electricity “threaten the continuity of agri-food production cycles and therefore the ability to continue delivering essential commodities, food ingredient and products, and feed materials”, the organisations warn.
They add that more and more companies in the EU agri-food chain are finding it difficult to stay in business. In addition, a further review of the Temporary Crisis Framework (State aid) is urgently needed to ensure that the Member States and businesses can use it. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)