foodwatch International’s Post

Today, I had the privilege of meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a discussion on the future of EU agriculture, together with IFOAM Organics Europe President Jan Plagge, Policy Officer Hanna Winkler, and representatives from #EuropeanCoordinationViaCampesina.   Among others, we discussed about the  role of organic farming in EU agriculture, the role of farmers in the supply chain, and how to make EU farming more sustainable and competitive in an increasingly competitive world. In addition, we emphasized the necessity for less top-down bureaucracy and more bottom-up innovation, recognizing the need for agriculture's centrality to EU democracy and for its resilience despite governmental and institutional changes.                                                                                                                                      We also stated clearly that organic is a long-term EU project, and should therefore serve and be recognized as a flagship initiative for the agri-food sector. Progress in organic does not benefit the organic sector alone but has far-reaching positive effects on the overall farmers and consumers community across Europe.                                                                  🙏 I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this significant dialogue. It is crucial to ensure that organic remains integral to the discussion on the future of agriculture!  🚜 👨🌾 💚 You can find the organic movement's proposals for a vibrant and sustainable EU agri-food system in our recent manifesto📜👉 https://lnkd.in/d8AcUenK #EUorganic2030 #OrganicIsPartOfTheSolution #EUagriculture #EUfood #OrganicAgriculture #SustainbleAgriculture

The EU decision to extend the authorization of glyphosate for a decade demonstrates their confidence in the product's safety and efficacy. This move will provide much-needed stability and certainty for farmers, enabling them to plan their operations with confidence and continue producing high-quality crops. Moreover, this decision aligns with the EU's commitment to sustainable agriculture and the responsible use of crop protection products. By renewing glyphosate's authorization, the EU Commission acknowledges the crucial role it plays in reducing the environmental impact of farming, such as minimizing soil erosion and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is time to celebrate this science-driven decision!

At Robertet, we guarantee our customers complete transparency throughout our supply chain, to offer exceptional raw materials. We carry out CSR audits (UEBT, FFL, etc.) of our supply chains, conducted by independent third-party organizations. These assessments confirm our commitment to respecting human rights and responsible practices, thus reinforcing the trust of our customers. We also encourage and support producers in their transition from conventional to organic farming. FFL- and UEBT-certified producers benefit from support to improve their farming practices, reduce inputs, improve soil fertility and comply with European standards. Currently, we source 1,727 raw materials in over 60 countries, with 55 strategic supply chains certified or audited according to CSR standards. Our aim is to increase the percentage of strategic natural supply chains audited or certified by standards such as UEBT and FFL, integrating pro-biodiversity measures. At Robertet we are seeding new ways to the good and the beautiful. #Robertet_Group #CSR #FFL #UEBT #Natural #Ingredients

Yesterday, we attended the European Dairy Association's Policy Conference, which brought together dairy industry experts from EU countries, regional and national government representatives, and other sectors that rely on Europe's dairy supply chains. When looking to the future and what the EU dairy farming sector could achieve by 2030, business leaders were conscious of the environment, recognising that only a sustainable and resilient sector can bring long term prosperity to farmers. To this end, the dairy sector reiterated the need for farmers to be viewed as part of the solution to achieving environmental sustainability, especially since we would rather our dairy products still be sourced from EU countries. More cross-societal collaboration is therefore necessary because farmers need to be aligned with the expectations of wider society but equally have access to the financial, technological, and policy resources capable of improving sustainability. #NextGenEUDairy #agriculture #dairy #publicaffairs #LykkeAdvice

Daily News: Take Action—Advocates Ask Congress to Include Protections from PFAS Contamination in Farm Bill Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their toxic trail of contamination in the environment are wreaking havoc! Their use in industrial and commercial applications has led to widespread contamination of water and biosolids used for fertilizer—poisoning tens of millions of acres of land while posing a significant threat to the biosphere, public health, gardens, parks, and agricultural systems. [Farmers and rural communities, in particular, bear the brunt of this contamination, as it affects their drinking water, soil quality, livestock health, and personal well-being.] >>Tell Congress that the Farm Bill must include the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act and the Healthy H2O Act to protect farmers and rural communities from PFAS contamination. https://ow.ly/7CNk50QFGfH Led by U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and David Rouzer (R-NC), with U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME), two bills have come to the forefront: 1️⃣ A bipartisan and bicameral bill—the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act—has been introduced to provide financial assistance and relief to those affected by PFAS, mitigate the economic burdens resulting from PFAS-related disruptions, and support research and education initiatives to enhance farmers’ understanding of PFAS risks and best management practices. 2️⃣ A second bill—the Healthy H2O Act—provides grants for water testing and treatment technology directly to individuals and non-profits in rural communities. By allocating resources to support the implementation of effective PFAS filtration systems, it can ensure access to clean and safe water, protecting  human health and agricultural productivity. >>Tell Congress that the Farm Bill must include the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act and the Healthy H2O Act to protect farmers and rural communities from PFAS contamination. https://ow.ly/7CNk50QFGfH Daily News Blog Post: https://ow.ly/b2Ve50QFGfO

Sad day for Europen #soilhealth as EU withdraws critical #farm2fork regulation on lowering #pesticide use by 2030. The irony of not delivering on the #eugreendeal is that it will be farmers, our long term food security and health that will be impacted. The policies need good rethinking of their implementation mechanisms but not their abandonment. We need to tackle #fossilfuels dependance in agriculture. #foodsystems #foodsystemstransformation #climateaction #regenerativeagriculture

