For a sustainable food policy of the European Union. Bolzano’s proposal to the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions.

“Towards a sustainable EU food policy that brings jobs and growth to Europe’s regions and cities.” This is the proposal presented on March 22, 2017 by the president of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Arno Kompatscher (SVP), at the plenary session of the Committee of the Regions
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. European Union Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis was present.

The document provides for the involvement of local realities. It was unanimously approved by all political groups on the committee. It was later forwarded to the Parliament and the Union Commission.

Bolzano’s proposal for a sustainable food policy in the EU

For Kompatscher, it is desirable that cooperation can be initiated between the Committee of the Regions, the European Parliament and the European Commission to initiate concrete actions as soon as possible. Thus the president of the Autonomous Province, “The European Union has new and decisive challenges ahead of it. Food production, seen as an ecosystem, concerns us all. Consequently, it is crucial to create a new and cross-cutting sustainable food policy at the EU level, among other things by changing public procurement regulations so that preference can be given to local products.”

Among the 37 points of the proposal, some very important environmental and socioeconomic issues stand out, in Kompatscher’s own view, which are summarized below.

A common, long-term vision in all relevant policy areas

The Union’s food policy should be conducted broadly and sustainably to properly address food production by promoting suitable production and consumption patterns.

A balance is needed in maintaining the necessary flexibilities, avoiding applying a one-size-fits-all approach to food policy, preventing the nationalization of the policy.

It is important to proceed with the vertical integration of food policies in accordance with sustainability-inspired criteria in order to ensure consistency at local, regional, national and, finally, international levels.

Therefore, it requires the establishment of a vision and strategy for the supply of safe, healthy and sustainable food in terms of quality, quantity and affordability.

It should be kept in mind that the costs associated with diseases caused by poor nutrition, like the damage done to water resources, soils, wildlife and climate are considered externalities and consequently these costs do not enter into the final price of food, although they fall on society as a whole.

It is also necessary not to neglect those particular areas, such as mountain regions, which are important for the further development of sustainable food systems.

Moreover, further revision of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) is needed so that farmers and food producers are incentivized to conduct their business in a sustainable way.

Nor should it be forgotten that the production of biofuels that do not compete with food crops should be encouraged.

As far as the Union is concerned, the Union should be encouraged to conclude free trade agreements with third countries that are compatible with the agro-ecological productions present within the Community. Nor can it fail to appeal to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for the purposes of both disaster risk reduction and building resilience in agricultural sectors.

A healthy ecosystem to support agricultural productivity and resilience

In vulnerable areas and on the outskirts of large cities, small-scale agriculture, which reduces transportation, packaging and CO2 containment, should be encouraged, while encouraging the use of local labor. This would come in handy on the one hand to protect the area and promote its specialties, and on the other hand to create jobs.

Another aspect to emphasize is the importance of pollinating insects, ensuring their survival by taking appropriate measures.

Finally, the development of alternative food networks is to be promoted. Including farmers’ markets, local foods, organic and fair trade products.

Access to healthy diets, particularly for low-income families

Health programs should be initiated to combat obesity and diseases resulting from poor nutrition, favoring local, fresh and seasonal produce. Information campaigns, directing consumers toward diets with a greater plant-based component, come to the rescue to combat obesity.

Lastly: it is necessary to cut red tape when it is an obstacle to the recovery and redistribution of healthy food to people in need.

Standardized definitions, methodologies, and concrete measures

There is a need to: define a comprehensive terminology on sustainable food systems, taking into account the production of agricultural commodities, food processing of food regimes; have a uniform methodology for collecting and reporting data on the environmental impact of food products and food waste; encourage the exchange of best practices, sharing of data on the environmental impact of food products, and more transparent and accessible reporting of information for the entire food supply chain.

The transparency of data on food labels should also be improved. And vigilance and controls of the food sector should be increased.

The guidelines on green public procurement

Public procurement for catering in school canteens and hospitals is a potentially important tool for a more sustainable, local and organic food supply. Therefore, the European Commission should clarify the existing constraints within the framework of its public procurement provisions for the application of sustainability criteria.

The multilevel governance approach in relation to the concept of a sustainable EU food policy

It is the last of the policy recommendations. The establishment of food committees at both regional and local levels for necessary strategic planning processes to reduce the overall environmental impact on the food system is to be welcomed.

In addition, the initiative and management of targeted agri-environmental measures should be entrusted to regional and local authorities. These entities should be allowed to enter into territorial contracts to be signed together with farmers. It should be added that food sustainability policy should be addressed through strong partnerships for local development. Lastly, an increasing number of city initiatives are desirable, citing the Urban Food Policy Pact as an example
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.

The motivational references of the document approved in Brussels

The draftsman of the proposal approved by the Committee of the Regions of the European Union, in the last part presented as motivational, made express reference to the main documentation on the subject drafted by international, European, or national bodies (France) and to the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), premising some data referring to the European Union.

The community framework

According to the latest available data, the European Union is the world’s largest exporter of agricultural products. The agribusiness sector employs 47 million people in 15 million enterprises (3-to-1 ratio). The trade balance shows a positive balance of 17,802 million euros, 7.2 percent of exports.

The model of intensive agriculture

The price of intensive agriculture is high. The EU Commission’s State of the Environment Report released on March 3, 2015
³
warned that Europe was still not on track to halt biodiversity loss as animal and plant habitats continue to disappear.

In particular, marine biodiversity remains at risk.

During 2015 (a year dedicated to “natural capital”), the Commission would supplement the report’s findings with another on the “State of the Natural Environment,” flowing into a mid-term review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and assessment of EU nature conservation legislation to improve effectiveness and reduce administrative burden.

A group of experts from the CSM
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proposed a definition of sustainable food systems. Resources must be deployed at a rate that does not exceed the earth’s ability to replenish them.

There is then cited the UN’s adoption of a set of 17 ambitious, if not wishful, sustainable development goals. To end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all
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.

CAP: The latest CAP reform has so far failed to correct the highlighted imbalances
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.

The European Environmental Bureau has renewed its call for a review of the CAP
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.

On the same wavelength as other international institutions, the European Center for Policy Strategy
⁸
. In July 2016 he drafted a paper entitled, “Sustainability Now: a vision for sustainability.” Document in which more recommendations are made.

Likewise, INRA
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asserts that approaches to agro-ecology, where firmly coupled with innovations on the technological and organizational level, are well suited to provide elements of the answer to both feeding the planet and identifying the necessary environmental, social and health remedies.

Another citation: the European Commission’s publication “Research and Innovation in Europe for Food and Nutrition Security”
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.

The publication “Building a common vision for sustainable food and agriculture” lists five principles that can guide the transition process toward greater sustainability
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.

Lastly, in the recommendations the CPRA (Standing Committee on Agricultural Research), the risks associated with the average diet to the health of individuals, social systems and supporting environmental systems, among others, are highlighted.

The ways of Europe are paved with good intentions.

Not to mention that the news coming out of the U.S., with which Europe must contend, for sustainable food is far from reassuring.

Notes

Bruno Nobile

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