Regional Paper - Europe
Europe redefines its agro-food policies
What is the European piece of the problem?
The European Union is a global player in production, processing, consumption and trade of food. However, its 27 member states are all together net- importers of farm and food products. A very high percentage of feedstuff consumed in the EU is imported. Based on these imports and on various forms of subsidies, exports of processed meat, milk and cereals are encouraged. Feedstuff imports and subsidies both favour specialization and concentration of production in just a few areas of the EU. The food system of the EU is therefore not sustainable. It highly depends on imports and public aid, it splits rural regions and farmers into a few winners and many losers and it undermines the food systems in other regions of the world.
Even though the historic objectives of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) of the EU stressed food security for consumers and sufficient income for farmers, the EU food system is today dominated by the principle of global competitiveness of its agro-industry. As a consequence, the biological and economical diversity of small scale farming systems, slaughter house facilities and dairy industries which can offer local food supply disappears. An increasing part of food consumers buy is processed. Ever increasing food miles between farm gate and plate disconnect farmers from consumers. This allows retailers and supermarkets to accumulate market power and increase their share of value added to food. On top of this, up to 30 % of food is wasted- although the number of hungry people increases even in Europe.
What are possible European contributions to the solution?
The sufficiency principle would set the priority in a sustainable farming and food distribution system which provides enough and wholesome food for all citizens, a fair income for farmers, and which includes the best possible management of water, soil, biodiversity and landscapes. Reform of the CAP due to be prepared before 2013 therefore must include environmental, employment and public health criteria into the food system and integrate new challenges like climate change into policy objectives and instruments.
On the global level the EU must use its weight in multilateral negotiations like the Kyoto process, trade negotiations and biodiversity convention to go for more ambitious goals to establish global food sufficiency systems. Non-trade concerns like environmental and social standards as well as food sovereignty of the states must be included into these negotiations. Standards for qualified market access, CO2-saving methods in food production and consumption must be promoted both in research and daily practice. Export subsidies have to be abandoned immediately and replaced by efficient and flexible internal demand orientated systems of supply management.
European stakeholders go for global action
We should put our own house in order - while working globally on a food system which is sufficiency based. Food should be carried as a common good and value by producers and consumers. Food prices should internalise all externalized social and environmental costs. Local markets should be the main provider of food. International trade should be based on a fair and climate-friendly organization.