🌎📝Addressing the complex issue of European pesticide regulations impacting African farming and agriculture necessitates a comprehensive approach that balances environmental sustainability with socio-economic development. Firstly, fostering open dialogue and advocacy efforts between European and African policymakers, agricultural stakeholders, and international organizations is paramount. This dialogue should raise awareness about the unintended consequences of European pesticide regulations on African agriculture and advocate for policies that consider the unique challenges faced by African farmers. Secondly, investing in capacity building initiatives is crucial to empower African farmers to adopt alternative pest management strategies that comply with European standards. Training programs on integrated pest management, organic farming techniques, and sustainable agriculture practices can enhance farmers' ability to adapt to changing regulatory landscapes. Moreover, promoting research collaboration and innovation between European and African institutions is essential to develop environmentally friendly pest control solutions. This includes exploring biotechnology, crop breeding, and agroecology to address pest-related challenges while minimizing environmental impact. Negotiating fair trade agreements and partnerships that prioritize mutual benefit and equitable trade relations is another key strategy. Harmonizing agricultural policies and regulations between Europe and Africa can facilitate smoother trade flows while maintaining high food safety standards. Investing in agricultural infrastructure, technology, and community empowerment initiatives is also critical. Improving access to irrigation systems, transportation networks, and storage facilities can enhance productivity and market access for African farmers. Additionally, empowering local communities and farmer cooperatives to take ownership of their agricultural development can strengthen resilience to pest outbreaks and promote diversified cropping systems. Addressing the impacts of European pesticide regulations on African farming and agriculture requires a collaborative approach. By combining policy advocacy, capacity building, research innovation, and community empowerment, sustainable solutions can be developed to promote both environmental sustainability and socio-economic development in Africa. ©®📠✉️ [email protected] #EnsuringFoodSecurity #YourFavouriteFarmer 24/7 👑 European Commission African Union African Union of Youth Assembly -AUYA #pesticideban #europeanunion #africanunion #sustainableagriculture #farmingforthefuture

PANNA celebrates the news that the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has officially ended it's LOI with CropLife International (a pesticide industry lobby group). This is an important victory for farmers, farmworkers, and rural communities. From the PAN International statement: "Since the signing of the LoI, over 430 civil society and Indigenous Peoples’ organizations from nearly 70 countries, nearly 200,000 individuals from over 107 countries, 250 scientists and academics, nearly 50 philanthropic groups, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food have called on the FAO to rescind its agreement with CropLife to Stop the #ToxicAlliance.  We have called attention to how the agreement tied the FAO directly to the world’s largest manufacturers of the most deadly pesticides, companies such as Bayer, Syngenta and Corteva. We consistently raised concerns about the #ToxicAlliance in public and formal communications to the FAO leadership and Member States, dialogues with FAO officials, as well as global actions. We believe that such vigilance had a significant impact on how the FAO moved forward with what CropLife claimed was a “strategic partnership agreement.” In its communications with us in the course of this campaign, the FAO has maintained that the LoI did not constitute a formal engagement or partnership, but an “exploratory framework which may, or may not, lead to further engagements.” We commend the FAO leadership for its decision to not further formalize its engagement or partnership with CropLife. We welcome and encourage the role the FAO now plays toward delivering on its commitments in the new Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) and leading the work on implementing these commitments through the Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), in coordination with WHO and UNEP. The FAO has a golden opportunity to show that it will make substantial progress on phasing out the most hazardous pesticides known as HHPs worldwide, and supporting the transition towards sustainable, resilient and equitable production systems under the agroecological paradigm." https://lnkd.in/eaxtt6W8

The reality behind the 'price gap' between animal meat and plant-based 🥩 vs 🥕 Billions of dollars in subsidies are channeled into animal agriculture, while plant-based options see a fraction of that support. This creates an uneven playing field, making meat seem much cheaper than it actually is, putting financial strain on consumers who want to make sustainable choices. Subsidies for animal agriculture not only distort prices but also fuel climate change. Studies show major financiers are pouring money into meat production, hindering sustainability efforts. There is SO much to dig into here, and finally, we are pulling back the curtain to reveal the volume and impact of these subsidies, where they are being channeled, and how this is hindering the potential and accessibility of plant-based options. I've put lots of juicy stuff in here, so have a read and let me know your thoughts. How can we incentivize governments to design a future-proof agricultural subsidy system? #plantbased #sustainability #foodsystems #subsidies

👏Big news!👏Landmark new report from Changing Markets Foundation lays bare the extent of meat industry misinformation - right out of the big oil and big tabacco playbook. This includes: 🚨 Extensive lobbying to block climate policies - e.g. Seven of the 22 companies are spending between €1.8M and €2.4M a year to lobby the EU, where they derailed many landmark sustainable agriculture policies. 🚨 Greenwashing and weak net zero targets - Many spending more on advertising than they do on sustainability R&D 🚨Targeted disinformation campaigns to Gen Z - like hiring social media influencers to promote dairy, and paying schools/teachers pushing pro-meat messages 🚨‘Unproven technofixes’ that taxpayers foot the bill for - like feed additives 🚨Delaying much-needed transition to more plant-based diets - 82% of EU CAP subsidies go to support livestock, mainly to the biggest farms, and the industry wants to keep it that way. Read article: https://lnkd.in/eMrARG8P Full report: https://lnkd.in/ecBpdpR6 #food #meat #plantbased #lessandbettermeat #climatechange #climatecrisis #biglivestock #defundbiglivestock