foodwatch International’s Post

We join the EU Food Policy Coalition in calling on the next European Commission to make the transition to #SustainableFoodSystems a high political priority. Cities expect the future European mandate to involve them in prioritising equitable access to affordable and healthy food, driving sustainable food practices, and supporting initiatives that involve all relevant stakeholders in the #FoodSystem. Cities need better EU Food Policies! Read our joint letter to President Ursula von der Leyen → https://lnkd.in/e-Uiw2th #LocalFutureEU

We currently find ourselves in a very #polarized society where we have returned to the traditional #confrontation of opposing views. For UNESDA - Soft Drinks Europe it is clear that we have to remain focused on our common goal of building a more #sustainable and #healthier #food and #drink environment for consumers. However, it is time for a fresh approach which is based on a renewed #dialogue and stronger #collaboration among stakeholders. The world around us is not standing still and slowly, but surely, we will have completely eroded the #competitiveness of our industry if we continue with "business-as-usual". That does not mean I advocate for "no rules/legislation", but instead we need better legislation that also creates the necessary #enabling conditions for our industry to thrive. UNESDA - Soft Drinks Europe represents a sector that takes its #responsibility when it comes to addressing concerns related to the environment and health; that is something that will never change! The 2024 European elections present an opportunity to steer the EU towards greater policy #stability and sustainable progress, while enhancing its role in addressing the needs and aspirations of consumers and helping businesses to thrive. The EU's political approach should address the complexities of the environment in which we live and be highly strategic, based on consistent dialogue and thorough impact assessments. Read my opinion article in The Parliament Magazine.

What are the most urgent #FoodSystems challenges in Europe that decision-makers should prioritise? As the newly elected European Parliament prepares to take office, we are at a pivotal moment for the future of Europe’s food system. There is an opportunity to elevate the push for a policy framework that ensures our food systems are sustainable, resilient, healthy, and competitive. However, as witnessed in the previous parliamentary term, political gridlock poses significant challenges. Key food policy initiatives linked to the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy have faced delays and dilution. We believe the immense environmental, economic, and social challenges we face can act as a unifying force. The clock is ticking. ⏰ Learn more about seven food system opportunities and challenges confronting the new Parliament in our new blog 📜https://lnkd.in/dsMZUQh5 How can we help ensure a better #FutureOfFood? #ImprovingFoodTogether #EUFoodPolicy #SustainableFood #EuropeanGreenDeal #FarmToFork #FoodSystemTransformation #HealthyEating #RegenerativeFoodSystems #ClimateAction

We're almost two weeks into the election campaign and food has barely had a look-in. Nor for that matter has the climate/environment, save for some peripheral discussion of river pollution and energy security. At the same time, the calling of an election has - for now at least - scuppered a range of government policy pledges from being delivered including a long-awaited land use framework, reform to public sector food procurement and new deforestation regulations. It also further muddies the waters where packaging reform is concerned. My latest Political Print for #Footprint asks whether food/environmental affairs will become a talking point during the final four weeks of the campaign? It certainly should do given that climate change and the environment rank fourth among the issues considered most important by voters while food is overwhelmingly cited by people as chief among their cost of living concerns. I also assess a new UK food security index that - somewhat puzzlingly - excludes extreme weather as a short-term risk factor but does include share of global cereals and soyabeans internationally traded. 🙄 More positively, a new Hope Farm statement sees businesses like Bidfood, Nestlé and Danone join NGOs in calling on the incoming government to publish an ambitious food and farming strategy within its first 100 days of taking office including a multifunctional land use framework and mandatory public reporting by food companies of sales data on health and sustainability metrics. https://lnkd.in/eTE5syHj

This is Important

🗣️ Today the European Commission hosts day 2 of #Food2030EU, a conference dedicated to supporting green and resilient #FoodSystemsTransformation, and it could not be more timely.   Our food systems today are rooted in the destructive and self-defeating models of extractivism and over-exploitation of #NaturalResources. This is not only at the root of massive #BiodiversityLoss, but is also fuelling crises around our #health and #FoodSecurity 🚨   🍃The EEB's Faustine Bas-Defossez joins the panel today to discuss strengthening food systems resilience. She makes it clear that "it is key for the institutions to unequivocally and publicly stand by the evidence and research that is developed by the scientific services that they host."   The European Commission must listen to the clear and overwhelming scientific consensus that urgent and radical change is needed, and fulfil its promise and duty to people and planet by publishing its proposal on a #SustainableFoodSystemsLaw (#SFSL).   EEB recommendations for the SFSL 👇 https://lnkd.in/eytKcG93   Joint recommendations with EU Food Policy Coalition 👇 https://lnkd.in/eUNYFXQa   Why Europeans are demanding food systems change 👇 https://lnkd.in/eDE-V99z

Food should be in the spotlight of any election! 🗳️🍽️ What do you think? Have you ever considered how your vote on election day can influence our food systems? Who you vote for determines whether new policies promote sustainable consumption patterns or not. Take the EU's Farm to Fork Strategy, for instance. It’s a positive step towards a more sustainable food system. However, the EU still needs to adopt measures like the Sustainable Food System Framework to ensure that healthier, more sustainable food becomes the easiest and most affordable option for all consumers. In just 2 weeks, European citizens will vote for their next European Parliament. The new Members of the EU Parliament will shape future policies affecting agriculture, food safety, and sustainability. It’s more important than ever to vote for candidates who will help build a more sustainable future for our food system and our planet. Join us in advocating for stronger policy action on food and agriculture in the EU. Together, we can build a healthier, more sustainable future for all. This June, #UseYourVote! Share your thoughts about the upcoming EU election in our poll ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q02yhd110 #ProVeg #FoodSystems #EU #Farm2Fork

Food system issues have moved higher up the political and public agenda in the last decade or so. However, in the UK general election manifestoes, food is on the periphery. Would love to hear your thoughts on why that is, and what can be done to raise its profile... "Start with food and good things will surely follow. Yet if we assume party leaders rank the issues in their general election manifestos in order of importance, we soon see food issues are two-thirds of the way down most priority lists. On average, food and Farming are a mere ‘chapter 12 of 18’ issue in the manifestos of the major political parties." Check out my latest column for the Grocer here: https://lnkd.in/e98zSxn9

A new EU report indicates that Ireland saw the lowest increase in food items among all EU member states, between the years of 2012 to 2022. Read More: https://bit.ly/3RPYctx #IrishFood #FoodNews #FoodIndustry

The EU election in June are scaring those who truly believe in the importance of strategies such as the Farm to Fork, that after the election could end up in a limbo with no way out. It is interesting to notice the presence here of important good food practices as in Italy, because in Italy for example, at the moment, the debate on the next EU election is basically noone. And the government has recently removed any funds destined to the prevention and cure of food dysorders.