According to a draft text scene by EUROPE on Tuesday 29 November, the European Commission is to present a communication in early December identifying seven factors that affect the capacity of food systems.
The categories include biophysical and environmental factors, technology and innovation, economic and market factors, food and health, innovation, economic and trade factors, food value chain performance, institutional and political factors, socio-cultural factors and demographic factors. The communication does not present an exhaustive analysis of the different drivers within these categories. It aims to highlight those that are particularly relevant in the context of EU food safety today and tomorrow.
The European Commission distinguishes between the drivers that shape the macroeconomic conditions in which food systems exist. “Underlying factors and trends, such as extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, rising input costs, to name but a few, are deeply interconnected and interact with each other in multiple ways throughout the food system”, according to the draft text.
Michael Scannell, deputy director of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture (DG AGRI), told members of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee on Monday 28 November that the study would probably be published in early December.
Experts from the European food security crisis preparedness and response mechanism contributed to the preparation of the study.
Mr Scannell pointed out that, according to experts, rising food prices and climate change are the main challenges to food security in the EU.
He also mentioned the increase in fertiliser prices. Speculation has played a role in the price increase, according to Scannell. Food sovereignty was also mentioned by the Commission, as well as unfair competition (imported products that do not meet EU standards). Mr Scannell confirmed that the European Commission would present a proposal on new plant breeding techniques in 2023, although he acknowledged that stakeholders are divided on the subject of NBTs (New Breeding Techniques).
Herbert Dorfmann (EPP, Italian) regretted the lack of maize on the European market and mentioned speculation which has had an effect on the markets, including that of fertiliser. He advised that more stocks are needed for basic commodities.
Clara Aguilera (S&D, Spanish) spoke of the negative effects of rising food prices on household budgets.
Ulrike Müller (Renew Europe, German) spoke about the negative impact of the proposal on industrial emissions (see EUROPE 13050/12) on the agricultural sector. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)